If thugs, criminals, and such join your class Tim to use it against the law (and other people), do you take them as your students if not how do you refuse them?

Jesus, could you imagine if a thug became a master of martial arts, and used his skill against a police man with a gun? Oh man, that police man wouldn't stand a chance! It would also be good a good idea to keep bad people out of a friendly constructive place like a martial arts school, they might turn nice, then who whould we hate?

The reason I brought this up is because it was mentioned in this article: http://www.russianmartialart.com/main.php?page=m_fman

"Vasiliev admits his classes could draw criminals and other undesirables. He says he usually spots them within one or two sessions, and while he's never refused to teach someone, he has advised such students to pursue a different activity. I can imagine an argument from him would be persuasive."

And he could use his skill against other civilians, not necessarly with guns. He could learn for instance how to effectively use a knife against police or suprise them from behind.

Simple, to sign up they need to provide a police background check. If not, they can't join.

To sign up for shenwu? Or to sign up for any martial art/sport?

Arek,
Well, I imagine if a criminal came to my class and wanted to sign up, he most likely wouldn't introduce himself as a criminal so it might take some time to see what kind of person he was. I've never had a single student tell me his goal in practicing martial arts was to use it against the law.

In my experience, violent criminals don't train in organized martial arts schools (although I'm sure there are exceptions).

And, as Chris was alluding to above, people can change and often deserve second chances. I have had several students that have been in prison in the past, and who straightened themselves out. Why should they be denied the opportunity to cultivate a little more self discipline?

Tim took Bob #2 in. Nuf said.

while I'm a great admirer of Tim's- and have attended a seminar or two- I'm not his student.

I prefer to think of us as equals. Although he's a bit more equal than I am.

will bob #2 be fighting in the tournament?

no- Bob #2 is too deadly to fight in this tournament. I'd have to wear giant cotton-ball gloves to cushion my dim-mak fists.

I'm going to Cirque Du Solie instead.

Arek

One weapons instructor required students to first have a concealed weapons permit. That ensures that they have a satisfactory background check.

Supposedly inmstes do practice disarms and other techniques for use when they get out. These have even been caught on film in the exercise yards. However Daren Laur (sp) repeats that reported in at least one Canadian maximum security prison there are classes in karate, kung fu, and muy thai but they are used for exercise and stress relief. In the frequent real fights in this prison, none of these systems are used, just mostly going on instinct.