The training class idiot - tell your story

[Wildscar]

I would have thought pointing your weapon at the instructor would have been an automatic fail, but I guess not.

Dave

What kind of safety briefing did the instructor give before going into the range? What did he tell you was required, how things were going to happen, and what the rules were?

When I took the CHL class, our instructor told us before the shooting portion that if anyone pointed a gun at him, he would assume they are trying to kill him, and he would act accordingly.

Was this instructor out of Ferris?

No. I can vouch for what he said cause I was in that same class. It was one out in Terrell. I believe the instructor said he was an off duty LEO and part of the Terrell S.W.A.T. team and was teaching the class on one of his days off. Was a very cool instructor.

[seamusTX]

I'm not sure if an instructor is allowed to fail someone if they techincally pass the written and range portion, ...

Aninstructor that I happen to know says he will fail someone for a range safety violation regardless of how accurately they shoot.

- Jim

[txinvestigator]

I'm not sure if an instructor is allowed to fail someone if they techincally pass the written and range portion, ...

Aninstructor that I happen to know says he will fail someone for a range safety violation regardless of how accurately they shoot.

- Jim

Not exactly. I will not allow a person to finish the qualification course if they commit a gross safety violation. No finish=no passing score=no TR100.

however, if I allow then to finish and they score a 175 or better I have to sign the TR100. I can write DPS and they will consider my complaint.

[DaveT]

Only 2 of us in my CHL class.

With my LEO background, I don't think I was any problem, LOL..... and the other man was a USAF Security Police Sergeant from the nearby airbase.

We had fun and learned a lot from some very good folks. Good CHL Instructor and a Lt. from the Abilene Police Department came in to teach the laws, etc.

[DFWCHLer]

No. I can vouch for what he said cause I was in that same class. It was one out in Terrell. I believe the instructor said he was an off duty LEO and part of the Terrell S.W.A.T. team and was teaching the class on one of his days off. Was a very cool instructor.

You must be referring to Ken. He is definitely squared away. And I believe his statement 100% - if you point a weapon at him, he will remove you from the gene pool. Definitely a nice guy - but I wouldn't want to mess with him or get on his bad side!

[fratermus]

his commentary on what "[he] would do", the instructor finally asked him what LE, military, or etc. background he had and he replied, "Well, none".

But I'm sure he had a sizeable back library of Soldier of Fortune.

It is my experience that people who are the most gung-ho generally have the least military experience.

A read a quote where a zen buddhist monk said that people have exotic ideas about what living in a monastary is like, but the people who do it know that it is just zen, nothing special. This reminds me of my experience in and out of the military. It is a thing you do, or do not do. Those that do it have a realistic view of military life; those that do not do it have a fantasy view and are dazzled by bumperstickers, ribbons, slogans, jingoism, parades, etc.

fratermus,
US Army 1984-1988.

[atxgun]

his commentary on what "[he] would do", the instructor finally asked him what LE, military, or etc. background he had and he replied, "Well, none".

But I'm sure he had a sizeable back library of Soldier of Fortune.

I'm betting he played a lot of Grand Theft Auto on the Playstation or something along those lines.

[screename]

I JUST completed by CHL class successfully and I think that it is imperative that you be proficient with your gun and that it is in good working order. This is not only for you but out of courtesy of others!!! One student came in today and her pistol jammed 3 times during our test. It was very frustrating to me because I was in the ready position waiting for the instructor to give us the ok to shoot. After 10 seconds of waiting, my arms started to drift down and I placed my firearm back onto the shooting "tray" and looked back to see where the instructor was. He was now trying to verbally help the student fix her jam. THIS WAS VERY FRUSTRATING! I was in the "zone" and the multiple "time outs" seemed to piss off some of the other students as well. I can understand one jam. But 3 jams out of 50 shots??? One reason why these incidents took so long to resolve was that the instructor said he was not allowed to physically touch the weapon during the test.

[Stupid]

I took my class in Alvin. I think the biggest idiot was me as my name shows and i forgot to drink enough coffee to stay awake.

In my stupid opinion, a CHL class that does not include gun safety and how to handle handguns is totally useless. Half of of the class did not appear to even have fired a gun in their life. Many guns came out of the box with rusty, and many jammed during firing session, none knew how to clear jams. It's very disturbing to see they passed the test.

The class was horrible. Basically it included the instructor reading the booklet out loud and me trying to stay awake - i finished reading long before he did. Rarely he explained anything.

I went there to learn something, but came out with nothing except knowing that I could get my CHL.

[1lowlife]

I've had the initial class and two renewals.

In every class I have had, there is at least one individual that wants to invent scenario after scenario.
It only frustrates the instructor and takes up every one's time.

To anyone reading this wanting to take the class;
Listen and write down any questions until the instructor asks for questions.
It will leave him/her more time for instruction.
And other students won't hate you when the class is over.
Most questions will answer themselves.
For the initial class, it makes for a long day.
Renewals are a breeze.

I have had great instructors.
The first class the guy was a bit uptight and stuffy, but he did a good job.
The place I went to for my two renewals, is great.
The instructor isn't to full of himself and adds a little humor to the class.
But they are very serious on the range.
I recommend people to his place and I will remain to take my renewals there.

http://www.texashandgunacademy.com/

[txinvestigator]

One reason why these incidents took so long to resolve was that the instructor said he was not allowed to physically touch the weapon during the test.

That is not a state OR DPS rule. In fact, DPS troopers on the line routinely handle intructors guns on the line when they malfunction.

[BrassMonkey]

I will say with glee that I was the entertainment for the day in Linda's Utah class :-) I even volunteered to get hit with Marty's stun gun, didn;t happen though...

All non-sense stopped at the range though.

We did have some commandos in the class, specifically, she asked what if we were witnessing a stop and rob or whatever, almost everyone's response was, shoot em. I felt obligated to get those fires going by voicing the other action that could be taken, nothing. That sure got a bunch of people mad, things like, "then what are you doing here" "why do you want to cary a gun? blah blah blah.

Really let us see who were the wannabe's...

[txinvestigator]

In my stupid opinion, a CHL class that does not include gun safety and how to handle handguns is totally useless.

Firearms storage and safety, as well as marksmanship and range safety are required segments of instruction

Half of of the class did not appear to even have fired a gun in their life. Many guns came out of the box with rusty, and many jammed during firing session, none knew how to clear jams. It's very disturbing to see they passed the test.

It shouldn't be. You won't be depending on them to protect you, you will be depending on yourself. The CHL course of fire is simply a test of a persons ability to hit the target and demonstrate BASIC safety. It is not a self-defense course, or tactical course.

The class was horrible. Basically it included the instructor reading the booklet out loud and me trying to stay awake - i finished reading long before he did. Rarely he explained anything.

I went there to learn something, but came out with nothing except knowing that I could get my CHL.

That is bad. Where do you live? Perhaps one of our forum's outstanding instructors would allow you to "audit" a class so you can make up what you missed.

[BrassMonkey]

How would a fully computerized classroom presentation be received? I'm not talking about powerpoint.

Something you instructor types would be interested in? Free of course, I have some time in the evenings lately to woro on something.

This would make it entertaining for students and hopefully give more time for Q&A, you know, good stuff...

[txinvestigator]

How would a fully computerized classroom presentation be received? I'm not talking about powerpoint.

Something you instructor types would be interested in? Free of course, I have some time in the evenings lately to woro on something.

This would make it entertaining for students and hopefully give more time for Q&A, you know, good stuff...

We can use powerpoint ad overheads, etc., but we can only use a small percentage of the time on videos and such. Is that what you mean, where the instructor lets the computer do the teaching?