Inexperienced in Class

[DFWTT]

I've attended exactly two CHL courses. In each one, I encountered what I felt were more inexperienced shooters than I was comfortable with. Some of the students had never pulled a trigger. While I am all for 2A and a citizens right to carry, I can't help but feel a little uneasy thinking about all the people carrying with very litte to nil training on drawing technique, trigger and muzzle control, shoot / no shoot situations and so on. Safety is my concern. Knowing what I know now about all of these things and how easy it is to make the wrong move or decision, I can't understand how a prudent peson would make the decision to come to class so utterly unprepared. I believe that some will choose to continue thier education after class, but what about those that don't? Topic open for constructive debate.

[74novaman]

Judging by the low low numbers of CHL related accidents and problems every year, you're worrying over nothing.

Some of those inexperienced may be journalists or people with reason to be in the State capital wanting to use our express line....

Some people take the class and never send off paperwork (I had a friend do that), or never carry even when they get their plastic.

I just don't see all that many incidents that should cause any hand wringing about how undertrained we are.

Heck, I go to the range a lot more often than most of the cops I've ever talked to, and we let them carry almost everywhere.

[KC5AV]

Were you born with all of this knowledge, or did you have to learn it at some point? They just aren't as far along as you are. Should they give up the right to self defense until they know a little more?

[DFWTT]

Were you born with all of this knowledge, or did you have to learn it at some point? They just aren't as far along as you are. Should they give up the right to self defense until they know a little more?

No, I had to learn it like everyone else, I just got a little uneasy that's all. Like I said I'm all for people exercising thier rights. That is not my debate.

[Teamless]

Some of the students had never pulled a trigger

this is an issue, but hopefully not an issue that is rampant.
Anyone wanting to carry a gun (legally) should take it with the utmost responsibility.

One of the things I have done, to help curb this issue, is with friends, coworkers and friends of friends, I have taken to the range to give them a good safety briefing (the 4 rules, stressed and stressed), and letting them shoot (after instruction on how to hold (or not hold)) my weapons, and for each round downrange, I am right behind and to the left of them, so i can watch their hands, feet, eyes, target, etc.

I do have the benefit of being a member at PSC, and can bring (for free) 2 guests anytime I want (during allowed shooting hours of course), so all they have to buy is the ammo, as I have extra eyes and ears and targets.

Do yourself a favor and help this issue, as I have done, and offer to take people to the range to be sure they know what to do, if sometime, somewhere, they get their hands on a weapon.

[Pawpaw]

If you REALLY want to see people who don't know how to handle firearms, go to a gun show.

[OldSchool]

Were you born with all of this knowledge, or did you have to learn it at some point? They just aren't as far along as you are. Should they give up the right to self defense until they know a little more?

No, I had to learn it like everyone else, I just got a little uneasy that's all. Like I said I'm all for people exercising thier rights. That is not my debate.

I also believe you're feeling what many of the rest of have felt at one time or another. It's like any other complex skill -- once you've become proficient, you suddenly wonder, "How could they possibly let these drivers onto the highway?!"

Of course, even after all these years I'm still afraid of making experienced people wonder about my gun-handling (or driving) skills....

[pbwalker]

I think some folks think the CHL class is a firearms safety class...at least that's how it was when I took my class. I personally practiced and became proficient with my handgun before the test. I think, at the least, this should be a requirement. The CHL class is not "NRA Basic Pistol".

My $0.02

[Hoi Polloi]

How much knowledge does it really take to point and shoot? Sure, there's a LOT of knowledge on how to concealed carry and perform self-defense better, but people can carry in their cars with NO education and we're not seeing NDs all over so there must be a reason that education level doesn't correlate.

For example: Single woman being stalked by crazy ex-boyfriend knows when and where he's likely to be and how to keep an eye out for him. She gets the rudimentary point and shoot instructions from a brother who gifts her a gun. She's not likely to use it when the convenience store she's in is being robbed. She learns what's needed to use the gun in particular circumstances and is very unlikely to even think about using it in other scenarios.

Another example: Older guy wants the license to send a message, but his hand-me-down guns haven't even seen daylight in years. He doesn't know much about self defense, but he doesn't carry once the license comes in anyway.

It seems people self-limit to what they are knowledgeable about and what they will use it for. When they carry more or intend to use it in more general situations, they start seeking out the education they need formally or informally. It's a non-issue.

[Jasonw560]

That's why I plan on shooting a few (hundred) rounds before I take the course. It's been a couple of years since I shot a handgun. Don't want the rust to show.

[DFWTT]

Yea, maybe it's a non-issue and yes there are not a lot of reported ND's. But with responsibility stressed at every turn, as it should be, how can this subject be looked upon as unimportant? I'm definitely sure that there should be NO more regulations placed on the CHL applicant. Some personal responsibility lies with the applicant though in at least becoming familiar with a firearm prior to making the decision to carry one? Agree?

[sugar land dave]

This looks a lot like this thread: viewtopic.php?f=7&t=42762&hilit=harder+test

[74novaman]

Yea, maybe it's a non-issue and yes there are not a lot of reported ND's. But with responsibility stressed at every turn, as it should be, how can this subject be looked upon as unimportant? I'm definitely sure that there should be NO more regulations placed on the CHL applicant. Some personal responsibility lies with the applicant though in at least becoming familiar with a firearm prior to making the decision to carry one? Agree?

So if you're not willing to place more restrictions upon people, how are you planning on stressing people get more training?

Most places I"ve seen that offer CHLs also offer "intro pistol" or "basic handgun" classes as well. If the opportunities are there, and people don't take them, what can you do?

I guess I'm confused at the topic in general. The opportunities for training are out there, so that's not the problem. If you're uncomfortable with the level of experience CHL holders have and aren't willing to impose more restrictions, I don't know what to tell you.

As I stated, seems to be largely a non issue to me.

[BrianSW99]

I wonder how many folks who think that inexperienced people should be barred from taking the CHL class would also be for "constitutional" carry or concealed carry without a license.

There were a couple of people in my class who were completely inexperienced. The woman next to me on the firing line asked me how to load her magazines, but I had no problem with her being in the class.

As someone said a few posts up, its been a non-issue so far. I figure if they're really serious about carrying they will become more proficient. Otherwise, they're probably not going to actually be carrying all that often.

Brian

[pbwalker]

I don't think that inexperienced should be barred from taking the CHL class. Maybe "requirement" wasn't exactly what I meant...I think that you should be able to display some level of proficiency with your handgun before taking the CHL class. I think they should be proficient even owning one. Not something mandated by the state or government, but more of a personal responsibility thing. You don't get in to a car and drive it without being somewhat capable of driving. You shouldn't handle a firearm without knowing how to operate it. It takes no time to learn it...