kjolly wrote:If a person is taking the CHL class they should already be very experienced with their firearms, shooting and the safety rules. Too many people leaping into the class before they are ready or experienced enough.
Well, perhaps in a perfect world, all CHL students would come to class "very experienced" with their firearms, etc. However, there is certainly no requirement for such pre-training. That's why one of the four areas to be taught is "handgun use, proficiency, and safety". This section will be review for any experienced shooters (well, hopefully, anyway ). Instructors should be aware of, and prepared to safely process students that have little or no experience. It isn't up to the instructor to determine who is "qualified" to take the class. It's open to all. Unsafe students need to be quickly corrected, or removed from the shooting line if necessary.
Range Rule: "The front gate lock is not an acceptable target." Never Forget.
Jumping Frog wrote:How instructors for 44 people? In particular what was the instructor-student ratio during the range?
I took the class in G.P. on the 25th, same instructor and 45 people in my class. The was one instructor sitting by the laptop and one instructor talking during the classroom portion. During shooting there was one instructor and 7 lanes, so 1:7 ratio.
I agree with what was said above about too many people and too much soapbox. This was the most unsafe place I've been in a long time. .Students that have never fired a pistol were playing with their rental guns and loading magazines all over the place in the classroom. I saw almost no instructions being given to anyone prior to picking up their loaded gun in the range. I wish someone would audit his class just for the sake of safety.
This statement is absolutely not true. The only rental weapons we have, stay in the instructors possession until we are on the range, and under NO CIRCUMSTANCES is ammo allowed to be out during class
Everyone is safety briefed before the range portion, and the examination is throughly explained before starting. I shouldn't have to give "instruction" in the range portion, as this is not a learn to shoot class. Shooters are closely monitored, and unsafe behavior is quickly dealt with.
If you felt there was too much soapbox, that is your opinion, and as such you are entitled to it. I do appreciate the feedback (at least the section that was honest)
I can only conclude that either you don't remember or you are the one that is not being honest! In light of your soapbox stories and now these comments, I feel sure it is the latter. I have absolutely nothing to gain but to inform others of the situation and invite anyone that was in the class on Feb. 25 2012 to post their comments on the situation. I stand by every word I have written.
I took Daniel's class in March and at no time during our class did anyone have their firearms out of their cases. There was one person during our range time that used a rental and it was not issued to him until we entered the range. While I do agree that the class is too large and/or room too small for class size, I do feel that the instruction was good and everone that had a question was answered. I liked Daniel and felt that he kept everyone engaged in the class and kept it from being boring.
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I too took the class in March and no one had a firearm out during class or were allowed to. The class was large but engaged. In fact, I felt Daniel's stories on the side are what held the interest of the class and made the long day go by quickly. I would recommend Daniel's class to anyone. At no time did I feel like my safety was threatened.
My husband and I also took our class with Daniel. Yes, it was a large group, but I too feel that everyone was engaged. Daniel kept it interesting, and he took the time to answer all questions that were asked.
No one had firearms out in the classroom, except Daniel (for demonstration purposes) and everything was handled safely and professionally.
I too, will recommend Dallas Concealed Carry to friends and family.
For my own part, there was one guy who pulled out his gun during class and Daniel immediately addressed it and had the guy put the gun away. I also, did not feel that Daniel was at any point "unsafe" and at no point did Daniel express that the class should do any unsafe thing. Daniel was friendly, and informative for the most part and I simply found that some of the content wasn't my cup of tea and that the class could have been better organized. If Daniel is providing the service that people prefer I in no way want to express that people shouldn't go to Daniel's class or that Daniel is doing a poor job, I am simply expressing ways I thought it could have been better.
As for the other half of this which is Mike's experience. The rental guns that I was aware of were in a box that was carried by Daniel into the class, they were all XDs and they were all under Daniel's control until directly given to the students AT THE RANGE, IN THEIR LANE. Once the shooting portion was done the guns were returned to Daniel. Since there is no reason for Mike to make this up, this leads me to think that there is a misunderstanding. Were the rental guns rented from Daniel or the facility in which the class was held? A large class makes it difficult to police all behavior, especially in a room where people are crammed together such as at the Grand Prairie location. This may have led to a situation in which Daniel was unable to monitor all behavior, all the time, and that is an issue that might warrant attention. I wasn't there, I can't speak to that. I can say that I personally asked two people at my table to stop messing with their mags and ammo during the class, but they weren't touching their firearm (which was stored) and I wasn't particularly freaked out about it, I just let them know that they were asked not to and that they'd get reamed if caught. Just my perspective, I think that between the two extremes the truth will be found and both sides should maybe give a little ground for the continued safety of people who do choose that class. Mistakes happen, things get missed, it's how we react after they happen that makes the difference. Hugs all around.
Kabong30 wrote:Hey Daniel, I hope you understand that my issue with the "soapbox" was that I felt like there should have been more content related to what was gonna be on the test. I had done a lot of prep leading up to the class so it wasn't an issue for me, but it might have been for others. I also had an issue with the instruction going on with student out on the range. There were also students on the range during the "review" so they missed out on that as well. Now, the communal testing environment pretty much guaranteed that a mentally disabled chimp could still pass, but I feel like a little tweaking on your part might change "my opinion" which not only am I entitled to have but to share.
As I can appreciate your position on instruction while people were on the range, THAT instruction was not on any of the 4 areas the state requires. I do appreciate your (and others) feedback on the course.
Oh, and the communal testing method is the same method that the state uses when you go to Austin to take their course.
Would you please define what you mean by "communal testing method?" This almost sounds like your saying everyone is working together on the one same test, helping one another...and I know that is not done at the Austin training, so you must mean something other than how it sounds.
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Kabong30 wrote:Hey Daniel, I hope you understand that my issue with the "soapbox" was that I felt like there should have been more content related to what was gonna be on the test. I had done a lot of prep leading up to the class so it wasn't an issue for me, but it might have been for others. I also had an issue with the instruction going on with student out on the range. There were also students on the range during the "review" so they missed out on that as well. Now, the communal testing environment pretty much guaranteed that a mentally disabled chimp could still pass, but I feel like a little tweaking on your part might change "my opinion" which not only am I entitled to have but to share.
As I can appreciate your position on instruction while people were on the range, THAT instruction was not on any of the 4 areas the state requires. I do appreciate your (and others) feedback on the course.
Oh, and the communal testing method is the same method that the state uses when you go to Austin to take their course.
Would you please define what you mean by "communal testing method?" This almost sounds like your saying everyone is working together on the one same test, helping one another...and I know that is not done at the Austin training, so you must mean something other than how it sounds.
The testing (as I took it) is done with everyone getting a copy of the test, then they write their answers on their own piece of paper. While there weren't people talking during the test to each other certainly it was open note. After the test we all graded our own tests by having the answers read aloud and as I recall the answer sheets were not collected. In fact, I may still have that answer sheet someplace. Anyway, after that point we filled out two copies of the CHL-100 gave one back and kept one, and went home.
I took Daniel's class on 4/14/12 Great class! (for daniel I was the "XD guy")
For having been there 10 hrs, daniel's ability to joke around, and be serious when needed was well done. Were there a lot of people there, yes. Especially when most poeple there got coupons from Living Social. I took the class at the Garland building. No guns were out during class time. At the range, Daniel actually told a user to stop the test as unsafe gun practices were being used. He told the user that they were to stop the test at that point and go behind the line.
I would recommend Daniel's class to another person. Were there questions on the test that we didnt cover, yes, did it matter, no. The test is a pass/fail, not a what grade did you make type test. You can miss 14 questions and still pass, I think I missed 2.
What I was shocked at was how many people were there that had no experience with handguns. Some where there on dates, but that is not Daniel's fault. He is there to teach a CHL class and to qualify those that are there. Shoot we even had one guy in our class that said he is anti-gun and was there on a date, haha. Being in that environment I think Daniel treated this gentleman with a lot of respect and didnt belittle this gentleman at all. Which he could have if he wanted.
I attended Daniel's class yesterday, July 28, 2012. It was a fantastic experience! I attended a chl class back in 02 at targetmaster that left a lot of inaccurate information ingrained in my mind. This was all quickly corrected and explained by Daniel. As Daniel will tell you... This is not a "candy class"--- he's not lying. I've noticed how much more I am aware of my surroundings since yesterday.
We had a class of 28-15 of which were women! I thought this was fantastic! I thought for sure I'd be the only female present. I would definitely sit in on the class again and look forward to doing my recertification training with him in the years to come.
I would rate the class an A...only reason it's not an A+ is because it was a looooong day but....10 hours is what's required! :)
Good job Daniel! I will be sending my husband your way!!!
Erica1331 wrote:I attended Daniel's class yesterday, July 28, 2012. It was a fantastic experience! I attended a chl class back in 02 at targetmaster that left a lot of inaccurate information ingrained in my mind. This was all quickly corrected and explained by Daniel. As Daniel will tell you... This is not a "candy class"--- he's not lying. I've noticed how much more I am aware of my surroundings since yesterday.
We had a class of 28-15 of which were women! I thought this was fantastic! I thought for sure I'd be the only female present. I would definitely sit in on the class again and look forward to doing my recertification training with him in the years to come.
I would rate the class an A...only reason it's not an A+ is because it was a looooong day but....10 hours is what's required! :)
Good job Daniel! I will be sending my husband your way!!!
Welcome to the forum Erica. Taking the class BEFORE your husband, good job!
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A very interesting lot of people here commenting on the instructor and class. Yes, mine was full. Yes there were some newbies there. ME. Yes, there were some re-certs there. Yes, some brought their own weapons. Yes, the class room was small.
My bio so you understand where I am coming from. I am new to CHL. New to hand gun use and carry. Not much range time under my belt at the time.
I took the class 2012-03-29 at the Grand Prairie location. I can tell you that there is no way to make the penal code fun or enjoyable without injecting something into it. You must or you will lose your class. I never noticed a weapon outside of its case, unless Daniel had it. I never witnessed him refusing to answer a question ask of him. I do realize that the state has all the say as to what the content type is and the time spent on each subject is going to be. I do feel if you left his class, or any for that matter, with questions unasked, that's your fault. In my class he answered everything put forth to him.
I left my class with what I wanted, my CHL form. However, I also left with something I didn't expect and that was the knowledge that I have a lot left to learn about gun safety, usage, gun law and civil law. I completely blame Daniel for this. He is responsible for teaching me that there was more to learn. Thanks.
It sounds as if there were some with unrealistic expectations as to what this class was going to provide and they left unhappy as a result. I had my CHL license as of May and I am happy with that. I'll return to this and/or his class in about four years to re-cert with no problems. I do wish someone with more CHL experience would chime in, but I'd venture to say to those of you that are complaining are missing an opportunity to learn something. That something being, there's much more to learn. Plus, you have the option to take another class with another instructor if you feel that this class was deficient. How many of you remember your driver instructor? I don't! I know I learned to drive. I know I also learned a lot more in the years that followed. Perhaps if you'll do the same, you can get over what ever is bothering you now and move along.
What were you taught about how to treat every gun that you come into contact with? Treat it as if it is loaded and ready to fire and safety check it, then do it again each and every time it is in your hand. Why do I say this? To those who complained about this class I say this. If you saw a weapon out did you stand up and say anything? If you witnessed ammo out, did you tell the instructor? Did you witness unsafe gun handling on the firing line? What did you do? Your safety starts with you, not someone else. You! If you don't get the answer you feel is right, you leave because your safety is your responsibility. As soon as you place that responsibility with someone else, that will be the time an accident will happen.
I like to keep this handy... for close encounters.
I would like to get a word in and this is just that. I took a class and the test but both are to familiarize people with law and do's and don’ts. No one is coming out with a law degree and it is not a place to learn basic handgun handling but who is to say who is in and who is out. Our constitution don't say "if you can't handle a gun you are excluded"
I would like for the first person to stand up that knew how to handle a gun before they ever owned one. I for one had people teach me and as I grew up I learned along the way and still am.... there is a saying that sticks with me... "Train don't complain; after all we are our brother keeper"
when I was in a private gun club people were the nicest people and traded info and I can't remember someone looking down on another shooter because they didn't know something buy instead offered to help and teach.... is that not what we are here for...to pass along knowledge. When we do everyone benefits
Some parents say it is toy guns that make boys warlike. But give a boy a rubber duck and he will seize its neck like the butt of a pistol and shout "Bang!"......George Will
). Instructors should be aware of, and prepared to safely process students that have little or no experience. It isn't up to the instructor to determine who is "qualified" to take the class. It's open to all. Unsafe students need to be quickly corrected, or removed from the shooting line if necessary.
