I have thought about this for a very long time and have finally decided to speak out about my feelings and issues concerning IPSC as a sport. Several years ago I decided to try and get my IPSC Black Badge. It was something that I just wanted to due because I thought that it would be a terrific experience to add to my shooting resume. However, it wasn't to be. I attended an out of town course of which I had to travel at my own personal expenses including food and lodging while there. I brought with me about 750 rounds of ammo of which I consumed almost 400 rounds. The course was over two days and required that participants meet one week prior to actually taking the course. As you can see, I had to drive to this location twice to take the course. I have to admit that the course was challenging and exciting at the same time. However, at some point, all the participants are required to shoot from either the kneeling, sitting and prone positions. Unfortunately, this is where I ran into a somewhat embarrassing situation. I suffer from arthritis in both of my knees and as a result, It's hard for me to participate in some of these shooting positions. I brought this to the attention of the person conducting the course and I was basically told not to worry about it. If the course instructor had advised me at that point that because of my physical limitations I shouldn’t proceed, I would have accepted his decision and would have withdrawn from the course. Safety was the primary concern which I fully agree with. During the course several people had issues which required that they be taken aside in order to give them personal attention in resolving their problems including safety issues. It was drawn to my attention that I let my finger slip down off the side of the frame of my pistol down towards the trigger area. At no time did my finger actually enter into the trigger guard. By the second day, I felt that I was doing very well with the course. I was waiting to do my turn at a shooting drill when I accidentally dropped my pistol while trying to put it in my Ghost Ultimate holster. God you'd think that I committed the crime of the century when that happened. Anyways, after that, it seemed to me that everything went down hill from there. I felt like a pariah within the group. The climax of the whole weekend reared it's ugly head when, what appeared to those giving the course, that my finger once again dropped down off the slide towards the trigger guard. At this time, I was asked to leave the course. One individual was taken aside for the same thing several times, about six times, for proper instruction. I was instructed twice. Believe me I'm the first person to demand safe procedures at all times when handling any type of firearm. Every time I go through those last few minutes in my head, I'm convinced that it didn't happened and that I was railroaded out of the course do to my health limitations. As I was putting away my stuff in preparation for leaving, one of the other participants, a young fellow, who had watched the whole proceedings, came to me and apologized as he felt I was treated badly and shouldn't have been asked to leave. I thanked him for his kind words. Well there you have my initiation to IPSC. Financially it cost me about $1000 from which my investment resulted in receiving a handshake and a thank you for participating but I wasn't IPSC quality. I asked for and received back my registration form and fee for joining IPSC (membership payment required in order to take the course). However, I never received the money back that we all paid for the instructor. I believe my dismissal from the course was handled in an inappropriate manner. I was embarrassed and humiliated in front of the group. I'm a senior citizen who thought by taking this course that I would learn about the various different aspects of our wonderful hobby and sport, but to no avail.
