Now that the crisis has passed, countries all over the world will try to learn lessons from the latest terrorist attack. Reports from Kenya indicate that security wasn’t allowed to carry firearms in the upscale mall where the massacre occurred. At the end of the day, this was another mass shooting in a “gun-free zone.”
And the irony gets compounded by this photo:
A responder wearing a vest sporting the IDPA patch. For those who do not know what IDPA is, here you go:
Founded in 1996 the International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) is the international governing body forIDPA competition, a handgun-centric shooting sport based on simulated self-defense scenarios.
The IDPA competition format was designed to be enjoyable to all shooters of all skill levels, with a premium put on the social interaction and camaraderie of the members. Participation in IDPA matches requires the use of handguns, holsters and other equipment suitable for concealed carry self-defense. With that in mind, and keeping the shooters’ best interests in mind, IDPA’s founders established equipment requirements that remain based on commonly available firearms and gear allowing individuals the opportunity to compete with minimal investment.
Today, thanks to the vision of its founders and a commitment to serving the organization’s loyal membership, IDPA stands as the fastest growing shooting sport in the United States with over 20,000 members from all 50 states, and over 300 affiliated clubs hosting weekly and monthly competitions, and membership representing over 50 foreign nations.
Our main goal is to test the skill and ability of the individual. Equipment that is designed with no application for daily, concealed carry is not permitted in this sport.
It just takes good guys with guns and they don’t have to have badges or salute. I know, maybe the guy in the pic is a cop, but if he is wearing a vest with the IDPA patch, it means he is proud of shooting the sport because he is getting something out of it.
Nobody wears the patch of the worst Candy Cane club in the country.
Hat tip to Ken S.
The guy to his left is probably bitching about the number of No Shoots.
LOL…
And I bet he is classified Expert..biggest bunch of whiners.
Thanks for your blog, Miguel.
Also hat tip to user Patrick on the morning of 9/23 for pointing out the patch in that photo.
Lol @rob allen. Damn gamers.
I pointed out the IDPA patch photo to my 12yo son; he loved that a Nairobi concealed carrying responder understands why we practice as we do. But it would be a sad day for anyone to be put in his position.
I hate to turn this into a B&G session, but this is Grade A fertilizer: “Equipment that is designed with no application for daily, concealed carry is not permitted in this sport.”
I’ve seen, handled, and shot IDPA-legal raceguns. I wouldn’t consider a XD Tactical or Glock 34/35 with a radically lightened trigger and an aggressive over-travel stop (that can make the trigger seize up if the frame is too cold) to have an application for any form of carry outside of competition.
On the other side of the coin, I have guns that I consider to be acceptable for carry which IDPA bans from competition. Specifically, my XD model 9701 and my G19 with inset RMR.
I agree that the G34 is kinda BS for EDC. But a G19 with RMR places the gun in the equipment racing category. The idea is for Average Joe & Jane to spend the least amount of money for equipment and being able to shoot a match safely. If you can afford to buy an rmr, modify the gun and install it, good for you. But same as with lasers, it is not cheap and it is not mainstream. I only know of FN making a gun specifically for red dots and stuff like that. Lasers have been out for how many decades and people still do not use them in great or even moderate numbers.
The FN pistol isn’t the only example; there is also the M&P CORE (combat optics ready edition).
As to your point about price: what about custom 1911 pistols? Wilson Combat 1911 pistols start around 3k; a Glock with an RMR can be had for half of that. Additionally, many IDPA legal race guns I have seen are extensively modified. I wouldn’t be surprised if many such guns based on common platforms (Glock, M&P, XD, etc.) would cost roughly the same as a stock Glock with an RMR.
Then there is the implication that the RMR is somehow a “race” optic: it isn’t. It’s a combat/carry optic. The difference is important. Race optics tend to be delicate and/or finicky, often sacrificing reliability for field of view. Combat optics on the other hand, tend to sacrifice field of view for durability. The RMR is clearly in the latter category.
I fail to see why a raced up G34 (radically lightened trigger, highly modified frame, and giant magwell) or a 3,000-5,000 dollar full custom 1911 should be OK, but a Glock that is internally stock should be barred simply because it has glass on it.
Oh, I agree. IDPA left enough wiggle room to modify certain guns and should not have. But I have also noticed that the average shooter frowns on that gaming crap. For every tricked out G34 and Wilson there has to be at least one hundred stock G19. But we do not fix that problem by allowing more gaming stuff because some shooters do.
Also notice, most of the guys with tricked out guns are so intent on winning that they miss the fun. My worst shooting ever has been at Sanctioned matches…but damn I had loads of fun with the people.
I strongly disagree with the notion that rugged slide-mounted optics (like the Trijicon RMR) are somehow “gamer” gear.
In my opinion, the distinciton lies in the answer to one question: Would I carry a gun with *insert part here* on/in it?
I wouldn’t carry a pistol with a C-More on a cantilever mount, but I DO carry a Glock with a co-witnessed RMR.
IDPA is intended to be a training tool; As such, I see no reason why the rules should discriminate against my defensive pistol….
It’s not like I’d even be in competition to win, given that I’d be competing against the likes of A.J. Stuart, and Matt Olinchak on a regular basis: http://www.nepaidpascores.net/LP/2012-10-26.htm