[The_Rifleman]

Originally Posted by Ed~

I agree that the teachers usually are responsible for the students' mis-steps. Know that in this case the gun was handed to her as a tool for teaching, before we unpacked the ammo or even started setting up targets.

None of that changes your friends, worthless instruction. Your "teacher" set-them up to fail. She was handed a firearm not even knowing the four basic rules; let alone the range rules.

Originally Posted by Ed~

My buddy that day was not some kid with a gun collection but a 60+ year enthusiast/reloader, an Air Force Veteran and retired airline pilot, an NRA Lifer. I've taught the basic Motorcycle Safety Course to three different women who are still actively riding. My point is if this could happen with us around, it could theoretically happen with anyone.

Nothing in that paragraph is an excuse for inadequate instruction... and you have lent some blame on yourself.
Setting that aside...

1. 60+ year enthusiast/reloader
2. Air Force Veteran
3. retired airline pilot
4. NRA Lifer
5. taught the basic Motorcycle Safety Course

That does not qualify you two to fail miserably as firearms safety instructors.
Fallacy: Appeal to Authority

An Appeal to Authority is a fallacy with the following form:

1. Person A is (claimed to be) an authority on subject S.
2. Person A makes claim C about subject S.
3. Therefore, C is true.

This fallacy is committed when the person in question is not a legitimate authority on the subject. More formally, if person A is not qualified to make reliable claims in subject S, then the argument will be fallacious.
This sort of reasoning is fallacious when the person in question is not an expert...

Originally Posted by Ed~

As far as not disagreeing outright while still making the effort to clarify my views, that is what reasonable people do in a rational discussion. By definition, no debate can remain Black & White. Any discussion implies parsing out shades of gray, or you might as well chuck the brain out the window for ideologies.

"I agree completely" is an absolute; "parsing out shades of gray" is impossible with "completely."

Originally Posted by Ed~

Strict Ideologies historically are what lead to Concentration Camps. And there's no guarantee which side of the barbed wire fence you'll be standing if you choose to play that game.

I point out YOUR totalitarian tendencies, and now YOU are subject to a "Concentration Camps!" This is "parsing out shades of gray" in the reverse. This is the "surreal" I was talking about.

Originally Posted by Ed~

And, I might add, our Founding Fathers were masters of debate. Our entire governing system of Checks and Balances was designed to protect the populace from the Tyranny of Ideologues.

Don't look now, but there is a "master[] of debate" biting your other foot!

1. reasonable people
2. rational discussion
3. no debate
4. brain out the window
5. Concentration Camps
6. barbed wire fence
7. the Tyranny of Ideologues

I love that you are the victim to my tyranny! That's rich!