Gun training in demand
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SHEDD, Ore. - Sheriffs in both Lane and Linn counties report
increased demand for concealed weapons permits
in the wake of shootings at a mall in Portland and a school in Connecticut.
Shooting instructors said residents are also seeking training on how to use the guns they want to conceal and carry.
"I've seen a big increase just over the last month, month and a half," said Mike McCarter wit the Albany Rifle and Pistol Club. "The number of people requesting classes for both conceal carry classes and basic pistol classes has definitely gone up from what we've seen."
McCarter said the golden word on their shooting ranges is responsibility.
"Our responsibility is to make sure that we keep our firearms secure and away from those folks who shouldn't have them," he said.
The second key word is training.
"The worst situation that can happen is that someone gets a gun and never practices, never takes the training to use it," McCarter said.
He said having a concealed weapon is like wearing a seatbelt.
"Seatbelts keep us safe," McCarter said. "We do everything we can to avoid an accident, and your last lifeline is your seatbelt. Well, that's the same thing with a gun."
Training is good, but don't be fooled. Â I know of at least 39 deaths and other incidents at shooting ranges last year: Â http://newtrajectory.blogspot.com/2012/05/where-is-safest-place-to-avoid-gun.html
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Not everyone who can have a gun *should* have a gun, even with training. Â In fact, most people have no need for a lethal weapon in their home or on their body. Â Studies show that a gun in the home is 18-22 times more likely to harm someone in the home than to be used to protect them.
If by, "not everyone," you mean, "the irresponsible, morally bankrupt, and mentally unstable," then I absolutely agree with you.
 @Baldr Odinson I KNOW of HUNDREDS of drunk driving accidents and fatalities.Â
I know of many drug related deaths each year.Â
I know of hundreds of deaths from other means than guns.Â
I know of hundreds of deaths from poor diet, obesity and heart disease.
I know of hundreds of suicide deaths.Â
I know of accidental deaths at the hands of medical doctors each year.Â
I know of drownings in swimming pools every year.Â
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I KNOW, lets ban the constitution.Â
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Baldr... move back to CHINA where you came from.Â
Training is good and like every other skill, the more you train, the better you'll get.
I am glad to see people get training if they are purchasing firearms for the first time. It seems like a good share of these folks are buying pistols or revolvers. Both are dangerous in the wrong hands, much more so that a rifle is. Thus training is a plus. Empty your weapon, double check it and then do the following experiment. Face forward, point your finger at a spot on a wall somewhere between 90 and 0 degrees from your forward position. Now with your pistol or revolver in hand point at the spot. Easy, right, you did not even have to move your body. Now take a rifle and point it at the same spot. If you started from the same spot and pointed the rifle 90 degrees you had to move your whole body to get the barrel to the spot. With the pistol or revolver you only had to move your arm and head. The anatomy of a rifle makes it much harder to bring to bear on a target than a pistol or revolver. Something to keep in mind when around other folks. Always, Always keep your weapon pointed down range or at the ground. Shooting is so much fun, enyoy yourself and be safe around others. Always, Always know if your weapon is loaded. Always, Always secure your weapon when finished with it. You can always be glad you did.
 @souptonuts Well said..