Not sure i feel safer now or not.....

[PhL0aTeR]

I finally got my CCW class out of the way last night. I'm a bit dissappointed in the amount of training thats required for you to be legally running around with a firearm concealed. In saying that, im torn between the right to bear arms, and having big brother step in and tell me what i need to complete before im allowed to carry a weapon concealed.

Last night i took a 3 hour class and received a certificate in firearm safety. The company in this class was very diverse. There was an old lady, a young "kid" in the back that could have passed for a local gang member, a father and son, a lady in the front that looked positively terrified when the guns were being passed around so we could demonstrate loading and unloading with snap caps.... about 18 people in the class altogether.

I have taken a firearms safety course when it was paired with my hunters education in texas. I also received training when i got my CCW in texas (it has since expired). I dont really want to compare the requirements for obtaining the CCW here as opposed to there.... I'll just say that when i emerged from my training in texas, I was fully ensured that I, and the other people i took the class with, knew how to operate the firearm they were carrying and could demonstrate how to do so safely and fairly extensively knew the laws surrounding the effects of shooting someone in self defense. The class was 10 hours in length, 8 hours on saturday and 2 hours of rangetime on sunday. and it cost $125 plus ammo if you didnt bring the required type, or any at all.

Anyways, as i briefly pointed to a couple paragraphs ago, there was one person in my class last night who didnt know what in the world to do when the glock was handed to her. This is the type of person that colorado says its ok for her to carry a weapon. The 3 hours of training is basically the hoops, with one exception... you dont really have to jump through any of them. Just look at them, and be in the same vicinity when other people are making an attempt at jumping through them.

That being said, I'm an avid gun enthusiast, Ive been around them since i was old enough to hold them (no, really!), and am also an ex TDC firearms instructor, once certified to train the usage of S&W .357, Remington 870, and AR-15. I know alot of people like the lack of training, as its easier to get a permit, and thats what we all want, but i think there should be other requirements to obtain this holy grail that most gun owners seek.

Flame on....

[Atrain]

You're not going to get flamed by me...I had the same mixed emotions after attending my CCW class. My class only had 5 people. There was an old timer in there who probably would have shot one or more of us if those snap caps had been real. I was glad to get my permit without much hassle, but would have felt better if people getting permits had to demonstrate basic shooting skills.

[BadShot]

Out of curiosity - not that I disagree with the point being made by Atrain - how do you all reconcile the states that allow anyone to carry concealed without permitting or a training requirement?

[PhL0aTeR]

Out of curiosity - not that I disagree with the point being made by Atrain - how do you all reconcile the states that allow anyone to carry concealed without permitting or a training requirement?

i didnt know there was such a state...... which states allow that?

[XJ]

New Hampshire is one example.

IF you could guarentee that asswipe state legislators wouldn't rewrite the entire law to screw us over, then it might not hurt to change a few things. But you're never going to have that, and we don't really have a bloodbath in the streets right now with permit holders to blame.

Motor vehicles are the #1 cause of death, I used to have the link bookmarked but can't find it at the moment. There would be the more benefit in remedial driver edumacation.

[HunterCO]

Alaska and Vermont are another. I guess I have to ask since you think that the class was not up to your standards should I be afraid that you are going to carry? :roll:

[PhL0aTeR]

New Hampshire is one example.

IF you could guarentee that asswipe state legislators wouldn't rewrite the entire law to screw us over, then it might not hurt to change a few things. But you're never going to have that, and we don't really have a bloodbath in the streets right now with permit holders to blame.

Motor vehicles are the #1 cause of death, I used to have the link bookmarked but can't find it at the moment. There would be the more benefit in remedial driver edumacation.

Interesting.... i didnt know there were no restrictions on concealed carry in some states. I didnt mean to say that i was afraid that there was going to be a bloodbath, however i think that most of the population that have no experience with firearms, and wish to get started with taking a class should not be running around with a gun after that safety class. I think they should be coached at the range and learn that its not OK for granny to be showing their best friend with whom they meet at aisle # 19 at king soopers, their new "freedom". Enter legal class, common sence lectures etc.

Alaska and Vermont are another. I guess I have to ask since you think that the class was not up to your standards should I be afraid that you are going to carry? :roll:

Of course not.... as i stated, i have fairly extensive firearms training, safety and combat... So since i let my certifications expire, i had to jump through hoops, or go through the motions to get my CCW here. The problem, would be about half of the class not even knowing how to properly hold a gun, let alone load it.

I'm not really addressing anyone here either, so dont get offended, i assume 99% of the members here have a good amount of experience with firearms.

[Atrain]

Funny that XJ mentioned motor vehicles. Would it make more sense for a CCW to be treated more like a drivers license? Study on your own with CCW study materials, take a written test, and take a basic shooting test?

[westy1970]

Funny that XJ mentioned motor vehicles. Would it make more sense for a CCW to be treated more like a drivers license? Study on your own with CCW study materials, take a written test, and take a basic shooting test?

Don't forget the vision test. [buck]

The Libertarian in me is offended by required training, however the safety guru in me is offended by a CCW class with no range time.

[thedave1164]

WHOA guys, you are starting to sound like a bunch of public school educated sheep.

With rights come responsibilities.

Handling of firearms used to be taught in the home, fathers taking up the task, and children knowing the safe handling of firearms from a young age.

Thanks to the age of aquarius, we have, as a society, said we don't want to be responsible. Let someone else, .gov, be responsible.

ie. Let the gov set the rules and determine who should be able to carry a firearm.

By virtue of the second amendment to the US Constitution, no one should need any kind of permit for owning or bearing a firearm. As responsible citizens of this great country, EVERYONE should own and maintain a firearm. I also believe everyone should carry one as well. As a responsible citizen, one would endevour to insure they knew how to properly use this implement of our freedom.

We should as responsible citizens, who take this right seriously, train up the next generation, and not let the agendized public school do our job.

How is that for a rant! :evil:

I will be blunt, if you are going to give up your rights because you do not want the responsibility, hand in your guns now, because you do not deserve to call yourself an American.