The training class idiot - tell your story

[Keith B]

The only problem with a one-on-one class is you are the smartest in class, but also the dumbest!!

Seriously, I would think one-on-one would be good in the fact you get more individual face and discussion time with the instructor, but I enjoyed the interaction with the others and stories they had.

[stevie_d_64]

Instructor accepted my excuse of "well, I'd stop if somebody triple-tapped me there with a .45."

[txinvestigator]

As an instructor who has had MANY students in MANY classes I have observed the following;

1) there are a lot of good people who care about their families, themselves and others, who have minimal experience with guns, know nothing about tactics, but just want to learn and obtain that CHL. Some may never carry, some seldom, others sometimes and a few always.

2) an occasional Armchair commando who thinks he is uber tactical, experienced. Usually full of stories and "what if" questions

3) some experienced people who realize that is is always a different way to do things

4) a slight few who, for whatever reason, are nervous, unsure, have a hard time "getting it", etc. Often these people have poor gun handling skills, and seldom have ever had ANY formal training.

All of these people have a God given given right, protected by the second amendment to our constitution, to possess and bear firearms. If a person is dangerous or reckless with that firearm, it is my legal and moral obligation as an instructor to do my level best to help that person.

I have never had a person in a class who I thought was "bad" or evil. I am a pretty good shot, and have considerable training. Every school I attend has students less capable, trained, etc., than me. I am also very humbled in those classes by observing the students who are at such a level that they blow me away. I try to keep in mind that to them, I may be the loser who can't do it as well as them.

Shoot safely!

[Snake Doctor]

2) an occasional Armchair commando who thinks he is uber tactical, experienced. Usually full of stories and "what if" questions

From my one and only class experience so far, you hit the nail on the head. This guy wore combat boots, a duty belt with a holster and 4 mag pouches, and a USMC shirt. Not that there's anything wrong with that attire, but he was trying way to hard to be something he was not. After about 100 interruptions involving 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". Though he annoyed me in the same way an ADD teenager trying to be popular would annoy me, I was most put off when he argued over a use-of-force scenario with our instructor, claiming that said instructor "obviously didn't have the guts to pull the trigger". Wow...

[jbirds1210]

I have seen Master shooters and people that have never handled a firearm attending the same class. I saw a gentleman that had his skill level confused and introduced the palm of his left hand to a 9mm hollow point...really really messy on a range covered with white rock. Some might call it art This was not a CHL class.

I have made a promise to myself to remain a handgun student for the rest of my life and learn from all kinds of people if they have information to offer. There is usually more than one way to do everything!

I am fortunate enough to have an amazing CHL instructor that I trust...I realize that we do not all have that available. I just position myself at the end of a group so I can see what other people are doing and get out of the way if I see a muzzle.

[KinnyLee]

I have seen Master shooters and people that have never handled a firearm attending the same class. I saw a gentleman that had his skill level confused and introduced the palm of his left hand to a 9mm hollow point...really really messy on a range covered with white rock. Some might call it art This was not a CHL class.

I have made a promise to myself to remain a handgun student for the rest of my life and learn from all kinds of people if they have information to offer. There is usually more than one way to do everything!

I am fortunate enough to have an amazing CHL instructor that I trust...I realize that we do not all have that available. I just position myself at the end of a group so I can see what other people are doing and get out of the way if I see a muzzle.

I know who you're talking about.

[jbirds1210]

I have seen Master shooters and people that have never handled a firearm attending the same class. I saw a gentleman that had his skill level confused and introduced the palm of his left hand to a 9mm hollow point...really really messy on a range covered with white rock. Some might call it art This was not a CHL class.

I have made a promise to myself to remain a handgun student for the rest of my life and learn from all kinds of people if they have information to offer. There is usually more than one way to do everything!

I am fortunate enough to have an amazing CHL instructor that I trust...I realize that we do not all have that available. I just position myself at the end of a group so I can see what other people are doing and get out of the way if I see a muzzle.

I know who you're talking about.

LOL, in all fairness.....the last words he heard before his day was ruined was me saying, "You are going to shoot yourself in the hand if you keep doing that!" The last words he said were, "No, I am not!". He was wrong.

[tx-skydiver]

I've had classes where some had no idea how to use or handle a handgun...and passed. My fear is that the way Texas is passing CHL students is parallel with the way schools are passing students who can't read or write and an innocent person will get killed for it. Just because you pay for a license does not mean you are entitled to carry.

My belief is that everyone must be mandated to take a firearm safety and shooting course as a prerequisite to obtaining a CHL. OR at the very minimum, pass a "safety test" in firearm handling at the beginning of class and if you fail, you must wait 30 days or take a course before going to a CHL class again.

I know that is very liberal sounding and I am a very conservative person, but I do want to protect the innocent citizens as well as making sure that the anti-gunners have no ammo against CHL.

Sorry for the rant.

[txinvestigator]

I've had classes where some had no idea how to use or handle a handgun...and passed. My fear is that the way Texas is passing CHL students is parallel with the way schools are passing students who can't read or write and an innocent person will get killed for it. Just because you pay for a license does not mean you are entitled to carry.

My belief is that everyone must be mandated to take a firearm safety and shooting course as a prerequisite to obtaining a CHL. OR at the very minimum, pass a "safety test" in firearm handling at the beginning of class and if you fail, you must wait 30 days or take a course before going to a CHL class again.

I know that is very liberal sounding and I am a very conservative person, but I do want to protect the innocent citizens as well as making sure that the anti-gunners have no ammo against CHL.

Sorry for the rant.

Texas allows unlicensed carry of handguns in vehicles now, and unlicensed carry of long guns everywhere. What about those people?

[tx-skydiver]

I've had classes where some had no idea how to use or handle a handgun...and passed. My fear is that the way Texas is passing CHL students is parallel with the way schools are passing students who can't read or write and an innocent person will get killed for it. Just because you pay for a license does not mean you are entitled to carry.

My belief is that everyone must be mandated to take a firearm safety and shooting course as a prerequisite to obtaining a CHL. OR at the very minimum, pass a "safety test" in firearm handling at the beginning of class and if you fail, you must wait 30 days or take a course before going to a CHL class again.

I know that is very liberal sounding and I am a very conservative person, but I do want to protect the innocent citizens as well as making sure that the anti-gunners have no ammo against CHL.

Sorry for the rant.

Texas allows unlicensed carry of handguns in vehicles now, and unlicensed carry of long guns everywhere. What about those people?

Unlicensed but UNLOADED with ammo separated, correct? Correct me if I'm wrong but it is only legal to carry back and forth to/from range or across 3 counties, right?

[Keith B]

Unlicensed but UNLOADED with ammo separated, correct? Correct me if I'm wrong but it is only legal to carry back and forth to/from range or across 3 counties, right?

Nope, you can carry loaded and concealed in your vehicle as an unlicensed citizin if you can legally own the gun. The law was calrified and no longer requires you to be 'traveling'. See http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80 ... 01815I.htm It was adopted as of September 1, 2007.

[txinvestigator]

I've had classes where some had no idea how to use or handle a handgun...and passed. My fear is that the way Texas is passing CHL students is parallel with the way schools are passing students who can't read or write and an innocent person will get killed for it. Just because you pay for a license does not mean you are entitled to carry.

My belief is that everyone must be mandated to take a firearm safety and shooting course as a prerequisite to obtaining a CHL. OR at the very minimum, pass a "safety test" in firearm handling at the beginning of class and if you fail, you must wait 30 days or take a course before going to a CHL class again.

I know that is very liberal sounding and I am a very conservative person, but I do want to protect the innocent citizens as well as making sure that the anti-gunners have no ammo against CHL.

Sorry for the rant.

Texas allows unlicensed carry of handguns in vehicles now, and unlicensed carry of long guns everywhere. What about those people?

Unlicensed but UNLOADED with ammo separated, correct? Correct me if I'm wrong but it is only legal to carry back and forth to/from range or across 3 counties, right?

Texas Law never makes a distinction whatsoever regarding the loaded condition of a gun. Texas law does not restrict the carry of long guns, except at places listed in PC 46.03 like schools, etc.

Ranges, specifically, are not listed anywhere in the law regarding carry of firearms, and there has never been any law allowing or restricting carry across 3 counties.

Today, Texas allows a person to carry a handgun in their vehicle without a CHL. The handgun can be accessible to the driver and loaded.

[tx-skydiver]

Interesting...and yes, somewhat scary to know that just anyone can have one in their car legally. Are there any rules about informing an officer like we are required to do?

[seamusTX]

Texas Law never makes a distinction whatsoever regarding the loaded condition of a gun.

Except for PC §46.13 MAKING A FIREARM ACCESSIBLE TO A CHILD. But that's irrelevant to this discussion.

Car carry was discussed at great length in this thread: http://www.texasshooting.com/TexasCHL_F ... php?t=7834

- Jim

[KinnyLee]

LOL, in all fairness.....the last words he heard before his day was ruined was me saying, "You are going to shoot yourself in the hand if you keep doing that!" The last words he said were, "No, I am not!". He was wrong.

Yeah, I remember that. There were several others that was plain dangerous. I remember Candy had to give this one guy a blue gun because he was so dangerous. LOL. I just wish we didn't have to switch partners.