Down Right Annoying!

[stikiller]

Man, I just recent found a series of videos on you tube were a member of HPD's Special Services Division was using Koko Head shooting range to do things civilians/military are not allowed to do.  For example, Speed Reloads, VTAC Drills, Barricade Work, etc.  I am not against our LEO Paramilitary Brothers, but dam it. We could do these drills when I was stationed in the mainland.  I understand the concept of the SSD for the HPD, but dang it once again!  The guy is a good shot but needs to work on articulation. lol  Does the state of Hawaii really think that locals are dangerous with firearms?  I think not.  Some of the nicest people of the Earth if ask me.  I have been to far worst places in the world were people are not very hospitable/dangerous.  If you ask me, there a lot of good shooters on the island but they just do not have the opportunity to train in order to become great.  I love this island, but it is really unfair as a gun enthusiast to go from doing what you need to do versus being stoved-piped into ADHOC IPSC Competitions / Fun Shoot Events / Quasi Tactical Home Defense Instructors who are out to make a buck on those who only know what they know.  Rant off! 


Enjoy the Gun Show everybody!   

[Old Guy]

Yes, the Hawaii Law Enforcement Coalition has an elitist mentality.
 
They are on record as stating that the gun owners in Hawaii are not to be trusted to CCW.
 
They say that If Hawaii has CCW, there would be shooting and gun violence all over.
 
The vast majority of people that I know are Trustworthy with a CCW permit.
 
Having said that, I know at least one person whom I consider to ba a "loose cannon" with a firearm.
 
He has no regard for other people and thinks he's IT.  Has Major attitude about guns and other people.
He's soo bad, I will not get into a vehicle with him.  Even his driving is out of control.  Amazing he hasn't
killed himself or anyone else yet.
 
One of my other friends who knows more people than I, told me the other month, when we were discussing CCW
in Hawaii, that he personally knows of at least 6 people who shouldn't own guns.  But, they haven't done anything to warrant
loosing their guns.
 
Unfortunately, we are not at the stage where there is a "thought police" like in Science Fiction where Government can read minds
and weed out the "bad" thinkers......
 
In any society, there will always be the rotten apple trying to spoil the whole barrel.
 
When I meet new people in class, at the range, or just out and about in public, I am Always looking at that person's body language and how he/she talks about their 2A rights and firearms in general.
about firearms.
 
 

[stikiller]

Old Guy - I am glad that my observation are not off base. 


Being from the mainland I do not understand why the HLEC looks at local citizens in that way. 


I have held a CCW for ten years in various states and I do not seen the why Hawaii is so different.  Maybe I need to spend more time here, but it makes no sense.


A buddy of mine who posts on Hawaii Forums invited me various shooting events in the past two months before he went on TDY to parts unknown.


There a folks that really need to practice!  Yes, I observed one individual who though he was the MAN!  Funny, this guy talked about Gabe Suarez and introduced some of his basic fundamentals.  What confused me was how he related Gabe's material to the NRA.


I have taken several of Gabe's course and they are okay.  Most of his stuff is intended to make you feel good and he does not force you to commit to a standards test.  Gabe is a convicted felon, but a really nice guy. 


It shocked me how this guy took some new shooters and placed them on the gun line by doing "Lateral Drills".


He also went on to insult how ranges are ran in Texas.  This was a swore spot for me because he criticized how the ranges in Houston were poorly ran.  I am from Texas but got to respect some folks opinions.


It was a hoot to watch him and just sat in the back of the class watch the other participants.  Poor new shooters!  I felt bad.


That was my "IT" guy story and I hope this not the same guy? lol


As for CCW, I do not know what to say, but keep teaching these "neophytes" to seek credible training even if it is in the mainland.  I have a feeling you are with LIFE and they follow the NRA to the letter, which is good.


My buddy was invited to observe how LIFE operates its classes and he was impressed for a non profit organization. We both did some time as adjunct pistol/carbine instructors on the mainland, unfortunately we never got around to getting certified by the NRA.


Most of our training is similar to what Costa and Haley ripped off from other Tier 1 instructors.  They did a good job of marketing to the "mall ninjas" of the world.


Well, keep on vetting potential shooter as you see fit, it's a good thing!


I was just shocked to see someone doing all of the standard tricks of the trade at KHSC on You Tube.  They used the Life Bay and Shotgun Bay to "Run"  their platforms.  I believe it is unfair, but I guess the HPD needs any advantage they can get, even if it means prohibiting good shooter from become great shooters!   

[tonsofguns]

Got a question here, how is it possible for Gabe Suarez to be a convicted felon and a firearms instructor?

[2aHawaii]

I just love going to the range and being able to shoot one round per second while in the background you hear
Beep
BangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBang
BangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBang
Beep
coming from the action bays.
Ahhh, the sound of my inferiority.

[Alex Europa]

I just love going to the range and being able to shoot one round per second while in the background you hear
Beep
BangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBang
BangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBang
Beep
coming from the action bays.
Ahhh, the sound of my inferiority.

You know you can always come over and join the cool kids! 

- Alex

[stikiller]

ALEX - I really do not know how he does it.  I only found our about the felony after our fourth class when I went to Casa Grande a while back before going overseas.  I personally have no issues with him or what he teaches.  I just get concerned when individuals lauded only one instructor.  It limits their ability and perception when it comes to tactical/competitive shooting.   Like I said Bro, I do not how he does it but I'll try to find the article that talks about the lawsuit that was filed against him when he worked for the Santa Monica Police Department.  I would still take a class from him since he teaches COMBLOC techniques and tactics out of FM 7-8.  He is one of the few instructors who conducts team tactics on the civilian side. 


Most people who have never seen his techniques are memorized, but it's been around for while.  He just polished it up and made it look cool. Noting wrong with that because he is a good salesman.  When he was supposed to be coming out this past July to Hawaii.  A group of us were going to attend, but when he changed it to a no shoot course, we pulled out sensing something was wrong with the range.  We did not want to fly in from Texas to attend a theory based "what if" course". 


Pain and inoculation is a good motivator.  Air soft and Blue Guns makes you think you are invincible.  Now on his web page, the same no shoot class magically appeared out of no were and it had great reviews, but I did not recall it being there before.  It had review on "Warrior Talk" ,GS's blog, blog as well.  He is a good marketer no doubt.


So please so not feel like I am attacking the Man.  Just pointing out the obvious for some.  He is a good man but with these days we need to spend our money wisely when it comes to shooting, unless you have a huge disposable income which I do not.


Sorry to be so long winded but I'll look for the article and post!


2AHAWAII - I too love Beep-bang-bang-bang-bang.  A buddy of mine shot at one of the night matches just recently and I gave him a hard time for not hitting the target.  I asked him what happened and he said the same thing.  He wanted to here the Beep-bang-bang-bang!  I just wish he would hit the target.  He is better that and asked why he did not take it seriously.  Geez, he ranked as a "Master" among IPSC circles and an "Expert" among IDPA circles over five years ago.  I know he can do better but it was for fun and nobody's life was at stake so I guess he was right!  Much like me, we are tired of competing and would rather take a bunch of shooting classes since you do not have to solve multiple complex problems all the time after the buzzer.  Old rabbits are hard to change. I need to get out and shoot as well!


 

[Alex Europa]

For the record, tonsofguns was the one who asked the initial question, but a really quick search on Google seems to show that he plead the charges down to misdemeanors. I don't care enough to look into in further, but since he has been operating his business for several years now after the conviction, it would appear that he is not a felon.

- Alex

[stikiller]

Oh I apologize about the confusion ToF, my bad.

Alex like I said, one of the shooters at Casa Grade told me about it and I  still continued to take classes from him because of time, cost, and entertainment. This link was sent to me buy a buddy of mine who works for the Austin Police Department. 

http://www.tacticalforums.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000326.html

It illustrates how and why he was charged and how he got off.  This was new to me and thank you for allowing me to do more research on the issue.

Gabe is a gifted speaker/instructor and he has a nit-ch for it.  Some try to emulate his style, but often fail miserably at it.  Very instinctive guy.  He was an up and coming tactical instructor until the "Workers Comp" issue came about.  Most  folks questioned the ethical side of the incident.  Too bad, but he has rebounded well!  This is why he is shunned among the current institutional shooting community in the mainland. He has an occult like following which is contagious.  I have to admit I am one of them.

However, I have no issues with him.  He is a good businessman.  I will through money/time to any organization if they can deliver.  I just have an issue as to how the instruction is marketed, and thats purely my opinion and I'll keep it at that.

We were hoping to do some team tactics in Hawaii back in July, but when it fell through we knew we it was not Gabe's fault and it must have been with the host.  Most of the time that is were the disconnect is and we have had our share of moving to an alternate sites to shoot more than once.  Hosts often over-promise and under-deliver unless you have a dedicated range to use.

You know, I am glad we got to meet a lot of different firearm instructor personality and skill sets while living on the mainland. I hear there is strong Gabe Suarez following on the island and if I stepped on any body toes, relax folks.  It's going to be okay because Gabe is one of many "paramilitary" instructors who are brave enough to teach this stuff to civilians for profit without being monitored by government agencies.    This why you never post pictures of "tactical cool" training pictures on the net unless you have permission or block their face.  I learned this the hard way.  Seriously, you never know who is targeting you. 

Not everybody wants to join the military or serve as LEO's and these school serve as way to fulfill that survivalist fantasy.  So get off the island and see what is out there if you have the funds.

I am glad he is not a felon because he is a Devout Christian who found God and I truly respect that.

I hope all is forgiven Alex so please excuse my ignorance.     

[Alex Europa]

Nothing to forgive. I really wasn't worried about it...just clarifying that I wasn't the one who asked the question.

- Alex

[stikiller]

Okeey Doookey Bro!  No worries!

[Deeeeviant]

I just love going to the range and being able to shoot one round per second while in the background you hear
Beep
BangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBang
BangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBang
Beep
coming from the action bays.
Ahhh, the sound of my inferiority.

Come on down, you're more then welcome! 

[Old Guy]

stikiller, Nope different guys.
 
I think I know who you are referring to.  The Wife says he needs to get a life.
 
About training, Train to where you feel you are comfortable and confident in your gun handling.
 
The Wife and I feel we don't need to train to the point where we are Jr SWAT.  We just train to the level
where We feel we can handle home and mall situations(if we have CCW).
 
Anything more requires Combat tactics/training and equipment.  If it does, we won't have what we Need anyway.

[Deeeeviant]

It's unfortunate that we actually have to leave the island just to enroll in any form of training class (let alone practice on our own), whether it be rifle, handgun, precision rifle, etc. Though in essence, it's probably in a good way since like stikiller mentioned, there are more options at hand.

[Funtimes]

I just love going to the range and being able to shoot one round per second while in the background you hear
Beep
BangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBang
BangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBangBang
Beep
coming from the action bays.
Ahhh, the sound of my inferiority.

You know you can always come over and join the cool kids! 

- Alex

I would be interested in learning how!

[Deeeeviant]

www.mppl.net

[Alex Europa]

www.mppl.net

Werd. 

[nf9648]

I think SSDSurf's videos are pretty cool, the guy definitely is good.  All you need to get a bay for yourself to do cool stuff is join or form a shooting club and schedule it.  Im sure SSD or HPD in general has a bay for themselves whenever they request it, but there are other clubs who shoot on that side throughout the week as well.