IDPA Rules Change

Petition by Wisconsin Area IDPA Shooters to:

Bill Wilson and the Board of the International Defensive Pistol Association


Bill:

Thank you for involving the membership of IDPA in the formation of a new rule book for our sport. The fact that you have listened to the memberships input since the first version came out in January tells us that you are serious about making the rule book as good as it can be.

We recognize the need to return to basic principles of concealment for equipment, as outlined in the Purpose section, and we understand and agree that some equipment changes, particularly to holsters, are in order. However, we feel too much controversy remains in the way the rule book is currently written. We also feel that members may be forced to replace equipment that is perfectly serviceable for daily concealed carry due to the current form of the rule book equipment appendix.

We therefore petition you to make the following changes to the rule book.

1. Under Appendix One, C., Holsters, subsection 2. Criteria of an IDPA Approved Holster, we feel there is a flaw. Rule F (the daylight rule) is highly subjective, whereas Rule I (the rule) is objective, and may contradict each other in some cases. We are particularly concerned that shooters who have thick midriffs may need more offset to their holsters in order to safely draw and reholster their pistols, which may well be prohibited under Rule F but permitted under Rule I.
(Rule K under the Not Permitted portion of subsection 2 should likewise be deleted.) In the interest of clarity of rules interpretation and of shooter safety, we therefore petition the Board to delete Rule F and make Rule I the sole criterion for holster offset approval.
2. Under Appendix One, E., Ammunition Carriers, subsection 1. IDPA Magazine Carrier Criteria, we feel there is a flaw. Rule C stipulates that the magazine must be held with sufficient tension that a loaded magazine will not drop out when held upside-down. Rule D stipulates that the magazine carrier must cover 2 of the magazine. We feel that Rule C clearly defines the functional requirement of a magazine carrier, and that Rule D does not address function in any way. As such, Rule D is redundant. We therefore petition the Board to delete Rule D and make Rule C the sole criterion for magazine carrier approval.

We recognize that printing deadlines may preclude inclusion of such changes to the rule book, if approved. In that case, we ask that the Board post written clarification of these rules on the IDPA website, and/or mail a letter to Area Coordinators and Match Directors explaining the rules changes.

We, the undersigned members of IDPA: