Range Report: neighbor wants to shoot

[CT_Shooter]

Locally a man shot an intruder who turned out to be his daughter’s boyfriend. He reacted out of fear and not reason. He had never practiced that split second reaction decision making.

I have a CT permit to carry a concealed weapon in public, but I won't and I likely wouldn't even if I was qualified. I really hope I never need to use one at home.

Stand-Your-Ground and the Duty to Retreat

Connecticut has a limited stand-your-ground law that applies in very specific circumstances. Unless you are in your home or office, you have a duty to retreat if you can safely do so without risk of harm to yourself or others. However, you do not have a duty to retreat and can stand your ground if:

• You reasonably believe you are faced with deadly force (regardless of whether the assailant was armed with a weapon)

• A trespasser has entered your home or office and you reasonably believe deadly force is necessary to prevent the trespasser from committing arson or a violent crime

• You reasonably believe the use of deadly force is necessary to prevent an unlawful entry into your home or office by force

These are the only situations in which a defendant can stand their ground and does not have a duty to retreat.

https://www.leb-law.com/self-defense-la ... nnecticut/

[Sir Henry]

I don’t conceal carry anymore and haven’t for several years. My main reason is I don’t practice enough. When I was in my early 50’s I went to the range up to five days a week. Especially in the summer but even in the winter I went a lot. There were several of us that headed to the range after work and many of us were there all day on the weekends. Most of us shot at least 10k a year with some of us shooting twice that.

We were allowed to draw and fast fire. The only requirement was that you could do it safe and hit your target. Sometimes five of us would be on two lanes so we had to take turns. If you missed you went to the back of the line. We would also have someone calling targets and they would try to make it as difficult as possible. We also had tennis balls that we threw out and you had to keep them moving.

We did this for hours daily year after year. I did it for five years. Some of the guys had been doing it for decades.

[BrokenolMarine]

I carried for a living for a decade, and had worked with Juvenile drug dealers for about three years. They had no respect for their own lives, even less for everyone else's. I had a reason to keep my skill levels high. I not only needed to be able to protect myself, but the lives of my wife, three daughters and my son. I also felt that if I was going to be teaching firearms to the academy, I should make every effort to be the best shot in the room.

I never talked about MY skillsets, I was introduced by another instructor and they provide your resume. I did the same for the others on the team. Doesn't sound like bragging then. I also didn't shoot while teaching. A point made by the NRA LEAD LE Instructor. Your credentials speak for themselves... you don't have anything to prove. Number one, it would just be showing off. Number two, you could have an off day, and then lose credibility.

Now... knowing what's out there from the time in that job. I do carry. I hope I never have to draw that weapon again. But I'd rather have it if the threat appears and I need to defend my wife or myself.

[Mags]

"knowing what's out there" is why I carry as well. I was cornered once before I started carrying - never again.

[Sir Henry]

I only hear of shootings within 50 miles of where I live. In three and a half years I have heard of two shootings. One was a drug deal and one was killed by her spouse. Random break ins and robbery is unheard of around here. True I occasionally go into Madison and Milwaukee but I feel my chances of getting killed is slim. And I know I’m in the minority about halving to practice so much to carry I just don’t practice that much.

[The Happy Kaboomer]

"Practice everyday and shoot 10,000 a year" In order to CCP?..........That's BS....... To 99% of concealed carriers.........Me included.

I agree that it’s BS to 99% ofCCP. But that is what is needed to react correctly in most firefights. Locally a man shot an intruder who turned out to be his daughter’s boyfriend. He reacted out of fear and not reason. He had never practiced that split second reaction decision making. Even my infrequent plinking at the berm doesn’t prepare me for a firefight because I don’t practice the quick mag changes and other thought processes anymore.

Answer is still BS............YOU DON"T need all that to stay compedent.

[GFK]

I can understand. One thing is a balance between stopping power and over penetration. For me, that is a concern. Each person is responsible for the round he/she discharge. Accuracy is good. Accuracy and not creating a problem is better. I agree with "train how you fight." With that in mind, that should dictate how you practice. So, once a person feels comfortable with his/her training, that is probably should be how he/she practice. Then, that is just me.

[5shot]

I carry every day and nearly everywhere. I also shoot a lot. I was on our church security team for years and have had numerous training courses and also many sessions in front of a simulator screen which is very close to real life. Excellent training for the critical decision making process. Along with being familiar and proficient with the firearm I believe the mental part of Concealed Carry is most critical. If someone isn't mentally prepared to use it if necessary then they shouldn't be carrying.

[BrokenolMarine]

You know, it's a funny thing.

I love to shoot. I always have. I grew up shooting, BB guns, Pellet Guns, 22s... then Competition in ROTC, and then the Military. After I left the Corps, I started shooting PPC. Practical Police Pistol, first local level matches where they only shot Match Five of the NRA Standard PPC course. 60 rounds, from 7 to 25 yards. When my mentor (A Police Sergeant) thought I was ready, he moved me up to the State level course... 150 rounds over a 50 yard course. Now, I was a department Firearms Instructor and taught Private Concealed Classes. I shot PPC three matches a month for about nine months. I also shot Glock Shooting Sports Matches. I'd shoot other invitational matches for fun. (Bowling pin/Falling Plates?)

Yes, "I" averaged about 10,000 rounds a year between practice, matches, and teaching classes where my instruction partner and I would shoot before and after the students arrived. I never suggested the average Officer or Concealed Weapons Student needed to shoot at that level to learn or maintain their skill levels.

I did, however, strongly suggest they shoot a box or two of ammunition a month for several months until they were comfortable, then at least a box of ammo every couple months to maintain skills. I also suggested continued education to increase knowledge and skills.

I continued to compete and push myself to insure my skills improved, and continued to learn so I could provide the best instruction possible for my LE and Civilian Students.

This is no different than the golf pro that I know that would hit at least two buckets of balls EVERY day without fail. He might chip them to the green, putt them, or drive them off the tee for distance, but he would hit a minimum of two buckets every single day. In addition, he would play at least one round of golf a day four or five times a week to maintain his high level of proficiency. He tried to play with someone as good or better than himself.

When I was shooting PPC, I tried to seek line assignments along side shooters better than I, so I could learn from them. The shooting community is a sharing community, and during down time most will pass along tips and tricks to help you improve. I always tried to coach new shooters if they were open to suggestions. Most wanted to improve and were glad to have the help.