Because many states now have "concealed carry" permits for owners of handguns, required training courses for these owners have multiplied.

It’s interesting to note that in states where civilians are licensed to carry concealed handguns, there are fewer street crimes. Apparently the bad guys aren’t willing to gamble on whether or not their intended victim is armed. They don’t like even odds.

Henry Miller, at the Deadly Force Institute based in New England, is a firearms instructor with a background of teaching small arms skills for a quarter of a century.

One of his pupils on this day is Miss Norma, a local lawyer who has taken firearms training before and is considered a skilled gun handler. Her weapon of choice is a model-29, 10-mm Glock semi-automatic pistol.

Miller is teaching five students in a five-day advanced seminar. The pupils on the firing line have shot 10 rounds at their targets, dropped their clips, inserted a second (pre-loaded) clip, then jacked a fresh round into the chamber.

After Miss Norma completes the reloading task, she slides the pistol into her left-handed holster.

BANG! The gun fires, sending a 10-mm round into the side of her left leg. Apparently, the holster Miss Norma is using is not designed for her model-29 semi-automatic. Forcing the pistol into the poor-fit holster brushes the trigger. Fortunately, the bullet grazes the skin just under the surface but does not penetrate deeply into her leg. That’s fortunate, because a 10-mm bullet is a big chunk of lead.

Miss Norma is treated at a local emergency room and released. Miller describes Miss Norma to reporters as, "a very skillful and confident gunhandler." What Instructor Miller did not say to the press was: "Miss Norma, now go buy yourself a holster that’s right for your gun."

We’re sure Miss Norma won’t need another reminder. Wonder if she can sell her old holster?

For sale: "Used holster — shot only once."