30 Oct 01

On personal equipment from a friend in South Africa:

"I have spent the last few days repairing, adjusting and just generally trying to get most of the holsters used by my students on the recent course to work properly. Most have a cutaway at the trigger, so that the trigger is accessible while the firearm is fully holstered. Recently, we have had two students shoot themselves in the leg (during training) as a direct result of their finger being on the trigger as the gun was still in the holster.

Many have arrived at the range with our newly purchased safety glasses. This is what they are now issued. They are extremely uncomfortable, allow no peripheral vision, and fog up the instant they are put on. Students take them off constantly, while they are shooting.

Needless to say, another report has gone in to this administration to get decent safety glasses and holsters. I'll probably be even less popular now."

Lesson: Never depend upon someone else for personal, safety equipment. If you equip yourself, you'll likely have good gear. If not, you'll take your chances. It only has to fail you once!

/John