handgun abilities

[stinkbait]

I know it's everyone's right to get a CHL, no problem with that... the problem I see is there are people out getting their CHL permit and know not one thing about their handgun. I mean how to load, where's the safety, how to clear a jam. I see this all the time. I think people are believing that once they by a handgun and get the chl permit that they are protected. Which I feel is not the case. In fact a person with no or very little handgun skills, is far more worse off than not having a chl permit at all. Just my two cents at what I see all the time.

[WildBill]

I know it's everyone's right to get a CHL, no problem with that... the problem I see is there are people out getting their CHL permit and know not one thing about their handgun. I mean how to load, where's the safety, how to clear a jam. I see this all the time. I think people are believing that once they by a handgun and get the chl permit that they are protected. Which I feel is not the case. In fact a person with no or very little handgun skills, is far more worse off than not having a chl permit at all. Just my two cents at what I see all the time.

People are not born with the knowledge or skills required to safely operate a firearm. That is one of the reasons that this forum exists. To help educate people. I am sure that, somewhere in your past, somebody took the time to teach you.

[C-dub]

At my last renewal the instructor informed us that he was going to require us to properly demonstrate the use of our safeties and some of the stuff you mentioned. After announcing that he asked if there was anyone that was going to qualify with a Glock. I was the only one in the class that day that was. He may have thought it was going to be a trick question and wait for the confused look on my face, but he asked how I activated my safety. Someone else from the back piped up with "Glocks don't have safeties." The instructor just looked at me and I told him I'd keep my finger off the trigger. He said, "Okay, now for the rest of you ..." I thought it was funny.

[WildBill]

My instructor told me that he had a lady in one of his classes that kept trying to insert the magazine backwards into her pistol. He kept trying to explain the correct way, but she still couldn't figure it out. Finally he told her that if she put it in the wrong way she would shoot herself in the face. She finally got the point and put the magazine in so that the bullets were pointed towards the front.

I don't know if this is true, but it's a good story.

[C-dub]

My instructor told me that he had a lady in one of his classes that kept trying to insert the magazine backwards into her pistol. He kept trying to explain the correct way, but she still couldn't figure it out. Finally he told her that if she put it in the wrong way she would shoot herself in the face. She finally got the point and put the magazine in so that the bullets were pointed towards the front.

I don't know if this is true, but it's a good story.

Love it. I will use that if I ever see anyone trying that.

[baldeagle]

I know it's everyone's right to get a CHL, no problem with that... the problem I see is there are people out getting their CHL permit and know not one thing about their handgun. I mean how to load, where's the safety, how to clear a jam. I see this all the time. I think people are believing that once they by a handgun and get the chl permit that they are protected. Which I feel is not the case. In fact a person with no or very little handgun skills, is far more worse off than not having a chl permit at all. Just my two cents at what I see all the time.

It is not our place to judge other people. A CHL holder who doesn't know anything about their weapon and has never practiced with it may still be able to successfully defend their life against attack. Isn't that the point? Unless you believe that CHL holders are going to draw their weapons for no apparent reason, the likelihood is that their weapon will never see duty except in a life-threatening situation.

[74novaman]

I know it's everyone's right to get a CHL, no problem with that... the problem I see is there are people out getting their CHL permit and know not one thing about their handgun. I mean how to load, where's the safety, how to clear a jam. I see this all the time. I think people are believing that once they by a handgun and get the chl permit that they are protected. Which I feel is not the case. In fact a person with no or very little handgun skills, is far more worse off than not having a chl permit at all. Just my two cents at what I see all the time.

So what are you planning to do to correct this horrible problem as you see it?

Seems most of us have forgotten the idea of minding our own business.

[The Annoyed Man]

Seems most of us have forgotten the idea of minding our own business.

There it is. Not everyone has the skills of an Emerson Fitipaldi, but that's no reason to discourage them from driving their cars........as long as they follow the law. And yet, even skilled drivers kill other motorists and pedestrians on occasion.

[Beiruty]

Antis love those threads. Just offer free handgun training.

[Ameer]

I know it's everyone's right to get a CHL, no problem with that... the problem I see is there are people out getting their CHL permit and know not one thing about their handgun. I mean how to load, where's the safety, how to clear a jam. I see this all the time. I think people are believing that once they by a handgun and get the chl permit that they are protected. Which I feel is not the case. In fact a person with no or very little handgun skills, is far more worse off than not having a chl permit at all. Just my two cents at what I see all the time.

So what are you planning to do to correct this horrible problem as you see it?

I think the problem would correct itself if there was no help (cheating) on the CHL tests. A student should have to operate the handgun safely or they shouldn't pass. Like the road test for a driving license. I don't think you can have someone help you parallel park or operate the turn signals for you. I'm also pretty sure they'll fail you for running a red light.

Maybe DPS will correct it when they start auditing classes. viewtopic.php?f=18&t=44211" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Middle Age Russ]

BaldEagle, 74Novaman and TAM make some very good points, with which I totally agree.

I also feel that one cannot be too familiar with the use of certain tools like firearms, and that is why I like to shoot frequently and receive coaching/training when possible, such as earlier today. Making such activities a requirement for exercising a God-given and Constitutionally recognized right, though, is simply inviting more governmental regulation with little upside. The possible upside of more folks shooting more proficiently cannot possibly hold up against infringing individual rights, particularly when it involves the use of tools employed in self-protection. Therefore, I simply urge folks (note no requirement) to become more familiar with their firearms and to use them safely at the range and in classes whenever possible.

I also urge membership and frequent reading on this board not only for the comraderie exhibited, but also for the thought-provoking items that are discussed. A lot of different perspectives are presented here, and it it all good food for thought.

[TDDude]

I know it's everyone's right to get a CHL, no problem with that... the problem I see is there are people out getting their CHL permit and know not one thing about their handgun. I mean how to load, where's the safety, how to clear a jam. I see this all the time. I think people are believing that once they by a handgun and get the chl permit that they are protected. Which I feel is not the case. In fact a person with no or very little handgun skills, is far more worse off than not having a chl permit at all. Just my two cents at what I see all the time.

So what are you planning to do to correct this horrible problem as you see it?

I think the problem would correct itself if there was no help (cheating) on the CHL tests. A student should have to operate the handgun safely or they shouldn't pass. Like the road test for a driving license. I don't think you can have someone help you parallel park or operate the turn signals for you. I'm also pretty sure they'll fail you for running a red light.

Maybe DPS will correct it when they start auditing classes. viewtopic.php?f=18&t=44211" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

As a new instructor, the students will know right off the bat that if they cannot operate their pistol, they don't pass the class. PERIOD!! We're not allowed to do any teaching during the test.

I WILL offer handgun instruction but it won't be part of the CHL course.

[texanron]

Next time you see it offer some friendly advice to them.

[TDDude]

Next time you see it offer some friendly advice to them.

My friendly advice would be that I will be glad to teach them the basics (for a fee) and that they can retest during the normal test time for the next class but today, they will not get the CHL100 signed by me.

One of the first things they talked about up in Georgetown was integrity and passing someone who obviously will hurt themselves will not go.

If someone is stuck with a rented pistol and they aren't sure of the mag release or such, that would be the only friendly advice I would give.

Yes, I'm a hard nose and yes, I take the test seriously. In my opinion, it's already way too easy. If a shooter scores all 5's at the 3 & 7 yard lines, they can blow off the 15 yard portion, go sit down and still pass the thing with 25 points to spare.

Nope, not gonna do it. There's a driving test for a car (Is there still a driving test to get a license?) and if the applicant don't know where 1st gear is, I'm fairly certain they would flunk that as well.

[C-dub]

Next time you see it offer some friendly advice to them.

My friendly advice would be that I will be glad to teach them the basics (for a fee) and that they can retest during the normal test time for the next class but today, they will not get the CHL100 signed by me.

One of the first things they talked about up in Georgetown was integrity and passing someone who obviously will hurt themselves will not go.

If someone is stuck with a rented pistol and they aren't sure of the mag release or such, that would be the only friendly advice I would give.

Yes, I'm a hard nose and yes, I take the test seriously. In my opinion, it's already way too easy. If a shooter scores all 5's at the 3 & 7 yard lines, they can blow off the 15 yard portion, go sit down and still pass the thing with 25 points to spare.

Nope, not gonna do it. There's a driving test for a car (Is there still a driving test to get a license?) and if the applicant don't know where 1st gear is, I'm fairly certain they would flunk that as well.

I thank you for being a hard nose about it. This is a serious issue.

Yes. There still is a driving test if one doesn't go through some kind of driver's education/safety course. It's expensive, but I think if the kids do it they get a small discount on that enormous insurance premium. I don't think someone coming from another state with a license from that state must take the driver's test. I did not have to take the driver's or rider's test when I moved here back in '84.