To me, issuing one of these is a big deal. Note what the certificate states (click to well, you know):
The certificates are issued to me. The Statutes are well defined and explicit. Sumdude was selling these for 100 bucks each out of the back of his car at the Waffle House parking lot in Winston Salem some time ago. He got busted and deservedly so. That cheapens what true instructors do, and more importantly denies people the import and training of what carrying a concealed handgun really means.
I spend all day with people from all walks of life, the motivations they have to give up a beautiful fall Sunday and spend money is profound to me. I will never get rich doing this. Today however was very rewarding, yet emotionally draining.
A young woman today, a Senior at NCSU was accompanied by her Stepfather (I said "GO WOLFPACK" to her and she immediately responded with the correct hand signs, LOL!). She and he told the tale as to why they were both here today. He, a very large man about 6'2" 230 lbs; she a very petite, 5" nothing and looked like she would blow away in a stiff wind. It is so very hard to hear these stories. I must maintain composure as they are spoken in class. Sadly I hear more than my fair share.
She has a restraining order on a former boyfriend that Stepfather says is bigger than he. After the boyfriend took an entire day to beat her at his leisure, she is here now today with one of these:
Smith and Wesson Bodyguard .38.
I am humbled. For someone to come thru that ordeal, speak of it in public and decide to take action against that ever happening again, I can only be in awe of that spirit. It again overwhelmed me today doing my admittedly pedestrian tasks at hand. God Bless her and her Stepfather. I wish the best to the young lady and her Stepfather.
So after shooting the Bodyguard 40 rounds during qualification (I exceed State requirements and require weak hand only shooting as well), I allow students to shoot the remaining 10 rounds from a box of ammo if they would like to do so. She says she is done. I understand. That is not a pleasant handgun to shoot. I ask if she would like to shoot this:
A Colt Detective Special made before she was born. She had observed it in class, and remarked how much heavier it was than her .38. She smiled and said "yes please". I left my RSO in charge as I went to get it.
She shot it and the smile from her face was my reward for the day! I told her that her gun is great for what it is and what it is designed for, but not a "fun" gun to shoot. Actually neither is the Colt, but far better than what she was shooting!
So for now I am here with guns that need to go to the safe, I need to get ready for the "real job" tomorrow and I am very happy for my student today and yet crying. I lament the loss of innocence.
I seem to meet the best people for all the wrong reasons.
I cannot cheapen what she went thru, but I hear too much of violence against good people in class. Sadly, for many that was the motivator for them to be there in the first place.
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