Originally Posted by
billinaz
As someone who has been through the training, I can say you are absolutely, positvely, 100% incorrect.
Any officer who goes through the flying armed program knows the protocol for anything that happens onboard. I'm not disclosing the specifics of the class... but rest assured that when I've carried a gun in the cabin I had a clear understanding of what is and is not required.
I don't worry about them knowing the protocol. I worry about their muscle memory and instincts in the underlying weapon handling and use. In many of the places where I have lived over the years (east coast, midwest, mid-atlantic), a disproportionately large number of local cops only blow the rust off the duty piece twice a year. That's not somebody I want carrying on the airplane, even if they do know "the protocol." It's being able to actually hit "the broad side of the bad guy without blowing a hole in the guy in 2C" that concerns me.
Showing up at my local range at requal time is a spectacular time to make money.
Your mileage may vary.
Originally Posted by
billinaz
I've neverseen a negligent discharge of a weapon. Accidental ones, yes. They are called ADs, not NDs. Trying to villanize a person by applying another word to imply a different culpaple mental state is not the thing to do.
They are called "negligent discharges." Google it. Ask
any military or
most federal or reputable state agency training officer.
The reason why some (and with respect, I suspect you) LEOs fear the word "negligent" is because of the legal implication. It's a crutch for those who don't want to explain why they screwed up.
If it's your fault (that is, the result of an action taken or not taken)--negligent.
If it's the gun's fault, it's accidental. %99 it's the former.
Originally Posted by
billinaz
These pilots (on their own dime) go through the Federal firearms training required, go through the currency training required and are qualified to carry the weapon.
It's like what, 40 hours? A week? And not all of that is even firearm related. And they pay their own lodging and travel (the latter of which is obviously not an issue). They do not pay for the course. It's $30/day for lodging at the training center and meals. Let's not make this out to be a large financial burden.
During that time, I'd be willing to wager the instructors, if they are lat allike the Georgia FLETC folks, have introduced the term "negligent discharge" and how one might best avoid one.