Questions about combined initial and renewal classes?

[Charles L. Cotton]

I don't do combined initial and renewal classes but I have had a number of requests lately. Most of the time it is a CHL who needs a renewal and he/she wanted to get their spouse to get a CHL.

I need some input from instructors who run combined classes. In my 10 hr. classes, material on the test is scattered throughout the entire course, so I don't see a way to run a combined class. Obviously, others have done so successfully, so what's your secret?

Chas.

[MoJo]

Charles,

I put the "light duty" stuff (signs, safety, range procedures, etc.) at the front end and do shooting after lunch break after shooting we all return to the classroom location and go over the "heavy duty stuff" (use of force, dispute resolution, etc.) then a short review session. So far, I have had excellent results.

[Crossfire]

The secret is, you give a quick review of the highlights before you give the test!

Also, we cover all the things the renewals should remember in the morning - Application Process, Eligibility Requirements, NVDR, Firearms Safety and Child Safety, Suspension and Revocation.

Lunch is in the classroom while viewing either "Personal Protection Inside the Home", or "Personal Protection Outside the Home" video. The "Inside" video is longer, and is better for inexperienced shooters. "Outside" is shorter, but better for experienced shooters. I try to guage the class based on their questions from the morning. (Also, I make the CHL-100s while they watch the video. If the class is large, the always watch the longer video!)

Renewals join us after lunchtime, then we cover 30.06, 46.03 and 46.035, Situational Awareness, Chapter 9, and What to Do After A Shooting. Then, a quick review and the written test. And last, range safety briefing, and off to the range for shooting and then they get their certificates.

By the way, the afternoon session is longer than the morning. I can't get it all in otherwise. They renewals tend to be there closer to 6 hours than 4.

[longtooth]

I learned from Crossfire.
It has worked for me 3 renewal times now.

[ELB]

Interesting. I got my initial in 1998, and have renewed on time ever since. Also sat thru different classes with my wife, who got her initial in about 2000 and has renewed since then. We've never been in a class that WASN'T a combined initial/renewal. Didn't know there was another way. One instructor did the shooting part at the end of the day, another did the shooting in the middle, then back to the class room. Sorry I don't remember which subjects were specifically covered in morning and afternoon, but it has been done many times. Good luck.

[randomoutburst]

My CHL class had renewals and new applicants.

We did the shooting portion, then did our fingerprints/paperwork. After that, we went over a fair bit of material.

Then the new applicants took an hour lunch break while the renewals stayed in class to finish up whatever their requirements were. When the new applicants returned, the renewal group was gone and we continued with what we needed to go over.

Seemed to work pretty well...though I never did see the instructor take a lunch break himself!

[Papacub]

I also teach both in my class. Usually hit on as much as possible in the morning including updated material, then shooting range just before lunch. While the new students are at lunch the renewals get to take the test and get their CHL-100 and are free to leave. When the new students come back from lunch, we go over everything in more detail, with more student interaction.

[CompVest]

Ask SRVA, we run both frequently.