The Polite Society
Encyclopedia
The Polite Society is an American
organization that holds shooting events designed to test defensive skills with a handgun
. This organization was formed primarily by Tom Givens of Memphis, Tennessee
and Jim Higgenbotham of Kentucky
, both of whom have military and law enforcement experience, and both actively train civilian, military, and police departments in various places around the United States.
The society name and idea come from a quote by Robert A. Heinlein
who wrote: "An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life".
After exploring various formats for about a year, the Polite Society was formed as a not-for-profit corporation and officially opened its doors for membership on February 21, 2003.
Stages in any Polite Society event must represent real scenarios that are actually likely to happen in real life or must test skills relevant to real life encounters.
Targets used are generally one of two types: Humanoid reactive, or humanoid cardboard/paper targets with scoring zones. When using cardboard targets, the requirement is usually a minimum number of points on the target for it to be considered neutralized, and not something arbitrary such as "two hits per target". Scoring zones on these targets will place a major emphasis on accuracy, requiring the contestants to actually hit what would be considered a "vital zone" on a human.
Scores are involved in many of the shooting programs, and they are scored under a wide variety of systems, but the thrust is to gauge skill, not to compete. Participants compete against themselves or against a standard of excellence.
Most major matches include separate training classes or seminars in addition to the shooting event. In particular, the yearly national tactical match, originally held at Rangemaster in Memphis, TN, then for a couple of years at the Memphis Police Department Shooting range, and now currently at the United States Shooting Academy in Tulsa, Oklahoma, hosts multiple trainers from around the country, and any shooter that attends the shooting event may attend any of the additional training and seminars of his or her choice for no extra charge. This allows students to participate in training that would normally cost much more than the nominal event fee (approximately $100 to $200). Because it involves more than just shooting, the event is usually billed as a "training event" rather than a "shooting match". Some people who attend the events don't shoot but only participate in the classes and seminars.
The Polite Society does not strive to replace or compete with other shooting sports. It intends to provide a training venue for individuals who feel that many competitive shooters focus too little on real-life skills needed by everyday permit holders and police officers.
The Polite Society supports other sports and suggest participation in them for gaining skill at marksmanship. Most of the trainers and board members hold active memberships and compete in other shooting sports, and many have served on the board of directors of other sports. The Polite Society believes mechanical skill is only one facet of self defense, and that good tactics should not be discouraged by the scoring system, and poor tactics should be penalized.
The Polite Society has already attracted many quality trainers and is in the process of developing an advisory board of the best-known weapon craft trainers and experts extant. Already that list includes (alphabetically) Tom Givens, Marty Hayes, Jim Higginbotham, Keith Pridgen, Karl Rehn, Andy Stanford, Gabe Suarez.
Utah
(Greater Salt Lake) holds a Polite Society Event the first Saturday of every month. The general public new to the concept of armed self defense and concealed carry has become the focus of the group. Many founding members have attended shooting schools such as Front Sight Firearms Training Institute
in Nevada and Gunsite Training Center
in Arizona. In spring 2007, UPS hosted Gabe Suarez for a week long close range gunfighting and force on force training session. Utah Polite Society is a resource for new CCW holders as well as experienced handgun shooters.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
organization that holds shooting events designed to test defensive skills with a handgun
Handgun
A handgun is a firearm designed to be held and operated by one hand. This characteristic differentiates handguns as a general class of firearms from long guns such as rifles and shotguns ....
. This organization was formed primarily by Tom Givens of Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
and Jim Higgenbotham of Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, both of whom have military and law enforcement experience, and both actively train civilian, military, and police departments in various places around the United States.
The society name and idea come from a quote by Robert A. Heinlein
Robert A. Heinlein
Robert Anson Heinlein was an American science fiction writer. Often called the "dean of science fiction writers", he was one of the most influential and controversial authors of the genre. He set a standard for science and engineering plausibility and helped to raise the genre's standards of...
who wrote: "An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life".
After exploring various formats for about a year, the Polite Society was formed as a not-for-profit corporation and officially opened its doors for membership on February 21, 2003.
Competition rules
All equipment used by competitors must be appropriate for everyday concealed carry. Any equipment that does not meet this requirement cannot be used in a Polite Society match.Stages in any Polite Society event must represent real scenarios that are actually likely to happen in real life or must test skills relevant to real life encounters.
Targets used are generally one of two types: Humanoid reactive, or humanoid cardboard/paper targets with scoring zones. When using cardboard targets, the requirement is usually a minimum number of points on the target for it to be considered neutralized, and not something arbitrary such as "two hits per target". Scoring zones on these targets will place a major emphasis on accuracy, requiring the contestants to actually hit what would be considered a "vital zone" on a human.
Events
Polite Society events do not focus on sport shooting or competition, but instead on the triad of marksmanship, gun handling, and tactical skills. Participants do not win trophies, but come to improve themselves and others, and to gain knowledge and information.Scores are involved in many of the shooting programs, and they are scored under a wide variety of systems, but the thrust is to gauge skill, not to compete. Participants compete against themselves or against a standard of excellence.
Most major matches include separate training classes or seminars in addition to the shooting event. In particular, the yearly national tactical match, originally held at Rangemaster in Memphis, TN, then for a couple of years at the Memphis Police Department Shooting range, and now currently at the United States Shooting Academy in Tulsa, Oklahoma, hosts multiple trainers from around the country, and any shooter that attends the shooting event may attend any of the additional training and seminars of his or her choice for no extra charge. This allows students to participate in training that would normally cost much more than the nominal event fee (approximately $100 to $200). Because it involves more than just shooting, the event is usually billed as a "training event" rather than a "shooting match". Some people who attend the events don't shoot but only participate in the classes and seminars.
The Polite Society does not strive to replace or compete with other shooting sports. It intends to provide a training venue for individuals who feel that many competitive shooters focus too little on real-life skills needed by everyday permit holders and police officers.
The Polite Society supports other sports and suggest participation in them for gaining skill at marksmanship. Most of the trainers and board members hold active memberships and compete in other shooting sports, and many have served on the board of directors of other sports. The Polite Society believes mechanical skill is only one facet of self defense, and that good tactics should not be discouraged by the scoring system, and poor tactics should be penalized.
The Polite Society has already attracted many quality trainers and is in the process of developing an advisory board of the best-known weapon craft trainers and experts extant. Already that list includes (alphabetically) Tom Givens, Marty Hayes, Jim Higginbotham, Keith Pridgen, Karl Rehn, Andy Stanford, Gabe Suarez.
Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
(Greater Salt Lake) holds a Polite Society Event the first Saturday of every month. The general public new to the concept of armed self defense and concealed carry has become the focus of the group. Many founding members have attended shooting schools such as Front Sight Firearms Training Institute
Front Sight Firearms Training Institute
Front Sight Firearms Training Institute, also known as Front Sight, is a privately owned and operated facility for training people how to safely operate firearms in both recreational and self-defense settings, also referred to as "comfort of skill at arms". It was founded in 1996 by Dr...
in Nevada and Gunsite Training Center
Gunsite Training Center
Gunsite is a privately-run firearms training facility based in Yavapai County, Arizona, just north of Paulden in the United States. It offers tuition-funded instruction in handgun, carbine, rifle and shotgun shooting, as well as other specialty firearms. Located on a facility, Gunsite has...
in Arizona. In spring 2007, UPS hosted Gabe Suarez for a week long close range gunfighting and force on force training session. Utah Polite Society is a resource for new CCW holders as well as experienced handgun shooters.