AST (After Sean Taylor)-To gun or not to gun?

[mheisig]

Originally Posted by onlydarksets

And I fail to see what is so hard to grasp about "unintended consequences". First, I disagree about how far training can take you. Comparing a gun owner to a police officer is a far stretch. Second, even if it was enough, you assume way too much about what the average person who has a gun will do to educate and train themselves.

The unintended consequences outweigh the benefits in my house. God bless America, because you are free to choose differently. I believe that gun control needs to be smarter, not harder, but the current state just isn't cutting it.

Like I said, I certainly respect your decision and none of this is an attempt to argue anyone into doing something they don't want to do.

I agree it's possible (not necessary) that there are unintended consequences to owning a firearm.

Can you tell me how that differs substantially from the possible unintended consequences of driving? Or flying? Or having cleaning fluids in a house full of kids? Or having a gas stove? Or having matches? Or walking down the street? You've got the risk of danger and harm to you and your loved ones all around you, all day long, why is a gun so much different?

With respect to comparing a police officer and a gunowner, I staunchly disagree, and feel I'm pretty well qualified to speak on the subject having been a civilian gun owner and a police officer at one time.

As discomforting as this is to many of you, the VAST majority of police officers are absolutely NOT expert marksmen or even close. They are moderately competent, some far worse. I had 80 hours of firearms training in the police academy, which is about 3-5 times what the state required minimum is in most states. In other words I got 80 hours, and most departments get a LOT less. Of that 80 hours, 1/3 was probably spent milling around wasting time and waiting for your turn to shoot.

I can unequivocally state, after being trained in a highly respected law enforcement academy, and having seen hundreds of other officers shoot, that I know more civilians who are better shots than police officers.

The perception that officers have some incredible level of skill with firearms is preposterous and likely perpetuated by ignorant people or the departments themselves.

A 5-day course at a place like Gunsite or Blackwater or any of a dozen schools throughout the country will leave your "average Joe" as prepared or better prepared than the vast majority of officers I encountered, and I'd stake my reputation and a large sum of cash on that.