Dr. Dan Thomas Lander Wyoming

I frequently hear attacks from politicians against private property rights in regards to firearms ownership. Many pro-gun people are upset with disgraced politicians like Dianne Feinstein, however I grant her the right to have her kindergarten-level opinion. I am not OK with her suggestions to initiate violence against me for owning and using property as I choose. She has however chosen to be a member of the ruling class, and I expect a lack of intellect from politicians.

Where I am more disappointed is when those that one would think are in favor of firearms ownership & training are in fact opposed to it. I am not just a part-time shooting instructor, my wife and I have made a business out of teaching others how to safely use and appreciate firearms. Since our inception in 2010, we have had ups and downs, and I would like to share one of the “downs” with you.

Dr. Dan Thomas Lander Wyoming In the winter of 2010, I wanted to also offer basic pistol training in Lander Wyoming, a wonderful community about 3 hours from my hometown of Jackson Hole. I reached out to the Lander Valley Sportsman’s Association in hopes of paying fair market value to use their range for my classes. I received an email saying that they did not allow third party instructors at their range. I wrote back with the following response:

Hello LVSA Board,

While I am disappointed about your vote, I understand that you have decided not allow range use for instruction by third parties. I do however hope one of you can offer me some advice. I imagine we all hope to expand shooting sports and therefore want as many training opportunities as possible to recruit new shooters and provide continuing education opportunities for experienced shooters.

I still hope to bring my class offerings to your area, and am wondering if any of you have any ideas about other safe places for me to hold firearms training sessions? I can probably find private land to use, but I would prefer to use an established range that I can encourage students to return to to continue their practice. If any of you have suggestions for me, I would welcome them! 🙂

Also, if your board would ever be willing to revisit my request, I would enjoy coming down and meeting you and pleading my case! 🙂

Thanks in advance,

Shepard Humphries

www.ShootInJH.com

I received the following rude cc-ed response from board member Dr. Dan Thomas Lander Wyoming to my contact person (a very polite & respectful man) Charles:

Charlie-

This is just sour grapes that he can’t come here and make money off us. Like I already said, I told this guy we already offered this to our members, & others in the community, so he’s just pissed he can’t get what he wants! In my humble opinion, this doesn’t’ even deserve a response, or certainly nothing that is courteous on anybodies part!

Regards,

Dan

DD THOMAS MD – bluetick1@bresnan.net

This response was one of the more discouraging attitudes I have heard from an active member of the shooting community. I can appreciate that perhaps Dr. Dan Thomas Lander Wyoming has signed an “exclusive use” agreement with the LVSA board. If that is in the best interest of the club – I think that is wonderful! I do however think that a polite and helpful response to other firearms trainers IS the industry standard and is best practice.

I hold no animosity toward the other members of the Lander Valley Sportsman’s Association. Since then, I have offered several training sessions at private ranches in the area. I hope to continue providing shooting instruction to the fine folks in Lander, someday at the established range, LVSA.

From this experience I have learned that when others are beginning in the industry, an encouraging word, respectful tone and smile is the best policy. I am very competitive, and I work hard on marketing, secure contracts, business systems and other “hard-core” business aspects. At the same time, there remains within me a soft place for those of like mind that also enjoy helping others learn to shoot.

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