How NOT to teach a CCW Class

Some of you may recall “Bo” Gritz, the fellow who managed to end the Ruby Ridge standoff because Randy Weaver was so (justifiably) paranoid by then that he wouldn’t listen to anybody else.

(“Bo” Gritz haunted the greater Orofino area for a while, and if you scratch a local when you’re visiting for Boomershoot, you might get an earful. Let’s just say he’s not the most highly regarded fellow in those parts.)

Well, apparently he has a son who teaches a Guard [as in bank or mall security guard] handgun safety class, which was put on the list of approved classes for the horde of Calgunners applying for Sacramento County CCW permits.

Calgunner “Bombmaster” attended and was not impressed appalled:

I took a Sacramento approved course today. What a joke. there was one other CCW applicant in class with 6 guardsmen. There was no handgun training involved. the class was full of FUD. It was a class teaching 6 people who had never touched a gun in their life how to pass a test they would take the next day with loaned/rented guns. Fortunately for all California residents as a range safety officer I am better trained than this crappy class offered. I bit my tongue and passed. The test could be taken by my child without ever reading any manual or listening to this instructor tell BS chest pounding stories. 50% or classroom was spent watching the instructor pat himself on the back for gracing us with his knowledge. What a disappointment.

So basically this CCW approved course was really a guard course meant for 21-25 year olds that sit in awe listening to crap spew from an incompetent mouth.
Please tell me I can re-qualify somewhere else.

…

CCW training in Sacramento by a security academy (the one close to River City Guns) leaves a lot to be desired. The head instructor spent the first moments telling his class to visit the CADOJ website. He instructed his students to read and keep up to date on changes. This is where the training stopped. I would argue that he has not read the FAQ’s on that site in the last 15 years. The level of incorrect information spewing from his lips became intolerable. More than 50% of the class is spent listening to him pound his chest about what a great special ops guy he is. Shortly after class began I started to jot down incorrect information. Some of which potentially creates felony’s [sic] for his students. He did not allow for any questions till the class was over (6:45pm), so the 20-23 year old students just mopped up every word he uttered. I thought I would take the time to type up some of the incorrect information he taught in hopes that some guard who might read this can get more accurate information. [Editor’s note: each of the below bolded points is WRONG WRONG WRONG.]

1. Possession of a magazine in California that can accept more than 10 rounds is a Felony. (PC Section 12020 (b)(19-29))

2. Registration is required for all handguns. Handguns imported [by] new residents prior to 1998 were not required to be registered (Penal Code 12072(f)(2)) and sales using an FFL were not required until January 1, 1991. Prior to that date an individual could sell to another individual without using a dealer, and there are probably several million firearms in California which have not changed hands since 1990.

3. No caliber less than .380 may be put on a California CCW license. I have no idea from which he dreamt this one up.

4. The question was asked to the class. What cartridge does the 1911 shoot? I responded the 45ACP. He said what does that stand for? I replied Automatic Colt Pistol. He said wrong… Its .45 Auto Pistol Cartridge. I just lowered my head and wrote this FUD down. I couldn’t believe it myself.

5. This one was on brandishing PC417. He stated he was in the Sac Sheriff’s office last week and that there 3 CCW holders there crying about losing their permits due to the fact that there shirts had revealed their gun while reaching for product from a top shelf in a store. When I finally questioned him he cut me off and informed me it wasn’t a “State law” it was a “Business law”. Again I just lowered my head and keep taking notes.

6. CCW holders will be forced to drug test after any encounter with law enforcement.

7. It’s illegal to shoot a person with a gun that is not on your permit.

8. Glocks left in the trunk of your car in a Phoenix AZ summer will melt and become inoperable. His Sig can survive a fire and still operate properly. (clearly anti Glock)

9. Bullets must be in a separate compartment from gun. You cannot legally put your bullets and your firearm in the trunk of your car.

10. Firearm parts may not be in the glove box.

11. Cable lock through the barrel creates compliance with “locked container”. No need to put a separate lock on your gun case.

12. 1 gun a month starts at pickup of gun not at time of DROS.

13. Gun locked in container with a single bullet hidden under the foam creates a Felony in California.

…

I survived the constant and repeated sweeping of the guns at the students. He consistently used real guns to demonstrate shooting in the class. At one time he put a gun to his sons back and click click click with the gun.
Again I posted this so that you that are looking for [CCW] training understand the level of training you will get. And for the Guards that go through this class. Read the CalDOJ website and make yourself familiar with California gun law before you rely on this instructor for legal advice.

Never once did he mention “Never point any gun at something your not willing to destroy” I guess he was just too cool for that rule.

I believe this might be the same fellow who insists that Glocks are “single action” pistols and completely unsafe for civilians. Uh huh.

Sadly, several commenters noted that this particular instructor and class are better by far than most of the “Guard qualification” academies out there. Some argued that Gritz knows exactly what he’s doing and intentionally dumbs it down to the level of the Guard students’ comprehension. I know Calgunners can come off a bit like brainy D&D players in that we’ve got the “rules” memorized, but sheesh.