Black Angus McPherson

Was there any reason you needed to qualify with six different guns? Or were you just having some extra fun while you were there? If you were just having extra fun I can relate to that. Angus

Supposing you've got solar panels and they supply 100% of your household needs. Next suppose you've just installed a flux capacitor in your Delorian that you want to try out. Now, it's a given that your solar panels can't provide the 1.21 gigawatts needed by the FC, so what happens when you plug it in and give it a try? Does the entire system shut down? Or do the lights dim, the refrigerator struggle and the tv flicker while the system tries in vain to provide the power requested? If you start unplugging and turning off stuff until the power requested doesn't exceed the power available, do the lights pop up to full strength while the ice maker goes back to full function and everything is hunky-dorey? Just wondering. Angus

He did?? Ooops, I completely missed it.

WD, ISKD! (Well Darn, I Shoulda Knowed Dat!) Angus (I knew Israeli Defense Forces didn't make sense)

What, pray tell, is "IDF"?

Congratulations! (I still don't know what a reputation point is) Angus

I've never shot a pistol qualification course that did not have at least some portion of it requiring the use of only one hand at a time. Some strong hand only and some support hand only. I have not shot a "civilian" CCW qualification course. I don't know if there is a state requirement that a portion of the pistol qualification course must be fired with one hand. It has been an agency standard with every police department and academy with which I am familiar. I'm going to guess the GA SQC was used for civilian CCW courses. In my limited experience with CCW courses of fire they have been less demanding than law enforcement firearms qualification courses., so, I guess that's not a surprise. Are you also saying that while you were active LEO that your department's pistol qualification course did not have any component that required you to shoot using only one hand? Frankly, that surprises me. Having him take misses for the portion of the qualification that require the use of his right hand is certainly an option to be discussed. Our qualification course IS pass/fail. The scores are not recorded, but targets have to be checked and scored. Otherwise what's the point?

The entire Sheriff's Department. We are, basically, an 8-5 Monday to Friday business. We act as bailiffs, process servers, conduct evictions, and enforce replevin/seizure orders. The closest we come to "Law enforcement" actions are taking custody and transporting a person under court order for mental evaluations. The county also has a police department that provides patrol, emergency response, etc. law enforcement duties. Yes. The Sheriff has consulted an ADA attorney. I believe that is an ongoing discussion. He asked for my thoughts on the matter and I am interested in any insight that might be gained from the folks here. Yeah, I know, ya get what ya pay for, but this is a group with wide experiences and I thought someone might have a unique and interesting perspective on the matter. FWIW, I've had a couple guns waved at me and a couple very unfriendly dogs sent in my direction at this job. So far, no shots fired and no blood lost. I can only hope it stays that way.

Thanks everybody. Angus

This is kind of long, so bear with me. I work for a Sheriff's Department that works with/for the courts and is not a "law enforcement" organization. Deputies are not required to be armed but are given the option provided they can pass a qualification course. Part of the course of fire requires the deputy to fire their pistol using only their right hand and part requires the deputy to fire their pistol using only their left hand. We currently have an applicant in the last stages of the hiring process that has a non-functioning right hand that is incapable of holding or firing a firearm. (I don't know the specifics of the injury) The lack of a functioning right hand does not prevent him from performing the duties of our department, so the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires we hire him if he meets all other qualifications. FWIW he is a retired Police Officer. He has indicated that he would like the option to be armed while on duty, as provided by policy. The question posed concerns what liabilities the department accepts by amending the qualification course for this individual. Likewise, what liabilities would attach if the department refuses to adapt the course of fire to his disability. The required qualification score would remain the same. The change would only to be allow him to use only his left hand for the entire course of fire. Also, the change would only apply to this deputy and other deputies with a similar disability. Medical documentation of the disability will be required. My view is that as long as he passes the qualification course, and notation of the ADA adapted course of fire is made on the qualification form, he's good to go. Additionally, I think a handicapped person would likely be more in need of an "equalizer" if attacked than an otherwise healthy person might be. I would appreciate the thoughts of other Firearms Instructors and Lawyers, especially any ADA Lawyers, on this matter. Thanks, Angus

While discussing a future trip to the Edmonton, Canada area the question was raised: "Does Canada have a 911 emergency number like the USA?" For those that don't know, in the USA if you dial 911 it will connect you with the local Emergency/Police/Fire dispatcher. If you are using a land line it will also tell them your location. What number do Canadians dial in the event of an emergency to get help? Thanks, Angus

If you read the notes in the photos it says they were raffled off to pay for his funeral. .25 cents for a raffle ticket isn't bad. It doesn't say how many tickets were sold. Plus, .25 to pay for a funeral is pretty darn cheap, too. Angus

Yep. But get a rooster and you get a pr*** with wings. Angus

Well, at least some ammo has come back to more normal prices. I was in a Rural King the other day and they had 9mm ammo for $16 per box (50) and .223 for $12 per box. A wooden case of surplus 7.62x39 ammo was $600 something and quick math looked like it was about .50 per round. Certainly not as cheap as it used to be, but better than the $1+ per round of a few months ago. No limit and there was a LOT on the shelves. OTOH, I also stopped in a local gun store. A lot more variety of ammo, but MUCH higher prices and not as large a quantity of ammo. At least not on the shelves. No reloading supplies at either place. Angus

What's an "AD"?