MY renewal class...9-13-07

[CWOOD]

We were asked to report at 0730 and, of course, one person had to be late, which held everyone up by a good half hour. The traffic is not too bad at that time of day. Just allow your self an extra 15-30 minutes so you can start ASAP.

Fortunately it was cool and overcast and the profeciency demonstration went very smoothly. We only had 30 folks in our class. Sgt. Jimmie Holmes is the new Starr. He did a great job and is a first class individual. We were through by 0930 and had until 1030 to get to class at the La Quinta in Georgetown.

To get to the La Quinta, go back to I-35 and head south on the frontage road. Go through two stop sign intersections and then you will come to the La Quinta. No need to get ON the interstate.

Sgt. Holmes got eveything set up and introduced Lt. Charles Derriick who gave the use of force information. As in the past he asked if one has a 'right' to use deadly force in self defense. The law doesn't provide a right but does provide certain 'justifications'. Interesting arguement. He also briefly covered Castle Doctrine. Basically saying that it takes what we had at home and extends it to a couple of new areas...car and workplace.

Derrick also touched on part of the castle doctrine and the removal of a 'duty to retreat' and spoke of someone being where they had a 'right to be'. As an example a CHL'er has a right to be in a Dairy Queen and the Bad Guy wanting to rob the place does not. One would have legal 'standing' over the other based on intent. He also had some reaction time information which adds new insight to the use of force as a "last resort". By this I mean that 'last resort' might come sooner than many people think because the person in the defensive postion is always behind the actin curve as it relates to time. Derrick did an informatine, interesting and thought provoking presentation...and he was just getting over pneumonia. Great guy.

Marion Stahl gave a 'process' up date on the paperwork. She covered the new third renewal exemption from having to take the renewal class for 10 years. Also, an important point to learn is that the Dept. is gettting much more strict on who is permitted to do fingermprints for a CHL application. A list of authorized (non-LEO) persons was provided. If you think you are authorized, you need to make sure that you have a LEO dept. letter on file. Marion did her usual informative and good natured presentation.

Next came Legal. Ms. O'Shaw did it again this year. She has a lot of information and went pretty fast. She stressed that application fees ARE NOT REFUNDABLE. This seems to have become a big issue. Have applicants make sure they are eligible before they send in the money. She gave talk and a sheet summarizing the new law changes but this did not include anything on Castle Doctrine. I guess that is why Lt. Derrick covered it. Overall, she did a good job.

Another change is that a CHL'er cannot be in possession of more than one valid license at a time. So if you change name, address or handgun catagory, you have to send in the old license when you get the new one. They are getting very serious about this. They do not want the expired license after a renewal.

Safe handling and storage and other admin. rule changes were very abbreviated as they were trying to get us released ASAP. We took the test, provided the eval, and scored the test. They then passed out new certificates and we were out by 5:30.

All in all it was not a bad day. We had a good, attentive group who all seemed to be adults...always nice.

One pet peeve...I think it should be mandatory that all CHL instructors be required to participate on this forum. It is sometimes shocking to hear the misinformation which is passed around in a group of folks who should know better. At least this time, I didn't hear anyone say that church and amusement parks were prohibited places. Some of them thought the parking lot bill passed and were quoting the specifications needed to comply. JEEESH!

As far as the test goes, If you are familiar with the regular test and pay attnetion in class, you will have everything you need to pass. I think everyone got their certificate in my group.

Hope this helps.
Drive safely.

[Greybeard]

"Derrick also touched on part of the castle doctrine and the removal of a 'duty to retreat' and spoke of someone being where they had a 'right to be'. As an example a CHL'er has a right to be in a Dairy Queen and the Bad Guy wanting to rob the place does not."

That's definitely something he did not touch on in our class on Aug. 7.

Yep, I agree that there is a lot to be gleaned here by other instructors.

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. I, too, was present in the Sept. 13th session and agree with CWOOD's
evaluation.

Best.

[CWOOD]

Hello. I, too, was present in the Sept. 13th session and agree with CWOOD's
evaluation.

Best.

Stephan,
I truly regret not having known you were in the class. It would have been an honor to meet and visit with you. I have admired your comments here and the Hi-Power forum for years. A missed opportunity on my part.

Carl

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello and thanks. I was the guy on the front row on the right side (facing instructors, second from the aisle) so that I could hear what was being said.

Best.

[CWOOD]

I guess I was right behind you. Second row on the right and second from the right. DARN!