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Venus Pax wrote:

ScottDLS wrote: The 10 hours in class is a greater absolute economic cost to the wealthy person than the poor person, because the loss of their time is more expensive to them. If we're going to still have a class, I'd like to see it reduced to 5 hours and include more (any!) gun safety. I'd prefer no training requirement and a nominal fee ($25?) that covers the cost of printing the card and doing the background check every 5 years (so we'd still have a NICS exemption and GFSZA carry). Also no prints and photo...works OK for numerous states. This should help people of all socioeconomic breakdowns, races, gender identities, etc...

I don't mind the class; the laws change and it helps everyone to remain current. I do think that the fees should go down. I do not understand why the renewals can't take place at local DPS offices for a nominal fee. I can see where initials may cost more due to the background check & finger printing, but I think $50 should cover everything if the local DPS offices could take care of it.

My thought was the class and time involved was a significant part of the economic burden...perhaps more so than the $140 fee. But it sure seems like it would be easier to be able to do it at Driver's License office.

ScottDLS wrote:

Venus Pax wrote:

ScottDLS wrote: The 10 hours in class is a greater absolute economic cost to the wealthy person than the poor person, because the loss of their time is more expensive to them. If we're going to still have a class, I'd like to see it reduced to 5 hours and include more (any!) gun safety. I'd prefer no training requirement and a nominal fee ($25?) that covers the cost of printing the card and doing the background check every 5 years (so we'd still have a NICS exemption and GFSZA carry). Also no prints and photo...works OK for numerous states. This should help people of all socioeconomic breakdowns, races, gender identities, etc...

I don't mind the class; the laws change and it helps everyone to remain current. I do think that the fees should go down. I do not understand why the renewals can't take place at local DPS offices for a nominal fee. I can see where initials may cost more due to the background check & finger printing, but I think $50 should cover everything if the local DPS offices could take care of it.

My thought was the class and time involved was a significant part of the economic burden...perhaps more so than the $140 fee. But it sure seems like it would be easier to be able to do it at Driver's License office.

Yes, the class and its time is a significant burden, to the point of excessively so in my opinion because it is being mandated by the government in order to use a protected right. What is the purpose? To make sure people know the laws and what they will be held accountable for, right? Then offering a booklet and test makes sure these people know what they will be held accountable for without trying to get into the details of when and how that really don't help anyone and just create excessive burdens on a constitutional right. By reducing the overhead, they'll be able to reduce the costs and therefore the fees. Same protection, less government-imposed burden all around. And the test can be administered on the same DPS machines that administer driver's license tests. Win-win all around.

Jasonw560 wrote:

74novaman wrote:

Jasonw560 wrote:when I debate my wife

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If I have some numbers that she can see, and realize "normal people" do carry on a daily basis, it'll make it more palatable to her.

And we have a spare bedroom, complete with bed...no need for the couch.

We'll all run by the house one evening-- that'll show her ! well..... maybe.....

Recently, during all of the debates with Illinois Concealed Carry, the University of Illinois (I believe) released a socioeconomic study on concealed carriers. Unfortunately I don't have all the details, as it was just summarized in an interview, but it basically said that concealed carriers were typically middle class white males, middle aged, and worked and lived in lower crime areas. In other words, this study concluded, concealed carriers aren't usually in areas of danger. I'm doing a bad job on paraphrasing, but the study was pro-concealed carry and basically said, Illinois streets would not run red.

Anecdotally, my three friends that CC definitely fit into this category. I fit in most of them. We're all college educated, and I'm in a Master's program at A&M. My wife, who's application is at DPS, is a doctor (veterinarian) and one of about 100 specialists in her field world-wide. Another friend of ours is getting his CHL is one of the top cardiologists (human doc) in Austin. In my social circle at least, we fit more into the study's findings than a prejudicial stereotype.

Snap E Tom wrote:Recently, during all of the debates with Illinois Concealed Carry, the University of Illinois (I believe) released a socioeconomic study on concealed carriers. Unfortunately I don't have all the details, as it was just summarized in an interview, but it basically said that concealed carriers were typically middle class white males, middle aged, and worked and lived in lower crime areas. In other words, this study concluded, concealed carriers aren't usually in areas of danger. I'm doing a bad job on paraphrasing, but the study was pro-concealed carry and basically said, Illinois streets would not run red.

Anecdotally, my three friends that CC definitely fit into this category. I fit in most of them. We're all college educated, and I'm in a Master's program at A&M. My wife, who's application is at DPS, is a doctor (veterinarian) and one of about 100 specialists in her field world-wide. Another friend of ours is getting his CHL is one of the top cardiologists (human doc) in Austin. In my social circle at least, we fit more into the study's findings than a prejudicial stereotype.

I wander what the breakdown of victims of muggings and home burglaries is?

ScottDLS wrote:My thought was the class and time involved was a significant part of the economic burden...perhaps more so than the $140 fee. But it sure seems like it would be easier to be able to do it at Driver's License office.

If someone can pass the tests without taking the prep class, why not? The written test can be offered online, like they do for instructors, or at a DPS office like for the written DL test.