This is interesting, from a guy who recommends that newcomers start in Steel Challenge and progress to USPSA after a year of getting their feet wet! Which isn't a bad idea, considering the complexities of "runnin' and gunnin'".
It's also an old form of winning an argument by overstating the other person's position and making fun of it. Nobody said to "send a first timer home for a minor technical issue". The OP was smart, asked first, found out what the rule is, and can adjust as needed. If someone turns up with an optical device on their 1911, there's a Division they can shoot in (and, after all, the argument goes "he'll come in last place" anyway, or "he won't win the Winnebago", or whatever).
I know of several high-quality clubs where people start USPSA with Level-II stages and application of all the rules, and they grow right into themselves and the sport without undue psychological harm. There's an ongoing thread about "how come we can't get people involved in USPSA", and it seems that about half the folks who come once don't come back anyway, and the ones who want to get familiar with the rule book (eventually ), adjust their gear, and rock and roll with the rest of us.