... What percentage of handgun owners who claim a self defense purpose take the training/practice seriously?
How many people who obtain a driver's license so they can drive a motor vehicle all the time take anything other then the minimal/mandated training needed in order to pass their DMV test in CA?
How many have actually prepared themselves to operate their cars, trucks or motorcycles in unexpected, chaotic & dynamic emergency situations?
Do you really expect gun owners who decide to lawfully carry a concealed weapon to have any more interest in "extra training" to use their firearms than they would their motor vehicles?
Don't mistake my comments to mean I don't think it's a good idea. I've been a LE firearms instructor since '90, and after the laws regarding CCW licenses in CA changed in '99, I became involved in teaching classes created for CCW licensees.
The courts have held that shooting firearms is a perishable skill. The significant majority of gun owners of my acquaintance who lawfully carry concealed weapons as LE or private citizens seem content to stop their training at whatever serves them as a required acceptable minimum.
Granted, the cost of additional training when it comes to taking time from work & family, as well as any involved travel, lodging & meal expenses ... and then the actual cost of the training ... can be a bit difficult or daunting to many folks trying to make ends meet, especially in today's economic conditions.
Then, there's being able to know how to
choose from among the growing number of commercial classes that might give some gun owners pause, as well.
Skillset is important. No doubt about it. Shooting has been held to be a
perishable skill for a reason.
However,
knowing and understanding the applicable laws involved in the use of force is even more important.
Then, there's the mindset consideration.
Equipment familiarization, inspection and maintenance is pretty important, too.
As an armorer for a number of different firearms, I've had to correct many, many more
shooter-induced "problems" which gun owners/users mistakenly thought were "gun problems", but which were actually the result of improper handling, usage or maintenance.
Consider that most LE agencies have to require their staff to periodically qualify, upon threat of disciplinary action. Sure, there's always that very small number of shooting enthusiasts in police work who would use as much range time and ammunition as they're allowed, but they're typically in the minority.
Not that dissimilar to many of the private citizen gun owners who want to carry concealed weapons, when it comes down to it. Look how many CCW licensees who post on internet gun enthusiast forums who complain about even being required to take a basic class, or demonstrate shooting proficiency, in order to obtain their license.