Court ordered concealed carry!

[canoeguy]

Just finished teaching a pistol class for my club, "First Steps" class, an introduction to gun safety and safe operation of a handgun. A basic class, but one that is accepted here in Virginia as the training requirement for obtaining a concealed handgun permit, so over half of our students are taking the class to get thier permit.

We had a class of 20 students, at the beginning of class, I asked each student why they were there and what they hoped to get out of the class. One older gentleman, probably 85 years old, said he was there because a Judge had ordered him to attend! Apparently, he had been stopped for speeding or some other infraction, at some point during the traffic stop the police officer discovered he was carrying a revolver in his back pocket. He confiscated the revolver, and charged him with carrying a concealed weapon. The old gentleman appeared in court, told the judge he had been carrying the revolver for thirty years in his back pocket, and was unaware he had to have a license to carry concealed.

The Judge dismissed the CCW charge, and told him to attend a training class, return with a concealed carry permit, and he would return the revolver to him. So, we loaned him several handguns to shoot during the class, .22 pistol and revolver, .38 Special revolver, etc. He had a good time, got his training completion certificate, and was heading down to the courthouse Monday to start the application process to get his carry permit. Virginia is a "Must Issue" state, so he should have his permit and revolver back in a few weeks.

Justice isn't always blind, and it was fortunate this occured in the State of Virginia. If it had been New York City or New Jersey, the old guy may have been sharing a jail cell with Plaxico Burris....

 

[bubbiesdad]

Just finished teaching a pistol class for my club, "First Steps" class, an introduction to gun safety and safe operation of a handgun. A basic class, but one that is accepted here in Virginia as the training requirement for obtaining a concealed handgun permit, so over half of our students are taking the class to get thier permit.

We had a class of 20 students, at the beginning of class, I asked each student why they were there and what they hoped to get out of the class. One older gentleman, probably 85 years old, said he was there because a Judge had ordered him to attend! Apparently, he had been stopped for speeding or some other infraction, at some point during the traffic stop the police officer discovered he was carrying a revolver in his back pocket. He confiscated the revolver, and charged him with carrying a concealed weapon. The old gentleman appeared in court, told the judge he had been carrying the revolver for thirty years in his back pocket, and was unaware he had to have a license to carry concealed.

The Judge dismissed the CCW charge, and told him to attend a training class, return with a concealed carry permit, and he would return the revolver to him. So, we loaned him several handguns to shoot during the class, .22 pistol and revolver, .38 Special revolver, etc. He had a good time, got his training completion certificate, and was heading down to the courthouse Monday to start the application process to get his carry permit. Virginia is a "Must Issue" state, so he should have his permit and revolver back in a few weeks.

Justice isn't always blind, and it was fortunate this occured in the State of Virginia. If it had been New York City or New Jersey, the old guy may have been sharing a jail cell with Plaxico Burris....

Good thing he got the trial Judge he did.

 

[seagill]

like a story with a happy ending.

 

[OK Hog Shooter]

How refreshing... a judge with sense of fairness.

 

[M29since14]

That's a great story. I wish one could reasonably expect it to happen when conditions seemed to warrant, but every day it gets less and less likely. I hope the gentleman gets his gun back.

 

[Foxtrot]

Just finished teaching a pistol class for my club, "First Steps" class, an introduction to gun safety and safe operation of a handgun. A basic class, but one that is accepted here in Virginia as the training requirement for obtaining a concealed handgun permit, so over half of our students are taking the class to get thier permit.

We had a class of 20 students, at the beginning of class, I asked each student why they were there and what they hoped to get out of the class. One older gentleman, probably 85 years old, said he was there because a Judge had ordered him to attend! Apparently, he had been stopped for speeding or some other infraction, at some point during the traffic stop the police officer discovered he was carrying a revolver in his back pocket. He confiscated the revolver, and charged him with carrying a concealed weapon. The old gentleman appeared in court, told the judge he had been carrying the revolver for thirty years in his back pocket, and was unaware he had to have a license to carry concealed.

The Judge dismissed the CCW charge, and told him to attend a training class, return with a concealed carry permit, and he would return the revolver to him. So, we loaned him several handguns to shoot during the class, .22 pistol and revolver, .38 Special revolver, etc. He had a good time, got his training completion certificate, and was heading down to the courthouse Monday to start the application process to get his carry permit. Virginia is a "Must Issue" state, so he should have his permit and revolver back in a few weeks.

Justice isn't always blind, and it was fortunate this occured in the State of Virginia. If it had been New York City or New Jersey, the old guy may have been sharing a jail cell with Plaxico Burris....

You guys can do different guns in the course for concealed carry? Here, they only allow the gun your going to actually carry.

 

[Dave270]

Here in Florida, I am carrying under the Federal L.E.O.S.A. (Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act). I have to qualify once a year. We fire a 40 round qualification course twice, once with a semi-automatic, your personal weapon or the academy weapon, and once with a revolver, again yours or the academy's. Once we qualify, we are authorized to carry ANY semi-auto or revolver. Also, under the L.E.O.S.A, we are authorized to carry concealed in ALL of the 50 states, including the District of Columbia and ALL U.S. Territories..


Dave

 

[canoeguy]

Foxtrot,

Here in Virginia, you just have to show proof of some sort of pistol training or qualification, nothing firearm specific. Folks who have been in the military can use a copy of thier discharge papers (DD-214) if it shows some sort of pistol training or marksmanship medal.

The "First Steps" class is a basic one, mainly teaching basic safety and pistol operation. At least the students fire thier pistols under instruction, unlike some of the "Concealed Carry" classes taught at gun shows where the students get a few hours of classroom and no range time.

I hear there is even an on-line, internet based course where students can enroll, take the classes on-line, take a test and get a training certificate without even firing a round!

 

[cshoff]

Just finished teaching a pistol class for my club, "First Steps" class, an introduction to gun safety and safe operation of a handgun. A basic class, but one that is accepted here in Virginia as the training requirement for obtaining a concealed handgun permit, so over half of our students are taking the class to get thier permit.

We had a class of 20 students, at the beginning of class, I asked each student why they were there and what they hoped to get out of the class. One older gentleman, probably 85 years old, said he was there because a Judge had ordered him to attend! Apparently, he had been stopped for speeding or some other infraction, at some point during the traffic stop the police officer discovered he was carrying a revolver in his back pocket. He confiscated the revolver, and charged him with carrying a concealed weapon. The old gentleman appeared in court, told the judge he had been carrying the revolver for thirty years in his back pocket, and was unaware he had to have a license to carry concealed.

The Judge dismissed the CCW charge, and told him to attend a training class, return with a concealed carry permit, and he would return the revolver to him. So, we loaned him several handguns to shoot during the class, .22 pistol and revolver, .38 Special revolver, etc. He had a good time, got his training completion certificate, and was heading down to the courthouse Monday to start the application process to get his carry permit. Virginia is a "Must Issue" state, so he should have his permit and revolver back in a few weeks.

Justice isn't always blind, and it was fortunate this occured in the State of Virginia. If it had been New York City or New Jersey, the old guy may have been sharing a jail cell with Plaxico Burris....

That's strange. The NRA specifies the FIRST Steps class as being, specifically, for four or fewer students. In fact, due to the hands-on nature of the instruction, the NRA rates the course at 3 hours in length based on a student-to-instructor ratio of 1:1, and they expect the course length to increase proportionately for each additional participant up to a total of 4. I didn't know you could get by with having 20 students in that course.

Of course, it may be presumptuous of me to assume that you were referring to the NRA FIRST Steps course when you said "First Steps" class in your OP. If so, then I apologize for the misunderstanding.

 

[hobby-gunsmith]

That's strange. The NRA specifies the FIRST Steps class as being, specifically, for four or fewer students. In fact, due to the hands-on nature of the instruction, the NRA rates the course at 3 hours in length based on a student-to-instructor ratio of 1:1, and they expect the course length to increase proportionately for each additional participant up to a total of 4. I didn't know you could get by with having 20 students in that course
QUOTE]

That is so true. I teach the class with a maximum of four students. The class is geared toward the firearm you will be using and the model is inidcated on the completion certificate. If the student desires to obtain a CWP, in Florida, a copy must be submitted to the State with the application. When you are instructing students that are not knowledgble about firearms, it increases the three hours of instruction to possible four or five hours considering classroom time and range time. All students will fire at least 25 to 40 rounds at the range untill he or she can safely load, unload and hit the target within reason depending on exerience.

Nick

 

[canoeguy]

Yes, it is the NRA's First Steps course, and we are fortunate to have enough instructors in our club that we can have eight students shooting at a time, each with thier own instructor, one to one ratio. We have taught as many as 24 students in one class, shooting in three relays of eight students.

We teach the class room portion the night before the range session, then spend as much time on the range as necessary to make sure the students have the basics down pat.

Most of the people who live in our area are retirees, so most of our students are age 60 plus, most have never shot a handgun before. Some haven't purchased a handgun yet, so we will loan them something that is appropriate for thier age and need.

 

[blujax01]

You guys can do different guns in the course for concealed carry? Here, they only allow the gun your going to actually carry.

In the CCW class I went to, we were not allowed to bring our own. As a matter of fact, half the class did not yet own a gun and had no idea what they wanted. A few had no plans to actually buy a gun - they just wanted the experience.
After a 6 hour first day in the classroom, the second 6 hour day was spent on the range with several hand guns provided by the range. We each shot 2 different revolvers (J-frame .38 and L-frame .357) and 2 different autos (Compact 9 MM and Full sized .45). When it came time to qualify we could choose from any of the above.

 

[CAV 1SG]

Here in Arkansas if you take the CCW class with a wheel gun, you may only carry a wheel gun. If you take the class with a semi, you may carry either a semi or revolver!

 

[dinooch]

In NY State if you are able to get a permit (not that easy) You cannot carry in NY City or surrounding restricted area. Good luck getting a permit to carry there. I have an unrestricted permit for the rest of the state and can carry anything I want. Hi-cap magazines must be pre '94 so the Beretta M9 stays home just for the fact it would probably considered "offensive" instead of "defensive". Just because they say you can carry anthing you want probably doesn't really mean that. Keep it at 10 or under and carry a spare or two.

 

[cshoff]

In Missouri, you can qualify with any handgun of any caliber, and carry any lawfully possessed firearm of any caliber on the permit. If you can conceal a 12 gauge with a 28" barrel on it, then it's good to go with your permit.

 

[edprof]

In Arkansas the CCW license is not firearm-specific.

 

[aryfrosty]

I enjoy these discussions...

I enjoy seeing the differing structures of licensing. I am a retired LEO and after retiring I began to work hard on my collection and in range time. In NH the licenses don't have any training requirements and I think they should. In my own case I still fire multiple times each year. In fact, I shoot more now than when I was working and only had to qual twice a year. All I need to do for a CCW is fill out the form and hand it to the PD for them to do a background. I believe in all persons having a right to carry if they aren't dq'd by bad acts, but I would feel a lot better if I knew they were at least training themselves.

 

[Class III]

When I first got my HCP it was not a state (TN) permit and was only good in the county where issued. It was up to the local county sheriff to decide if your permit to carry was approved or rejected. You could only carry the firearm you qualified with and the firearm had to be on the sheriff's department approved carry list (S & W , Colt or Ruger in 38 Spcl, 357 Mag, 9mm or 45 ACP. 40 S & W had not been born yet). Next came the "May Issue" state permit that was good state wide but still had the firearms manufacturer/caliber and only carry what you qualify with restrictions. Now Tennessee is a "Shall Issue" state. When TN converted to the "Shall Issue" permits they changed the requirements to 4 hours class room and 4 hours range time with minimum of 50 rounds fired during the range session and you could qualify with and carry any handgun. The make, model, caliber and serial number where recorded and transmitted to the state even though you could carry any handgun regardless of what you qualified with. Tennessee has since dropped the required recording of make, model, caliber and serial numbers on the qualification application. For purposes of staying updated on any changes I may have missed I audit the class about once a year at a Memphis area range a friend of mine owns. He doesn't mind as this puts an extra set of "Eyes and ears" on the range during live fire, plus I usually bring along a new paying student or two.

Class III