The plane wasn't legal.

Seems open to debate. Of course, you know how the NTSB report would
look....

They might not be able to stop on a short runway if they had to
divert in an emergency.

You can always come up with a scenario in a certain decision could
lead to catastrophe.

Is this what they are teaching students these days?

Not a big deal, IMO. Lots of instructors out there flying from the
right seat in Pipers without any brakes on their side, though they do
have the hand brake available.

If you land slow, as you ought to, then you shouldn't need a long
Class C runway to come to a stop.