Refreshing

Over the weekend, I completed the training class required for me to obtain my Arizona Concealed Weapons Permit, as due to some weird rule, my permits from other states are honored here with no problem as long as I am a non-resident, but they cease to be valid the second I arrive here to live. (Do I suddenly lose my knowledge of training and lack of a criminal record as soon as I move in?)

I have to admit that I was a little apprehensive when I arrived at the class location, as it was a private residence, but once the class started, I quickly realized that I had definitely picked a good one.

The instructor was a Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Gang Task Force investigator, and he impressed me very much with his knowledge and experience, and more importantly his belief that the average citizen has a right to use a firearm to defend themselves, and with his willingness to use his job experience to help those citizens get the proper education to do so. His class was incredibly informative and interesting, as in the course of his day he gets to deal with both criminals and county prosecutors, and so he on a daily basis gets the perspective of both the bad guys as well as the good guy who will be deciding if one should be charged in a given defensive shooting.

(By the way, Phoenix Valley residents - The home invasion rate is up about fivefold recently, regardless of what the media and the government flacks tell you.)

I was also quite happily surprised about the instructor's attitude towards his status as a law enforcement officer. To quote him, "From 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. I'm a cop. From 3 p.m. to 6 a.m. I'm just a regular civilian, just like you guys". He told a story about recently getting a speeding ticket, and how he believes that handing his CWP over with his license may have helped get the speed recorded knocked down a little, as the ticketing officer probably appreciated the heads-up about the weapons in the car. One student asked facetiously, "And I'm sure your job had nothing to do with getting a break". The instructor responded that not only is trying to "tin" your way out of a ticket a fireable offense for his agency, he didn't even think about doing so because it's not the right thing to do. In fact, the instructor stated that he leaves his badge and ID at home when not at work, because in his words, "When I'm not on duty I'm not prepared to be a law enforcement officer, and I'd rather let the on-duty ones do the job. I only carry my pistol in order to defend myself and my family, not to be some kind of super-citizen". He also honors private businesses' posted "no guns" signs when off-duty, even though no one would probably ever question his not doing so.

Astounding. A police officer who realizes that he is given special powers in order to accomplish his job, and that he reverts to peasant status just like the rest of us once his workday is done, and who not only believes in the idea of citizen self-defense, but actively works to increase the number of permit holders. Not only did I luck out in my choice of class, but I am also extremely fortunate to have this man working to prevent gangbangers from terrorizing myself and my family.

If you need an Arizona permit class, I highly recommend checking out Black Wolf Defense. You certainly won't be sorry.