I, too, hate to use the word "mandatory". But I don't really see an efficient way around it either. My CCW class was eight hours with classroom time(including basic legal aspects)& range time. The instructors were thorough, & the class was enjoyable. I think people need to know the consequences of deciding to carry, as it is not something to be taken lightly. They need to know that they're not becoming LEO auxiliaries, & the dreaded mall ninjas need to be weeded out. Its not something done to be cool, its to provide real world protection for someone that actually needs it.

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Lounge Lizard Extraordinaire