Indiana enlists NRA to train Guard on firearms

[lostinblue 1,989]

Indiana enlists NRA to train Guard on firearms

INDIANAPOLIS —

The National Rifle Association has been instructing Indiana's National Guard members on how to use concealed weapons after Republican Gov. Mike Pence directed the state's military bases and training centers to beef up security in response to recent attacks in Tennessee.

According to a survey by The Associated Press, Indiana is the only state to enlist the NRA's help in the training, which the gun-rights group says it will conduct free of charge for any guardsman who wants to carry a concealed handgun.

Although National Guard members traditionally have not been allowed to carry weapons while conducting most stateside duties, Pence is one of 14 governors who decided to arm them in the wake of a gunman's attacks last month on two U.S. military sites in Chattanooga that left four Marines dead.

Gun control advocates argue it's inappropriate for a state to involve a political lobbying organization in training members of the military, and even some National Guard officials from states that allow guardsmen to carry weapons question why a civilian organization is needed.

"This is a military problem to deal with, so we're going to deal with it with the military," said Lt. Col. Joel Lynch, a spokesman for the Arkansas National Guard, which is handling the training of its Guard members itself.

As governor, Pence has wide-ranging powers over the Indiana National Guard and appoints the adjutant general who oversees operations.

Pence spokeswoman Kara Brooks declined to comment and directed inquiries to the Indiana National Guard. Guard spokeswoman Lt. Col. Cathy Van Bree said guard instructors have previously offered handgun instruction themselves but that Pence's executive order last month allowing guardsmen to be armed requires a "deeper level of training." She did not elaborate.

In order to be armed, a guardsman must have a valid conceal-carry permit and undergo training. Van Bree declined to say how many members have been approved to be armed.

Guy Relford, an NRA instructor who recently trained about 65 Indiana guardsmen at an armory in Franklin, said his "basic pistol" course delves into safety scenarios on when and when not to shoot.

Without training, the National Guard has "dramatically increased the possibility that someone could hurt themselves or others with a gun," Relford said.

The AP survey of the 14 states that have armed their National Guards shows that most states had members of the military or law enforcement conduct the training. Only Indiana, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky and Oklahoma said they allow guardsmen to carry concealed weapons. At least seven others — including the largest state of California — allow Guard members to carry weapons in plain sight. Officials in Alabama declined to release information about their firearms rules for guardsmen, while the Texas National Guard wouldn't say if concealed handguns were allowed.

"The fact is, our folks are very comfortable in using weapons and using discernment in when they use those weapons, so having an outside agency involved is a little bit of a surprise," Capt. Will Martin, a spokesman for the California National Guard, said of Indiana's policy.

Eric Dietz, a professor at Purdue University who studies homeland security issues, said his research suggests causalities in some active shooter situations could be reduced if someone, such as a guardsman, has a concealed handgun.

Although more known for its role as an advocacy group, the NRA also frequently conducts handgun training programs for civilians. Relford says most Guard members don't get pistol training from the military, and those who do are taught using the standard 9mm. Pence's policy applies to a vast array of firearms ranging from a .22-caliber up to a .357 Magnum.

There are also legal and philosophical considerations because the military's overarching focus is on threats abroad, not at home, which is the traditional role of law enforcement.

Allowing different states to adopt different training methods also goes against the grain of military orthodoxy.

"You don't want to have the Indiana National Guardsmen trained a certain way that may be different from Illinois or Kentucky. There does have to be a standard across the board," said David Harris, a former adjutant general of the Illinois National Guard and now a Republican legislator, who supports the idea of arming guardsmen.

The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence criticized Pence for recruiting the NRA, suggesting the organization is "first and foremost" a "lobbying organization."

"There is no institution better equipped to train our servicemen and women than the US military itself," Dan Gross, the Brady Campaigns president said. "This is not a job for lobbyists."

In a statement responding to the Brady Campaign, NRA spokesman Jeremy Greene said the training offered to the Guard was provided by the NRA Foundation, which is separate from the group's lobbying wing.

Robert Dion a professor of political science at the University of Evansville, said Pence could reap political benefits in his upcoming re-election campaign by reaching out to the NRA in pro-gun Indiana.

"Any sort of association with the NRA helps his reputation more than it hurts it," Dion said. "You can burnish your social conservative credentials by cozying up to the NRA and you can claim being fiscally responsible because you are not costing tax payers anything."

http://www.wsbtv.com/ap/ap/us/apnewsbreak-indiana-enlists-nra-to-train-guard-on-/nnPBd/

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[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Gun nut security. That would make me feel better

[ready4ONE 5,400]

The second to last paragraph says it all. This is a political stunt not a valid training option for the Indiana National Guard. The only odd part is how the Guard fell for it.

[lostinblue 1,989]

The second to last paragraph says it all. This is a political stunt not a valid training option for the Indiana National Guard. The only odd part is how the Guard fell for it.

Without training, the National Guard has "dramatically increased the possibility that someone could hurt themselves or others with a gun," Relford said....

So sad you are so anti gun that you even hate folks getting training in gun safety .

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I think it's sad that you attribute inaccurate and inflammatory opinions to people that are totally out of character with their actual opinions.

[eieio 1,594]

"Any sort of association with the NRA helps his reputation more than it hurts it,"

Amen!

[ready4ONE 5,400]

Without training, the National Guard has "dramatically increased the possibility that someone could hurt themselves or others with a gun," Relford said....

So sad you are so anti gun that you even hate folks getting training in gun safety .

Swing and a miss! The NRA doing the training is a political stunt not the only way or source for the Indiana National Guard to get trained. In fact persons who are better than you or I state in the article you posted that the training should come from the military so that it is uniform across the US.

My actual opinion:

1) Political stunt.

2) Bad idea per my last sentence above and per actual National Guard officers in your own OP, as uniformity of training is comprised.

End of story.

[lostinblue 1,989]

Swing and a miss! The NRA doing the training is a political stunt not the only way or source for the Indiana National Guard to get trained. In fact persons who are better than you or I state in the article you posted that the training should come from the military so that it is uniform across the US.

My actual opinion:

1) Political stunt.

2) Bad idea per my last sentence above and per actual National Guard officers in your own OP, as uniformity of training is comprised.

End of story.

So tell us what is an NRA instructor doing wrong when he teaches a training class ?

[ready4ONE 5,400]

So tell us what is an NRA instructor doing wrong when he teaches a training class ?

Nothing when he/she is teaching a class for the average citizen. The problem is that the National Guard is a military institution and should be getting standardized training from the military. Still confused?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Nothing when he/she is teaching a class for the average citizen. The problem is that the National Guard is a military institution and should be getting standardized training from the military. Still confused?

But guns!

[lostinblue 1,989]

Nothing when he/she is teaching a class for the average citizen. The problem is that the National Guard is a military institution and should be getting standardized training from the military. Still confused?

Proper gun safety and marksmanship training is unmatched by any other organization including the armed services .

National Rifle Association Certifies Firearms Instructors

Story Number: NNS100509-27Release Date: 5/9/2010 10:55:00 PM

A A A

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Leona Mynes, Naval Station Guantanamo Bay Public Affairs

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba (NNS) -- Two instructors from the National Rifle Association (NRA) trained Guantanamo Bay service members to be firearms instructors May 3-7.

Fifteen Sailors and Soldiers from Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Naval Expeditionary Guard Battalion, the 525th Military Police (MP) Battalion and the Naval Security Forces qualified as instructors for handgun, shotgun and rifle qualification upon the camp's Granadillo range.

"We teach them [weapon]-handling skills, precision and shooter coaching," said Tim Lose, a staff firearms instructor with the NRA's Law Enforcement Activities Division (LEAD). "Part of the time they're acting as the shooter, and part of the time they're

acting as the instructor."

The NRA has seven firearms instructor disciplines. The handgun/shotgun courses are approved by Navy regulations and serve as a substitute for a Navy firearms instructor course.

"We definitely believe in bringing reality to the range," said Lose. "We're teaching people to move, shoot, evaluate and make decisions quickly. We're trying to teach them a survival mindset."

The goal of the NRA's military and law enforcement-related firearms instructor courses, is to give students confidence in properly handling their weapon and to teach them to maintain alert and ready behavior while armed.

"The most important thing in all of our courses is safety," said Lose.

The NRA was asked by the Navy to visit Guantanamo and train service members to be firearms instructors.

Lose said some NRA instructors teach at military installations regularly, including himself.

"A month ago, I was [teaching] at Joint Expeditionary Base in Little Creek, Va.," said Lose. "All of our courses are law enforcement or military. The NRA is a big organization, and in our part of it we do firearms instructor courses for military and law enforcement communities."

For more news from Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, visit www.navy.mil/local/gitmo.

They have been instructing military folks for years .

http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=53179

The anti gun hate flows freely

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

It's not hate. It's a different thought process. Some of us believe that society isn't so dangerous that the average person needs to carry a gun or have a 'survival mindset at all times' based on news headlines that have zero relevance to your experience of daily life.

[JohnR! 5,495]

In their lingo it is hate. Anyone who disagrees with their deranged point of view is considered a hater.

It's not hate. It's a different thought process. Some of us believe that society isn't so dangerous that the average person needs to carry a gun or have a 'survival mindset at all times' based on news headlines that have zero relevance to your experience of daily life.

[lostinblue 1,989]

In their lingo it is hate. Anyone who disagrees with their deranged point of view is considered a hater.

[Jacque67 7,328]

What have you paid for, LIB?