I tend to disagree, mainly because shooting a handgun does not require an advanced degree in "triggernometry." After all, from what I gather from reading this forum, most policemen are not qualified to carry a weapon. But there are issues.
Shooting a handgun and hitting the target under ordinary, range-type conditions is one thing. Everything carries over to a live-fire situation, only there are all sorts of factors that are not present in a range-shooting session, not the least of which is that no one is shooting back. Naturally those who host training schools will say you need to be well trained, and typically only in their techniques. That's is understandable and it's not bad, either. But it also seems like for some people, going through courses and "training" is the end. They won't even have time to go to concerts. Too noisy, no doubt.
The critical issue on which everything hands is reaction. Not reaction time, just simply reacting--the right way, whatever that might be in the split second you have to decide. On the other hand, if you go about armed, it should be assumed that you have made up your mind about what to do. One probably should even if you don't go armed.
I never got in fights on the playground when I was in grade school but I did at home. I was only taken to the hospital twice, near as I recall, although I have more scars than that. At the time a frontal attack resulting in two boys rolling around in the dirt pounding each other was what usually happened. I've become more civilized since then and I don't think I'd do that now. I've even over the legal age for the militia, according to state law.
Shooting a handgun and hitting the target under ordinary, range-type conditions is one thing. Everything carries over to a live-fire situation, only there are all sorts of factors that are not present in a range-shooting session, not the least of which is that no one is shooting back. Naturally those who host training schools will say you need to be well trained, and typically only in their techniques. That's is understandable and it's not bad, either. But it also seems like for some people, going through courses and "training" is the end. They won't even have time to go to concerts. Too noisy, no doubt.
The critical issue on which everything hands is reaction. Not reaction time, just simply reacting--the right way, whatever that might be in the split second you have to decide. On the other hand, if you go about armed, it should be assumed that you have made up your mind about what to do. One probably should even if you don't go armed.
I never got in fights on the playground when I was in grade school but I did at home. I was only taken to the hospital twice, near as I recall, although I have more scars than that. At the time a frontal attack resulting in two boys rolling around in the dirt pounding each other was what usually happened. I've become more civilized since then and I don't think I'd do that now. I've even over the legal age for the militia, according to state law.