CCW permit holder ?

[Andrew Homan]

For those of you that have permits to carry I have some questions.

1. Did you have to attend a class? If so how long was it?

2. What did you like about the class and what did you dislike?

3. What would you like to see added to the class?

4. How much did you pay?

5. Was the instructor a macho gun geek or a professional with real experience?

6. Did you get enough range time?

Please feel free to add any comments. I'm considering getting certified to teach the class here in Texas and would like to do it right. Would like to cater to new shooters and females. I like starting with a clean slate.

 

[AU_88]

1. no
2. n/a
3. n/a
4. $20
5. I hope a professional
6. Never as much as I would like....

 

[Andrew Homan]

Robert the class was only $20.00?

 

[group captain mandrake]

I had to take a course that was a few hours on two consecutive Saturdays followed by range qualifications. I don't remember how much it cost (I don't think it was very much), but every year I renew costs $5.00. It has been such a long time ago that the only thing I remember about the course was how impressed I was with the instructors, they were really informative & more than willing to stay after class to discuss all manner of LE & weapons stuff. They even brought some of their own handguns to the range to let people shoot something that they had not shot before.

 

[Rugbier]

Andrew,

The permits I have, only one required a class and that was UT.

UT = 6 hours class, no range time required. Instructors very professional and some Rambo for friends of mine - Cost $ 100.00

 

[Andrew Homan]

Do you guys think offerring a class that went above the basic requiremnets would be worth it. I would like to cover more that just what the state law requires.

 

[Rugbier]

Maybe would be a great combo between the basic Requirement and a NRA basic firearm

 

[az_max]

For those of you that have permits to carry I have some questions.

1. Yes, 4hrs class, 4hrs range

2. First class back in 98 was a joke. Besides the law stuff they had to teach, not much practical info. Range time was "ok, draw your weapon and fire one round at the target.... ok, now draw and fire two.." No real time limit. As long as you hit the target you passed. Second class taught by my former coworker was much better. She made sure the people in the class knew how to hold their weapon, how to stand and what you should be aiming for when your adrenaline is through the roof. (as well as key terms to tell the cops: "shoot to stop the situation" "I felt my life was in danger", etc). Range was much better too with Kate concentrating on hitting the target and how you hold yourself.

3. not much.

4. $150 the first time, $75 the second, $60 the third (refresher course)

5. first class was macho gun geeks. Second was trained professional:
http://www.tntdefensive.net/index.php?pr=Resume She could fuck you up five different ways. And she's a little short older lady. Looks like someone's grandma.


6. Yes

Az doesn't require a CCW to conceal a weapon anymore, but without the cert, you don't get reciprocity with other states. I plan to keep mine, even if it costs me more per year.

 

[Ballah06]

No class required when I got mine. Being still on active duty, just showed the military ID. Renewal after that is as simple as filling out a form. Renewal is $50 for 5 years IIRC.
Have you looked at other things you could teach as well to target non-shooters so to speak? Not sure about TX and the laws there, but something to the effect of security guard courses (armed/unarmed) and similar that could generate more revenue and should not be too hard to get certified in.
Don't want to flood the thread with unrealistic initial suggestions, but anything that is not being already taught in the area, although there may be a market for? Like foreign weapons courses for example (i.e. AK, etc). Plenty of people own them, but with no prior experience they may be looking for a place that will specialize in a course which specifically targets these weapons (operation, cleaning, dis/ass, etc.).

 

[ptschram]

Indiana resident.

I proved I was a proper person back in 1980 and have had a permit ever since.

Lifetime now, no renewal.

So far, it's the only thing Indiana has that is attractive.

Limited reciprocity-I'll take my chances, I've at least proven to one state I'm a proper person.

 

[Drillbit]

1. 3 hours

2.its basic but I didnt want to be there for a week

3. dancing women

4.75 bucks, state mandates what they can charge here

5. not really either, ole country boy, he was fine

6. not much

Lots of competition out there, and you face the ethical quandary of arming some of these knuckle heads

 

[DennyDoler]

Andrew, this is for Ga

1. Did you have to attend a class? If so how long was it?
NO, must have clear background check performed by local LEA
2. What did you like about the class and what did you dislike?
n/a
3. What would you like to see added to the class?
n/a
4. How much did you pay?
$25 for permit renew every 5 years / $25 for background check
5. Was the instructor a macho gun geek or a professional with real experience?
n/a
6. Did you get enough range time?
n/a

 

[Andrew Homan]

No class required when I got mine. Being still on active duty, just showed the military ID. Renewal after that is as simple as filling out a form.
Have you looked at other things you could teach as well to target non-shooters so to speak? Not sure about TX and the laws there, but something to the effect of security guard courses (armed/unarmed) and similar that could generate more revenue and should not be too hard to get certified in.
Don't want to flood the thread with unrealistic initial suggestions, but anything that is not being already taught in the area, although there may be a market for? Like foreign weapons courses for example (i.e. AK, etc). Plenty of people own them, but with no prior experience they may be looking for a place that will specialize in a course which specifically targets these weapons (operation, cleaning, dis/ass, etc.).

I have thought about doing many of the things you suggested. I may. I kinda want to test the water with a basic class then see how it goes with others. Looking at other instructors around here I find that very few have any actual experience when it comes to armed confrontation.

 

[sean]

We hired a guy to come out to the shop and teach a class for employees and friends, we paid $125. It was the standard 10hrs. Texas requires.
He was very professional and broke the class up over three nights and a Saturday morning at the range. It was nice we spent part of the class having dinner.
The range was the best part we had a private range and did a quick qualification then were allowed to shoot as much as we wanted.
I can't think of anything I would change, we were all shooters and friends so we didn't have any of the problems He told us about with some of his more inexperienced classes.

I think it would be nice to try and hold small private classes of friends as opposed to anybody who signs up gets in.
That way when you get people who don't know as much or somebody who shouldn't be allowed to play with sharp object in the class, Their friends can help out as opposed to the said person making everybody nervous and you dedicating all your time trying to watch them.

 

[akronk1]

1. A safety class / couple of classses during the evenings
2. Instructors very safety concious/knowledgable, (they also taught any area school kids marksman ship skills). Was done at a town range/club
3. Good coffee. How about hooking up with a range that rents, so you could work with your less "confident" customers in using/trying various sidearms to help them with their future purchase decision.
4. Think it was $50 bk then, when I get some time probably get the UT (think it's $100-120)
5. professional with experience. Macho geek would have turned me off - I 'm spending my TIME and money
6. No, only had to show safe handleing and able to hit target with a pistol and revolver.

After I got the certificate, needed two letters of character, fingerprint check, form and $ to my town.......wait for several weeks then get letter to go to local PD to get a paper permit for a ccw good only in my town. Then get state ccw, needed town ccw, state form, $, go to State PD barrack for pic and ID. Renew every 5 years (just $)

 

[ArmyRover]

I just did the back ground check and paid $25 bucks no class required.

 

[Ash]

For those of you that have permits to carry I have some questions.

1. Did you have to attend a class? If so how long was it?

Yes; I believe 2 hours is the requirement in Florida.

2. What did you like about the class and what did you dislike?

I took the course with 10-15 other students -- several of which had incredibly limited experience with handguns. More than one had never even handled a firearm before. The instructor basically gave a rundown of the differences between and functions of an automatic pistol and a revolver, safe handling/loading/unloading practice, and a brief overview of state law.

After the class we went to the range where the instructor had each student individually load 5 rounds, fire downrange, inspect their firearm and place it back on the bench.

3. What would you like to see added to the class?

Honestly I think a proficiency test should be an absolute requirement in any licensing course, whether or not required by the state. I think this is a crowd that understands the potential dangers of an inexperienced individual in possession of a firearm in a public place.

I think the most ideal course would be one that divides the class into beginner and intermediate/experienced groups. One instructor teaches the beginner class proficiency with a handgun, while another instructor gives the experienced class lessons in more advanced techniques.

4. How much did you pay?

$75

5. Was the instructor a macho gun geek or a professional with real experience?

He walked the line. He definitely struck me as a gun geek out of the gate, but carried himself in a fairly professional manner. I can't recall his credentials, but I don't think he had any 'extra-curricular' experience.

6. Did you get enough range time?

Absolutely not. Like I said above, 5 shots downrange was the requirement. As long as you didn't hit floor or ceiling you were good to go. I think a proper class should be biased towards shooting fundamentals rather than reviewing laws on when and when not to shoot. I think the large majority of CCW holders understand when it is the right time to shoot. Focus should be directed to what happens once an individual's pistol leaves the holster.

 

[KyleT]

there is a place in tyler that does it. take the class, send in the paperwork, be happy. (and get the insurance). Oh and rent a gun that is very easy to work with for the "test"

class is 8hrs or so.

check is done when you apply for the permit IIRC. but you have to have a check to own a gun anyway

100 is the going rate here in fort worth

the instructor here is ex military gun guru, not mocho at all IMO.

Get range time beforehand, iirc you dont shoot much for the class...

all from what my mom told me about the class. i will do it whenever we find out where we are going to live.

 

[Mike26]

I took the Texas test last January. Took about 10 hours if I recall correctly. Liked the tactical videos the instructor showed, he was teaching more to experienced gun users instead of people who have never held one before. I would have liked to see more tactical videos and more methods of getting out of altercations alive. My class was $100 and that included the passport photos. Then there was of course the $100+ to the state for the license. The instructor seemed quite professional, he was a former law enforcement officer. I wish we got more range time, it was only enough to put the 50 rounds down range to qualify, that was it.

 

[Gearhed79]

Background, fingerprints, $56 bucks (for 5 years) and 48hrs later, I was a CCW permit holder.