Shooting instructors worry about concealed carry without training
WELLINGTON, Kan. – A bill that’s been approved by the Kansas Senate allows for concealed carry without a permit or training. The measure now moves on to the Kansas House.
“Every bullet that leaves that gun, just consider there’s an attorney’s name on it,” said Mike Yoder, a concealed carry instructor.
He and others are worried about the lack of training because the laws surrounding using a gun can be so complex.
“It’s not something to take lightly,” he said.
As a law enforcement officer and firearms instructor Yoder has spent more than thirty years teaching people how to shoot.
“Unfortunately most people get their.. their ‘training’ from tv shows,” Yoder said.
He added, proper training in how to handle a gun is vital for safety. But so is knowing the responsibilities and risks of firing that gun. Which is why he spends so much time on it in his concealed carry classes.
“Probably 85% of the time, it’s in the classroom talking about liability issues,” he said.
And it’s not as simple as some might think.
“When you pull that trigger you’re responsible for every round that leaves that barrel,” said Yoder. “And even if you’re justified in that shooting, you still face the possibilities of criminal and/or civil action.”
Kansas law says you’ve got the right to fire a gun in defense of yourself or someone else if you’re in danger of bodily harm or death.
“And I say that’s pretty simple, isn’t it? And most people say, ‘Well, yeah, that’s pretty cut and dried,'” explained Yoder. “And then we start getting into different types of scenarios and what ifs and.. and it’s not that simple at all. It becomes very complicated at times.”
Which is why Yoder considers proper training on both gun laws and gun handling vital to those who carry a weapon with them.
“That’s the concern that I’ve got, is that they’re going to miss out on that,” he said.
I am sure they are not at all concerned about no longer being able to take their cut of the racket these laws impose on people – right?.
Obviously valid points are made about proper training and being prepared, but why should it be enforced that one need to pay extra fees in order to be able to exercise their constitutional rights?
It is truly despicable that these instructors who make their living off firearms, would actively work against pro-gun legislation.
I am sure they fear their enroll numbers will fall off, however, most people who make the conscious decision to carry a gun with them will seek out training anyhow for their own safety.
All this will do is force these instructors to create reasonable prices for their classes instead of the often gouging prices they charge for a mandatory training class.
