Training is good. More training is better. The full effective use of such training is the ultimate test of those skills.
Still a gun in the hands of a neophyte and otherwise unarmed victim is superior to the alternative - death or serious injury by default.
When is enough training enough? Should a particular level be required before carrying for self-defense?
Cutting to the chase - I would rather see a loved one have the capacity to stop a threat on their life with such force as required, with no training if that be the case.
All things in perspective. Training is very good. No tool, no capacity is very bad.
Grapeshot,
I am certain we are on the same page when it comes to people being able to protect themselves by all means necessary. The words that follow are not intended to "educate you" or otherwise insult your intelligence. I'd just like to provide my thoughts.
With regard to training, my team believed "Amateurs practice until they get it right. Professionals practice until they can't get it wrong." (-Author Unknown)
What's that mean? Never stop practicing, because you'll never be perfect. That was law-enforcement special operations. I'm not sure how to address non-sworn citizens who carry guns for self-protection. I do know, however, that the permit courses I've seen / reviewed are simply not enough to prepare a person to fight for their lives. Basic firearm safety and firing a few rounds at a paper target don't scratch the surface of the skills necessary to draw and fire in a violent, close-quarters combat scenario.
I'd like to think most of these courses offer intermediate and perhaps advanced training options. However, I know that many people would probably be content with getting that permit and walking out the door, never to come back.
You asked, "how much training is enough?" I believe it depends on how proficient you want and/or need to be.
Innocent people who want to protect themselves from predators are at a disadvantage from the start. It's unlikely that they WANT to hurt people, nor enjoy it. What I've seen, as a result of training thousands of law-enforcement officers, is
hesitancy. Drawing a firearm and pointing it at someone, without the intention to kill them, is a very dangerous, yet common problem. A gun is not a magic wand. People need to realize that "waving it around" doesn't always solve problems. The "magician" is likely to have that gun taken from them. I've proven that on many occasions...again, dealing with professional law-enforcement officers.
If my mom had a gun, she MIGHT be willing to point it at someone but wouldn't pull the trigger. No matter what. She's a minister and that's just who she is. That gun would likely be used against her, which is why I'd never recommend that she carry or even own a gun. Sad, but true. And she's not the only one in her shoes...
I've had the great majority of women in my self-defense courses say they wouldn't bite someone or try to blind them with their fingers, no matter what. I can't believe it when I hear it, but it's a very common attitude. That said, the likelihood of them ripping the trigger is very unlikely.
I think Skidmark was on to something when he talked about the current "culture" and socialization issues.
Violent predators, on the other hand, do not hesitate. They flip the switch and they go and don't stop until it's over (however it ends.) They'll take that gun and kill you with it - unless you are truly prepared to (1) defend it and (2) pull the trigger until the threat is over.
Police officers are killed with their own guns every year! They are certainly more adequately trained than the average citizen who took a permit course. Even so, sadly, it happens.
I've seen a different side of society. I lived in it for 20 years. I've been shot at. I've had people try to kill me by other means. I've shot and killed to save my life and the lives of others.
I've even had to neutralize the first suicide bomber to take hostages on American Soil. (The news article is "somewhat accurate," as you might guess.) Perhaps you and many others on this forum have similar experiences as well. I'm certainly not claiming to be the only guy who's "been there."
Trust me. I WANT women (and men!) to learn to carry safely. More importantly, I want them to learn to be proficient in defending, deploying and utilizing this life-saving tool. But, like I said before, carrying is not for everyone. A gun in the hands of someone who is mentally, physically or emotionally unprepared to use it could prove
more dangerous than having no gun at all.
Ongoing education and tactical training are the key...and lots of it.
As usual, this is just my $.02.
Thank you for the dialogue!
Be safe,
Ken