You haven't read the book??????

I get anywhere from ten to thirty emails a week asking about firearm, weapon, and self defense issues, and most of the emails are from folks who've read the book -- and just need clarification on something, or missed something already in the book.  My website specifically says that BEFORE you send in a question -- I expect you've read the book -- and where it's clear you haven't -- I'll often just refer the person to the page where their answer is at.  My theory being -- I'm not doing them any favors by answering a question they should already know.

Why?

Because 99% of the questions are answered if you bothered to read the book -- or check the index or table of contents.  On the other hand -- most instructors I deal with read the book at least twice a year -- every year -- and they all tell me the same thing:   Every time they read it they pick up additional information.  On the first read -- you just can't absorb all the stuff that's in there.  Likewise,  the more you read it -- the more sense it makes because you finally have a point of reference for the myriad of material there is to know.  Plus -- rereading reinforces what you've read, and of course -- what you've forgotten (Damn, that short term memory!).

I tell folks:  "Please don't call me unless it is an actual case after an actual arrest!"  I DON'T answer legal questions over the phone!  It's like calling up an electrician and asking him how to rewire your house cause you're too cheap to pay him to do it.  People still do it.  And usually, I'm polite, and just tell them their question must be emailed -- but sometimes, if I'm really bored to death -- I'll answer it if it is not complex, and doesn't take any thinking.   [Many questions really have to be given "thinking" time for an answer -- sometimes even "research" time.  That's a primary reason I don't answer questions over the phone].

But today -- I was knocked over!!!

A guy called up on a BASIC question.  He stumbled across my website -- couldn't find or get the question answered anywhere else -- never read or even heard about my book -- and was an NRA CERTIFIED FIREARMS INSTRUCTOR!!!!

Geez!   You're a firearms instructor -- and haven't read my book?   What the hell are you doing teaching in Florida?  That's incredible!!!

I mean . . .  you can read the statutes all day long -- but unless you've been trained as an attorney, and have also bothered to read all the case law that pertains to that statute and other related statutes (and federal statutes and regs -- because the regs are critical in federal law) -- YOU'VE GOT A BETTER THAN 50/50 CHANCE OF GETTING IT WRONG!    You wouldn't believe all the emails I've gotten from folks telling me their interpretation of some of the easier statutes -- that are totally off base!

So . . .  does it bother you that an NRA instructor doesn't understand even basic firearms law???

It should -- but unfortunately . . .  even though the book has been around for twenty years (and probably sixty or more revisions) -- it is still Florida's  BEST KEPT SECRET.   Numerous gun shops and ranges REFUSE to carry it (especially the big retail chain stores).  Many more fail to recommend it to customers, and just let it sit on a shelf and try to sell itself.  And yet -- every instructor who has the book that I know has said that "no Florida gun owner should be without it".  Several have even made it mandatory to taking their courses.

I know -- this post is getting boring.  It's a plug for the book.   In one sense -- you're correct.  But, in another sense -- it really is a wake-up call how LITTLE many of our companions in arms really know about the law.  The fact is:  IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE BOOK -- YOU DON'T KNOW THE LAW -- and that makes you a walking target for an arrest that could have been avoided!  And,  that goes for attorneys,  judges, law enforcement -- and everyone else -- including firearm instructors!

So -- next time you're with your buddies -- or at the range -- let me suggest you ask:  "Do you have the Florida Firearms book?"  And if they say "no".   Ask them -- "Why not"?   You'll be doing them a favor.