Utah CHL Instructor Story on WFAA

[joe817]

Let the flaming begin.

Naaahhh. I like sushi.

Raw fish?? Ewwwwwww. Fried catfish for me TYVM.

[pbwalker]

Let the flaming begin.

Naaahhh. I like sushi.

Raw fish?? Ewwwwwww. Fried catfish for me TYVM.

ooohhh...now I'm hungry. I could go for some nigiri or sashimi!

oh, and to keep it on topic: I love guns and have been to Utah before.

[Cobra Medic]

I personally think it would behoove Texas to cut to the chase and have instructors teach what should be known in regard to the law, legalities and responsibilities and then have some sort of assessment whether it be an actual test

I think DPS should do the CHL test on computer, with the questions randomly pulled from a larger pool of possible questions, like the written test for driving.

[WildBill]

I personally think it would behoove Texas to cut to the chase and have instructors teach what should be known in regard to the law, legalities and responsibilities and then have some sort of assessment whether it be an actual test

I think DPS should do the CHL test on computer, with the questions randomly pulled from a larger pool of possible questions, like the written test for driving.

I could see that working if you took the test at a DPS facility, but would you want to do that for your CHL?

[Cobra Medic]

I heard they do CHL instructor renewal exams online. Maybe something like that.

[Charles L. Cotton]

I personally think it would behoove Texas to cut to the chase and have instructors teach what should be known in regard to the law, legalities and responsibilities and then have some sort of assessment whether it be an actual test

I think DPS should do the CHL test on computer, with the questions randomly pulled from a larger pool of possible questions, like the written test for driving.

Why? What would be gained with this procedure?

Chas.

[Charles L. Cotton]

The Utah license wasn't a "big deal" until one Utah instructor started advertising in an grossly irresponsible way, only to be copied by equally irresponsible Utah instructors. Their conduct has infuriated very powerful political activists in Texas and now we have a very big problem that isn't going away. In fact, it gets bigger every day.

BTW, did your Utah instructor teach Texas law in your Utah class. Did he teach Utah law?

It's probably too late now, but your TR-100 training certificate is/was good for two years on an initial Texas CHL.

Chas.

Long-time lurker here. I'm not sure what the big deal is about the Utah CHL. I recently obtained my Utah CHL (CWP). I originally took my Texas CHL course in February '09, wife got laid off right after and writing a check to Texas for my CHL just wasn't in our restricted budget. She got her job back but by the time we had the spare money to write that check to Texas it had already been a year since I took the Texas course and I would have had to re-take it again. I had a perfect score on the range qualification in my Texas course. I heard about the Utah license and it made financial sense to me to obtain it. I don't believe that folks specifically go out of their way to get the Utah CHL because it does not require range qualification or a test. The Texas course I took was stuffed with a bunch of "filler" material, funny YouTube videos (FBI guy shoots self in foot, "Gun Free Zone" and many many many more) to make that 10 hour time requirement. I personally think it would behoove Texas to cut to the chase and have instructors teach what should be known in regard to the law, legalities and responsibilities and then have some sort of assessment whether it be an actual test (Texas course) or like the "test" in my Utah class where it was an open discussion powerpoint type of "test" (there were 3 guys in my Utah course). Again, I don't believe that folks would get their CHL only to avoid having any type of training or proficiency with the weapon they plan on carrying. Afterall, legally carrying a firearm is a big responsibility that I don't think anyone takes lightly. I belive the main factor in folks getting their Utah CHL is plain to see. Bottom line, it is less of a monetary commitment and requires less classroom time. Those were my deciding factors anyways. Let the flaming begin.

[Cobra Medic]

I personally think it would behoove Texas to cut to the chase and have instructors teach what should be known in regard to the law, legalities and responsibilities and then have some sort of assessment whether it be an actual test

I think DPS should do the CHL test on computer, with the questions randomly pulled from a larger pool of possible questions, like the written test for driving.

Why? What would be gained with this procedure?

Chas.

It helps keep the test honest. For example, when I took the class at Top Gun, the instructor told us "the answer to question 15 is B" or whatever the actual question number and answer was. I'm sure none of the instructors on the board do anything like that, but it's not unusual to hear similar stories when I talk to other people who took one day CHL classes.

[Charles L. Cotton]

I personally think it would behoove Texas to cut to the chase and have instructors teach what should be known in regard to the law, legalities and responsibilities and then have some sort of assessment whether it be an actual test

I think DPS should do the CHL test on computer, with the questions randomly pulled from a larger pool of possible questions, like the written test for driving.

Why? What would be gained with this procedure?

Chas.

It helps keep the test honest. For example, when I took the class at Top Gun, the instructor told us "the answer to question 15 is B" or whatever the actual question number and answer was. I'm sure none of the instructors on the board do anything like that, but it's not unusual to hear similar stories when I talk to other people who took one day CHL classes.

That's the first time I've heard of an instructor doing this. But I don't see one instructor discussing one test question as being a problem; certainly not in view of the excellent track record CHL's have generated.

Are you suggesting the test be given at DPS drivers license offices?

Chas.

[fishcharmer]

The Utah license wasn't a "big deal" until one Utah instructor started advertising in an grossly irresponsible way, only to be copied by equally irresponsible Utah instructors. Their conduct has infuriated very powerful political activists in Texas and now we have a very big problem that isn't going away. In fact, it gets bigger every day.

BTW, did your Utah instructor teach Texas law in your Utah class. Did he teach Utah law?

It's probably too late now, but your TR-100 training certificate is/was good for two years on an initial Texas CHL.

Chas.

My Utah instructor most certainly did go over Texas laws with us. Utah laws first, then Texas laws and the ensuing "quiz" covered both as well. I already knew from my Texas CHL class that guns and alcohol never mix but found it interesting that in Utah the legal blood-alcohol content for carrying a firearm is the same as for driving a vehicle (0.08). I actually found it more enjoyable than the Texas class I took because there was no extra flim-flam involved. Just the facts. If you don't mind my asking, I did not read every post, what was the nature of the irresponsible advertising?

[baldeagle]

We now have 12 pages of this baloney back and forth. The point that many seem to be missing is that all of our opinions about this are irrelevant. The behavior of some Utah instructors has raised the ire of a powerful political person in Texas. That may lead to restrictions that do not presently exist. If it does, it will be a shame that the actions of a few have punished all Texans who desire to carry.

[Charles L. Cotton]

We now have 12 pages of this baloney back and forth. The point that many seem to be missing is that all of our opinions about this are irrelevant. The behavior of some Utah instructors has raised the ire of a powerful political person in Texas. That may lead to restrictions that do not presently exist. If it does, it will be a shame that the actions of a few have punished all Texans who desire to carry.

You're absolutely right on both points. I'm as guilty as anyone and I won't add more to the noise. Thanks for the reminder.

Chas.

[fishcharmer]

I really don't have any feelings for Utah instructors one way or the other to be honest. In truth, I never saw any of their advertising, I heard about it word of mouth. However, two of the gripes that I'm sensing with the Utah CWP advertising was what attracted me to it. It was easier in the sense that it took less of a commitment of my time and it was cheaper (cost me a total of $140.25 for both class and State/Federal fees). To be honest, the range qualification portion of the Texas CHL class I took was way too simple. If Ford came out with a truck that had more horsepower, towing capacity and was cheaper than than their competitors and they advertised it as such, would it make it okay for Chevy, Dodge and Toyota to pout over the advertising? That's what this sounds like to me. I have no vested interest in either the Utah or the Texas CHL. I'm just a "consumer" if you will. Perhaps State legislators should be lobbied to reduce the amount of required classroom time and make the fees more affordable and eliminate the joke of the range qualification. Instructors could then reduce the cost of the class since it would be a shorter duration. Maybe then the Texas CHL instructors would be able to attract more "consumers" that would otherwise opt to go with the "competitor". These are all just my humble opinions.

[FAMILY GUN FUN]

I believe that our second amendment right should not be licsened however that is how many states look at this topic.
If anyone thinks that one learns less in my class. You should attend and then you will understand you learn more. I have had many people that have attended the Texas CHL program and they all agree they learned more from my Law Enforcement background scince 1997 and 8.5 years combined as a CHL instructor for both Texas and Utah.

Respectfully,
Brad Brasuell

[Salty1]

When I moved to Texas I was forced (by law) to get a Texas Drivers License and to register my vehicles here. I believe that the Utah license issue will come up in the next legislative session, although I do not want anything to infringe on our 2nd Amendment rights, state issued license are a way of life and I do not see that going away anytime in the foreseeable future. If the legislature would be willing to give us Campus Carry and the Parking Lot Bill I would fully support mandating that every Texas resident who wants to carry be required to have a Texas CHL, which would ultimatly be the demise of the Utah permits. If a Texas resident wants another states permit as well they can get it, just do not expect it to be honored in your state of residence (Texas).

Personally I could care less about the Utah instructors fluff and marketing, they can say and justify it any way they want. The bottom line they use Utah because it is the easiest way for them to make money and they market it as being cheaper, less time commitment and no shooting test. What they do not say is that they do no teach the laws applicable to Texas. If you go to Family Fun Gun's web site you will see a perfect example of a company marketing purely on price and comparing it to the Texas CHL. I have to laugh when somebody try's to tell me that they can cover more in 4 hours than can be taught in 10, some people were born yesterday, but not anybody who meets the age qualifications for a CHL....