More requests for CCW training.

[Adam Helmer]

Mr. 16 gauge,

Thanks for inciting reflective thinking. At my first CCW class in NH in 1979 or 1980, I advertised our club's program from 0800 until noon on Saturday. I specifically asked prospective students to NOT bring a loaded handgun to the class; we would cover loading and firing on the range.

The first man showed up with a 4-inch M10 S&W .38 Special revolver. I check his gun at the door and it passed my safety inspection. I asked to see his ammo he planned to fire on the range. He said, "Your ad said don't bring no ammo to class." I had the ad at my table and asked him to point out his understanding of the ad. "Oh, he said, well I just read it quickly." This is why I had 6 certified instructors, one for each bench and shooter on the line.

The next guy came into the hall with a cigar box under his arm. I asked to inspect his house gun. He said, "It is in the box and loaded. My dad, now deceased, brought it back from the War. He said, just push down the safety and fire." I told him to place the box on the table and take a step back. I opened the box and saw a nice M1911A1 Ithaca .45 auto locked and cocked. I cleared the piece and told him to take a seat in the classroom.

I began those classes because a neighbor lady heard a noise one night, cocked her M-10 2-inch revolver and checked her house. All was clear so she tried to open the cylinder to swing it out before she lowered the hammer. She fired the revolver a time or two in the past, but never lowered the hammer on a loaded chamber. FINALLY, she shot her kitchen trash can to lower the hammer, neighbors called the cops and the chief asked me as club president to teach these pilgrims.

At our training, we teach people with revolvers to block the cocked hammer with their weak thumb, thumbnail UP toward the firing pin/hammer, when they pull the trigger and control lowering the hammer with their strong thumb. As a result, trash cans are now out of danger.

Adam