How are these questions about carrying possible?

[grumble]

So, what can we do but to encourage those asking quesions to spend more time in the handbook and on this board. We know some people simply do the minimum at most everything they do to include CHL. We also know that some are just lazy and don't want to look for themselves. We also know some may have no idea where to find the info. Either way, we should encourage "those who should know" to spend more time learning what they need to know and give them reasons why it is so important. And, do it in a patient and understanding way no matter what we think. We don't want to discourage anyone about CHL or about this site.

I agree wholeheartedly - but... It seems to me that in a CHL class, there are certain "nuggets" that should be carried out of the classroom, even if you were asleep and drooling on the desk for 8.5 out of the 10 hours. It just seems to make sense that the "defined list of where you MAY NOT carry" should be one of those nuggets. Yes there is a LOT of gray area, and as far as CHL goes, the amount that is in black and white (not what is decided in case law) really is pretty small - and manageable.

I guess my response was more of an "Oh My Gawd" one - meaning, "how could one walk out of the class not knowing that - it was beaten into my brain?" However, I've realized that a lot of folks did not have as high a quality of instruction that I believe I had, which is a sad dose of reality - and yes, and possibly (I hope not) others were simply sleeping and drooling on the table

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying "my instructor was the best of any" - in any way - I am simply saying I believe I got a well rounded introduction to CHL - and the real learning comes after. No one should be afraid to ask a question here, and they should not be made to feel out of place for doing so! I am certain that many others got BETTER instruction than me, and sadly, others not as good. Such is life.

Here's to keeping ourselves sharp and learning something new every day:

[MadMonkey]

I will say that my instructor told one particular student, in no uncertain terms, within the first hour that "either you pay better attention and take this seriously or you can leave now without your CHL paperwork, and without a refund." I will guarantee you, if my instructor didn't think you "got it," you wouldn't have completed the class.

Just out of curiosity, did you take your class at DFW Gun Range? My instructor said the same thing...

[texas1234]

My instructor was horrible and i got nothing out of the class it was an ebarrasement to the CHL process. However, I am also smart enough to know that once I got through this horrible class my life depended on knowing the law, so i basically educated myself. However having a bachelors and masters degree I already knew that my education depended on me not someone else. Some of the smartest people in our culture only finished highschool. Regardless of your instructor everything comes down to personal responsibility. THAT IS HOW THIS COUNTRY WAS FOUNDED FOR THE LOVE OF GOD.

[Drewthetexan]

My instructor misrepresented some of the facts, I think, about having a CHL. The majority of our time was spent watching videos which, while entertaining, seemed only tangentially related to the topics that should have been covered. I don't recall anything about dispute resolution in the class.

Would it be a bad idea for the classes to be audited from time to time?

I think one of the things that is severely lacking in CHL instruction, even in the CHL law book that Texas issues, is any discussion on federal laws. Were it not for this forum, I would have carried on a CoE lake this weekend.

[mark4140]

My instructor was awesome but I was in no way ready to carry after leaving that classroom. I completely agree that the class is just the beginning. Spending 100 hours or so reading old posts in this forum ought to be a requirement... something to do while you wait for your plastic.

Would it be a bad idea for the classes to be audited from time to time?

It would be a great idea and it should be done randomly by undercover auditors. Teaching licences should be pulled without warning if the class is insufficient. There is just too much at stake here... both in lives and in the opportunity for the rest of us to legally continue to carry.

Of course some states give out CHL without any instruction at all.

[frazzled]

My class was also about 12 hours and it sounds like our instructors might be related. He was very thorough. BUT - a day or so later and I certainly couldn't recite all of the places where I couldn't carry. I think some folks forget sporting events, other forget something else. When you aggregate all of our questions on this board, it looks worse than it is.

Indeed.

Its also a function of your life. If you don't go to sporting events this may be something new for you to check on. I know my locale and am good there.