No. One only needs to use common sense to be holster qualified. Unfortunately people can't be taken at their words anymore so there needs to be someone willing to "sign on the dotted line" that they have seen you draw and reholster many times without you shooting yourself or someone else. It is a club thing, so they can feel all warm and fuzzy that someone told you not to put your finger on the trigger when you are reholstering your gun (alla the guy out west at an IDPA match and the cop right here in Toronto at the Police College showing new recruits what NOT to do, with an excellent visual). I don't even think you need a Black Badge to shoot IPSC in the US, I could be wrong though.
I agree with the point you're making, but should also make a point myself. No one person "signing on the dotted line" guarantees safety....not for any shooter. The only thing that can provide a reasonable assurance of safety is the shooter's eternal vigilance towards safe firearms handling and the 4 fundamentals.
The attitude that someone has been certified needs to be weened out IMO....you cannot certify someone safe, you can only attest that someone was able to demonstrate safety in a limited capacity in a limited time. Some people, I swear, leave the holster course (apparently qualified) and forget everything that was taught.
I agree with you. We don't have ' gun culture' in Canada. Target pistol shooting is like a taboo, we are not going out and tell everyone about it.
Thus we need to have some sort of program for beginners. I like the idea of BB, it is well design course, but also I think that those who are serious about IDPA or IPSC should seek a training before BB or any shooting.
More time spend with a trainer is better for novice shooter.
PeterPan is right here. I highly recommend online training and dry fire practice long before even thinking of a holster course (BB has a general requirement of 1 year I think). Every participant should also be well aware of how their firearm functions and how to operate it properly (including jams). The BB and IDPA NSO course are not really designed to teach brand new people who are interested in action shooting. There are more designed to teach experienced shooters about the special safety concerns one must observe with action shooting.




















































