Should there be a training requirement for issuance of a CHP?

[RSillsbee]

Colorado’s training requirement is pretty lax, I could have showed my pistol qualification on my DD214 and met the requirement. I took a class because my wife wanted me to take it w/ her when she got her permit. My wife was an absolute novice when she took he class and she informed me that she learned nothing from a class that ended up costing us over 200$ to take. I don’t see the point.

I’ve never met anyone who decided to get a concealed handgun license w/out some prior knowledge of firearms and firearms safety. I’ve also never met an idiot whose unsafe gun handling was changed by a three hour class.

I realize that it’s counter intuitive but I really don’t see that training requirements make us safer all I see them doing is opening a door for the state to set the bar so high no one can clear it.

[rrneck]

1. Yes.

When I took my CHL class there were a few people there who had never held a firearm. They had to rent one to take the class. But more importantly, carrying a firearm outside the home is a more challenging tactical and legal environment and in the interest of public safety it's a good idea to make sure everyone that has a CHL is familiar with the law and the consequences of a mistake. Even more importantly, general knowledge of any technology that is as pervasive as a handgun is good for gun owners and non owners alike. When someone gets their training it isn't kept a secret. He or she will know others who may never own a gun, but through them will learn something of the rules of engagement and the legal ramifications of firearms carriage. That's what makes CHL laws progressive: the use of government to educate the general population in the interest of progress for all.

[RSillsbee]

2. I'm having a hard time w/ this

When I took my CHL class there were a few people there who had never held a firearm

I would guess that this is not the norm. There was no one in in the class I took w/out some familiarity w/ firearms.

Why would a person that never even held a gun before decide they needed a permit to carry one?

[Straw Man]

3. Maybe it was New York State.

Why would a person that never even held a gun before decide they needed a permit to carry one?

In New York State, it is against the law to handle a handgun without a permit.* The only legally allowable pre-licensure training is safety training that doesn't involve handling actual firearms.

*There is an exception for those under 21. They are allowed to do live-fire training with a certified instructor. Once they turn 21, no more touching handguns without being licensed.

[rrneck]

4. Shit man, I can't even explain hula hoops. :)

Times change and people who have never had a gun decide they need one. I've seen a few threads right here from people who have never had a gun that decided to get one. After a few decades of Democrats thinking "ewwww" about guns they're starting to buy them, especially after eight years of those fascists in the last administration. I've met any number of people who not only are former hippies, but are considering their first firearm because of that little wake up call. But those buyers are second and maybe even third generation non-gun owners. Add to that number the increasing number of single women (those were the ones I saw) who may decide to get one. Technology always spreads and the gun genie has jumped nekkid right out of the bottle.

While I don't think the number of gun buying former non gun owners will increase dramatically quite yet, it won't take many boneheads making stupid mistakes to give everyone a black eye. I am a little afraid the carry laws in states like Arizona will eventually prove to be overreach and cause an actual backlash against CCW. They may work now, but cultures change and education is the best way to prepare for that change.

[chibajoe]

9. Probably more the norm than your situation

When I went in to renew my license, there was one gentleman who had owned a handgun for years but never loaded or shot it. There was a woman who had never even owned a gun, but decided that she needed both a gun and a concealed carry permit. There were several people who were familiar with rifles but not handguns. Most of the class was not familiar with all the legalities of CCW or even defensive firearm usage, even if they knew their way around a gun.

Why would a person that never even held a gun before decide they needed a permit to carry one?

Lots of reasons for this: maybe they got robbed at gunpoint, or someone they knew got robbed, or they saw something that made them realize the burden of personal protection is their's and their's alone.

[Hoyt]

5. So you want no training requirement, or really tough ones not every carrier in training can meet?

[MicaelS]

6. Sorry, disagree..

I think the idea of a person being issued a carry permit without the idea of a minimum of a 8-10 hours class and range time to be supremely stupid. I think Texas got it right with their CHL class requirements.

Pro RKBA frequently talk about the awesome responsibility of concealed carry. The idea that one should not have to demonstrate basic competence at such an awesome responsibility is foolish in the extreme, since all it does is give ammunition (pun intended) to Gun Prohibitionists.

[AtheistCrusader]

19. We've never had such requirements in Washington State.

Likely never will.

[safeinOhio]

7. Here,

hold my beer and watch this.

[RSillsbee]

11. Happens all the time in Vermont right? NT

[safeinOhio]

14. Just last week

http://www.vermontcynic.com/occupier-shoots-himself-1.2673274#.TtBr7q6OiMU

[RSillsbee]

15. A criminal w/ a stolen gun

Deputy Police Chief Andi Higbee said that Pfenning had been consuming alcohol prior to the shooting and had been with three other people in the tent.


After the shooting, police retrieved the gun, which was later confirmed as having been stolen from a home in Derby in 2009, the Burlington Free Press article stated.

Please tell us what safety class would have prevented this?

[safeinOhio]

16. One that teaches not to buy a stolen gun

or drink when handling it.

[RSillsbee]

17. So , if the law against handling a firearm while intoxicated won't stop you

and the law against receiving stolen property won't stop you

But a three hour "safety" class will?

Why am I reminded of Bristol Palin and Levi Johnston?

[safeinOhio]

18. I have no idea or why

your post remind me of Mark Udall.

[PavePusher]

21. Oh, you mean "high school", or maybe "middle school".

Perhaps even "fuck-tarded parents doing their damn job".

AmIrite?

[Logical]

8. Kansas was a joke also. 100% of the people pass. What does that tell you?

[gejohnston]

10. either the instructor is really good or

or is as big of a joke as Florida's. If you are going to have the training requirement, at least do it right.

[RSillsbee]

12. All you have to do in Colorado is demonstrate some form of training w/ 10 years

I think a boy scout merit badge would suffice.

Not a lot of people blowing their feet off in Colorado

[Logical]

13. I agree. Either make it real of get rid of it.

[Callisto32]

20. I don't know.

PA has no training requirement. I am unaware of data that show that PA LTCF holders are any more dangerous/incompetent than any other, and our license is recognized by a large number of states....

[Paladin]

22. Absolutely. (n/t)