Well... That might be you, but...
Having actually done that (hosted matches where no formal qualifications were required) I have come to the opposite conclusion.
It's a bit rich to expect a MD to allow total strangers with unknown abilities run around on their range with a loaded shotgun... From what I've seen there needs to be at least a minimum standard of training.
Don't forget... for every one guy who despite having no formal training can safely handle their shotgun there are ten who "think" they can, but after the timer goes off... Obviously can't.
Hell, sometimes it's apparent BEFORE they step up to the start position .
Bottom line is... If you don't meet the standard/requirements set by whomever is running the match and think it's stupid...
Set up and run your own match and run it your way.
In my time as an instructor, I would suggest its USUALLY apparent before they step up to the start position.
As an educational program development officer, I can also tell you that the vast majority of firearms training programs and feel good endeavors that can not in any way be scientifically shown to reduce negative outcomes. Most at best, are simply a barrier that triggers people to self-select based on their own self perceptions. IE, one who knows they am not proficient, therefore they don't want to pay to take a course they may fail, and therefore don't try. Security deposits seem to have about the same effect, without the false sense of security or waste time from an unqualified training program.
Pauls Said: I get what you are saying, but people with "action jobs" and decades of experience do not necessarily translate into safe competitors.
I've RO'd at non-IPSC matches, and had the pleasure of running a squad which included members of law enforcement. I assume they qualify under your "action jobs" category.
Their gun handling was worse than anyone else I saw at the range that day.
I'm going to assume they were not top of their class...
Black badge course is not just a holster course.
And as for cost, I've never heard of one being $400+
Regardless, the course includes the instructors time and proper instruction during 2 days of shooting, course materials, the first year's membership fee.
Above all else, if a couple hundred for a fun and very educational course which proves to everyone around you that you have been deemed safe is the roadblock, then you haven't really considered the actual costs of competing in the shooting sports.
The fact that you reference police as being dangerous, despite all their training, is proof that training isn't the be all end all. Do You think the Black Badge course is better at training people in a single weekend then all the time spent at the police academy is at making people safe? Hardly. Has anyone conducted a reputable study to measure the effectiveness of that course specifically in terms of reducing accidents/incidents?
Most cops come in knowing hardly anything, and they leave the academy slightly improved. Likewise most people taking the black badge have years of experience, and probably would have been just fine without it, or could have achieved a similar effect with 15 minutes on the sideline with a good coach before running the match.
Proficiency is a life long journey. Putting too much faith into a single training course is going to breed a false sense of security.
Thank you for the offer, but I have neither the time nor the inclination to set up my own match, and am more than happy to compete in any of the non-IPSC matches that are available. Or to just not compete at all, and run and gun on my own or with friends.
If I were to run a match though, I would simply charge a $500 security deposit for safety rules violations, which is fully refundable if there are no issues, and then to waive the requirement for the deposit with anyone who has successfully competed 10 times without incident.
$400? Wow, that’s almost 4 times the cost of my black badge course and first year IPSC Membership.
But seriously, if you want to join the club, you’ve got to meet the standard set by the club. I used to think the same way but since I joined IPSC it’s been well worth the very small hassle of finding and attending a B.B. course.
I am fine with the club having its own rules. I don't like the rules, and therefore I don't join the club.
$400 is course fee, plus ammo costs, plus opportunity costs for time and travel. I have competed in many matches that require no such qualification, and in my experience they have never been any safer or more dangerous than any 'regulated' events I have observed, such as IPSC. Which seems a bit excessive as a pre-requisite to a shotgun match.
I am going to back away slowly here, cause I don't mean to be bad-mouthing IPSC. I just hope the idea of good shotgun matches catches on outside of that organization.
It was good shooting with you guys.
