how do you know if someone's a firearm instructor? because they've already told you 15 times within the first 1 min after meeting them. (or at least once in every thread they post in.) firearms instructors and ego problems go together like muppets and fisting. idk why.
that basic truth has nothing to do with whether or not one should demo live fire. and who cares if they bet students or not? if I say "you should be able to do x by the end of class" and a student tells me x isn't possible, i just might offer them a chance to put their money where their mouth is. i wouldn't start by saying "ok who wants to bet i can do x". that's kinda douchy
as to demoing...
my thoughts are that it depends on what is being demo'd.
basic gun safety and marksmanship: no need to live fire
anything controversial, e.g. point shooting: you'd better be able to demo
anything difficult: you'd better be able to demo
with the following caveats:
if you have augmented your instruction with well produced videos of you demonstrating techniques, then live fire isn't strictly necessary
if you are accomplished and knowledgeable, but for reasons of old age, bad health, injury or whatever, unable to continue performing techniques like you used to, then your credibility and coaching are no less valuable, but you should figure out some way to accomplish what a demo would
that basic truth has nothing to do with whether or not one should demo live fire. and who cares if they bet students or not? if I say "you should be able to do x by the end of class" and a student tells me x isn't possible, i just might offer them a chance to put their money where their mouth is. i wouldn't start by saying "ok who wants to bet i can do x". that's kinda douchy
as to demoing...
my thoughts are that it depends on what is being demo'd.
basic gun safety and marksmanship: no need to live fire
anything controversial, e.g. point shooting: you'd better be able to demo
anything difficult: you'd better be able to demo
with the following caveats:
if you have augmented your instruction with well produced videos of you demonstrating techniques, then live fire isn't strictly necessary
if you are accomplished and knowledgeable, but for reasons of old age, bad health, injury or whatever, unable to continue performing techniques like you used to, then your credibility and coaching are no less valuable, but you should figure out some way to accomplish what a demo would