Agnotology
NES Member
There’s half your problem right there. Men don’t read manuals. We either learn how to use something or we break it and start over again.
So what about the elderly lady or the old veteran or even the young disabled veteran in a wheelchair who just can’t get out to go take safety courses? Are you going to deny them self protection simply because you don’t want to shoot with your idea of untrained people at the range, because that’s exactly what it sounds like.
Speaking of, who decides what is sufficient training? I’m fairly certain that I am better trained and have more real life experience to back it up than your do. What if others like me say f*** this agnotology guy his training doesn’t match ours, take his guns so we don’t get lazed at the range.
In this off the cuff hypothetical, I would figure a vet as a general rule would hit the minimum threshold for what any "training program" this would entail. Your 'elderly lady' example doesn't hold water either, I am unaware of any town in the state of MA that doesn't have a program that gives the elderly rides to appointments. They don't ask why, or for what, you just call and schedule a ride to a place you need to be, and a pick up time. Literally Uber for free.
As far as whom - ideally an organization based in firearms. I'd say the NRA, but they are about as reliable now as the politicians. Certainly wouldn't be the state. Definitely not in MA. We have enough gems here already that make policy while not knowing ass from elbow.
I'd be willing to bet you have infinitely more training, because apart from an educational video before stepping into the old S&W range in Springfield where I proceeded to chisel the pad of my thumb off with a slide 10 times in a row, and my original FID Hunter's Safety Course + refresher for LTC, I don't have any. I would be willing to bet in half an hour with you I'd be 10x the shooter I am right now. But in your description, while you don't have the ability to take my firearms, you certainly would have the clout to have my kicked off the range if I was being an idiot. As I should be. I certainly wish my pea-brain at the time had the sense to ask someone to show me a proper grip for the pistol I shot, so I wouldn't have had my thumb sticking up like I was giving a thumbs-up to the rear sight.