Review of Academy of Self Protection HCP Class

[mdlave]

I took the HCP class at ASP in Joelton this past Saturday. Our instructor was Frank Maschhoff, who I understand teaches many of the HCP classes there.

I was impressed from beginning to end. He has an excellent command of the material, and proceeded through the curriculum quickly and accurately. This class met and exceeded all of my expectations.

An aside-

One individual in the class was acting with negligence during the classroom time and the range time. During class, he was repeatedly inattentive. During range time, he failed to take instruction and, despite reprimands, failed to follow the "Three Fundamental Rules" repeatedly. Frank and the range staff did everything in their power to assist this gentleman, but ultimately the gentleman was asked to leave.

It is clear that safety is a top priority at ASP. I would absolutely recommend this class to friends or family. Hopefully, I can eventually get my girlfriend to attend.

[The Rabbi]

I think that says something that they asked the guy to leave. It means lost revenue to them, and no doubt bad publicity from him. And yet safety was more important. Good going!

[TripleDigitRide]

WOW! What was the guy doing wrong? That does say a lot for ASP.

[mdlave]

Yeah, ASP's commitment to the shooting community and the safety of their students over making a few extra (and unsafe) dollars on this guy was evident to me.

The guy was just an idiot. It didn't seem like belligerence, just idiocy (e.g. an instruction would be given on the range, and instead of leaving his gun pointed downrange and raising his hand for a clarification, he would turn around, with his gun and his eyes oriented in the same direction). Only one warning was given for this (after a great deal of instruction and precorrection), and he was asked to leave. Totally appropriate.

[Guest flyfishtn]

Glad you had the same experience I had with Frank and ASP. They are a good group of guys!

[Guest darkstar]

Yes, it was a very dangerous situation. It was really interesting to hear what this individual had to say after it happened. Pretty much said he was tired, etc, etc and what was the big deal. It was explained to him that safety is of paramount importance and that handling (and especially carrying) a firearm is not something to be taken lightly.

I've been helping out up there at ASP for some time now and have never seen anyone exhibit such a lack of regard for saftey. This guy really had no business handling firearms. Frank did a really good job dealing with this guy, but the "pointing" incident was the final straw and he was asked to leave.

Edited June 25, 2008 by darkstar