Oh, Is That So?

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Friday's post has me thinking about a funny story. Way, way back, when I taught my first Tennessee Enhanced Handgun Carry Permit (EHCP) class in 2020, there was a funny happening. This is that story. 

CONTEXT
Setting: because there were several things converging that applied pressure on me at that time, let's list them here, as it gives context to the story. 
  • It was the first EHCP class I had ever taught. 
  • There were at least three other carry permit instructors observing, as they wanted to see how I taught it. Reminder: it was the first time I had taught that class. 
  • The EHCP class material comes from the State of Tennessee, and must be taught in accordance to their standards. 
  • The State Inspector for that area had asked to audit the class. It was my first class. 
  • The only method of delivery of the power point was a projector. Yes, old school.
  • The survey for instructors included "did the instructor answer all my questions?" The problem here was my concern for the all-inclusive language, and that included questions not pertinent to the material. 
  • The unknown (at that time) factor of whether the survey on my ability to teach that class in the future. The range I partner with needed someone certified to teach the class. 

THE EVENT
So these things converge. As we move through the material, questions naturally arise. I answered those questions to the best of my ability. One particular section of the EHCP material was what to do in the event you are pulled over by law enforcement. The material was thin here, although accurate for what it was. 

A question arose around the idea of DUI, and arrests for that affecting the status of the Tennessee Enhanced Handgun Carry Permit. Simply put, a DUI conviction will place the EHCP in jeopardy. The question was, "so I can have my permit taken away just because some jurisdiction was behind on their quota?" 

I answered in the affirmative, and this led to a brief conversation about police quotas, how they exist, and how they hurt We The People. Then we moved on to the next topic in the material. 


AFTERMATH
The State Inspector was giving his assessment of the class. As with any assessment, some of it was subjective, and some of it was objective. One of the subjective bits of feedback given was "don't talk about police quotas in a carry permit class. We all know they don't exist."
My reply: "They don't exist?!?! There are many documented cases of them existing." 
Inspector: "I would need to see evidence of that."

Monday morning, he got an email with a dozen links from instances where only the Tennessee Highway Patrol had been called out for having quotas. And a suggestion that he Google the subject prior to making a sweeping statement. Of course, that is a problem our species has and has had for as long as anyone can remember: some people speak authoritatively on things they possess little or no knowledge about. Sometimes, that is explained by the Dunning-Kruger effect. Sometimes, it is because people simply lie. Sometimes it is because of ego. 




SUMMARY
This story has a happy ending. That particular individual no longer works as an inspector. He also made several other hilarious comments in that assessment. Maybe that is a post for another day. 

What say you? 

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