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We have another thread that asks what additional requirements "Tha Gummint" should impose upon CHL applicants before they are granted a CHL. That thread basically devolved into a debate about the interpretation of the 2nd Amendment. That is not what this thread is about. I don't care if you want to see your suggestions pursued voluntarily or required by statute, I just want to know what they are. What training do you think people should seek out? What deficiencies do you think are the most common? What resources do you suggest? What are important tidbits of knowledge do you think everyone should know? What do they need to know?
To start out, I would like to say that I think that an overwhelming majority of CHL holders are familiar and competent with their firearms and have a working understanding of the legal issues surrounding the use of deadly force. A small, but significant percentage are either not as competent/practiced with their weapon as they should be, or are ill-informed about the law. I admit that I was once neither as competent with my gun as I should have been, nor did I have a very accurate understanding of the law. I don't think of these folks as being as much a danger to the public at large, but more of a hazard to themselves in a criminal or civil liability nature. In other words, a well-intentioned, otherwise law abiding gun owner could find themselves in hot water because what they thought the law said was different than what the law actually said.
In my opinion, the familiarity/competency issue is easily solved by attending a day or two of defensive handgun training and then practice, practice, practice. Those who don't are just being, at best, lazy, and, at worst, irresponsible or negligent.
The issue of having a true understanding of the laws surrounding the use of deadly force is more complex. I have met, talked to, or read a post from many a CHL holder who was deficient in this area of training. I think that this deficiency is rooted in a few core issues:
To counter these issues, I believe that we must all admit that we do not have, and probably never will have, a complete understanding of the laws surrounding the use of deadly force. After acknowledging this, I suggest every CHL holder (for your own sake) do the following:
To start out, I would like to say that I think that an overwhelming majority of CHL holders are familiar and competent with their firearms and have a working understanding of the legal issues surrounding the use of deadly force. A small, but significant percentage are either not as competent/practiced with their weapon as they should be, or are ill-informed about the law. I admit that I was once neither as competent with my gun as I should have been, nor did I have a very accurate understanding of the law. I don't think of these folks as being as much a danger to the public at large, but more of a hazard to themselves in a criminal or civil liability nature. In other words, a well-intentioned, otherwise law abiding gun owner could find themselves in hot water because what they thought the law said was different than what the law actually said.
In my opinion, the familiarity/competency issue is easily solved by attending a day or two of defensive handgun training and then practice, practice, practice. Those who don't are just being, at best, lazy, and, at worst, irresponsible or negligent.
The issue of having a true understanding of the laws surrounding the use of deadly force is more complex. I have met, talked to, or read a post from many a CHL holder who was deficient in this area of training. I think that this deficiency is rooted in a few core issues:
1. The CHL holder reads the statute and makes a literal interpretation of the wording without an understanding of the case law that answers the many "what if?" gray areas.
2. The CHL holder has an opinion, based on their own ethics, morals, politics, friends, experiences, or favorite movie that leads them to believe that "the law says..." without ever actually looking it up or consulting with an attorney.
3. The CHL holder has attended training and "my instructor said..." is what they base their knowledge of the law on.
2. The CHL holder has an opinion, based on their own ethics, morals, politics, friends, experiences, or favorite movie that leads them to believe that "the law says..." without ever actually looking it up or consulting with an attorney.
3. The CHL holder has attended training and "my instructor said..." is what they base their knowledge of the law on.
To counter these issues, I believe that we must all admit that we do not have, and probably never will have, a complete understanding of the laws surrounding the use of deadly force. After acknowledging this, I suggest every CHL holder (for your own sake) do the following:
1. Read the statutes and any case law you can get your hands on. Read information provided by OFF and other organizations. Talk to an attorney/judge/police officer versed in the laws surrounding the use of deadly force both from a civil and a criminal perspective. Expect conflicting opinions and then ask them to back up their opinions with case law. Seek multiple opinions and the basis of those opinions.
2. Seek out training about the legal aspects of the use of deadly force. Understand that while many "experts" may be very knowledgeable about this subject in general terms, that few will have specific knowledge as it pertains to the statutes, and more importantly, the case law in your state or locality. Seek out local instructors. Many of the big names travel throughout the entire country and may not always make a clear distinction between their opinion (perhaps correctly based on the laws in their own region) and the laws that apply to you.
3. Learn the different standards used in criminal versus civil court. You may fall into that gray area where you are not criminally liable, but face paying civil
damages.
4. Get a large liability policy (ie. an umbrella policy). I believe NRA members receive a small policy automatically. This will cover you in other situations in life and will avoid the stress of waiting through 2-3 years of lawsuits to learn whether or not you are going to be destitute. (And, no, I don't sell insurance).
Sorry for such a long post, but this is something I have been thinking about for a while.2. Seek out training about the legal aspects of the use of deadly force. Understand that while many "experts" may be very knowledgeable about this subject in general terms, that few will have specific knowledge as it pertains to the statutes, and more importantly, the case law in your state or locality. Seek out local instructors. Many of the big names travel throughout the entire country and may not always make a clear distinction between their opinion (perhaps correctly based on the laws in their own region) and the laws that apply to you.
3. Learn the different standards used in criminal versus civil court. You may fall into that gray area where you are not criminally liable, but face paying civil
damages.
4. Get a large liability policy (ie. an umbrella policy). I believe NRA members receive a small policy automatically. This will cover you in other situations in life and will avoid the stress of waiting through 2-3 years of lawsuits to learn whether or not you are going to be destitute. (And, no, I don't sell insurance).