Florida CCW class - not what I expected (somewhat disappointed)

[Jeeebus]

Sat through the three hour class last night. Not particularly thrilled with it.

About 20 people get rounded up into a room, the instructor pushes play, and then we proceed to watch a 2 hour video that is extremely broad/general as to defense concepts. I now know that I generally should not engage people in trading insults (no mention of doing so online, thankfully), and that if someone stabs me in the throat I can generally shoot him.

The whole time the instructor is not in the room, and I'm proud to say I fought the strong urge to just drain the battery on my phone surfing the internet. Can't say the same for others in the room, and since nobody was there to ensure we were watching, who knows?

Two hours later - nothing on Florida's laws. Nothing about what locations you can or cannot take your firearm; nothing on how Florida's 'stand your ground' law is defined/applied. Nothing.

Instructor comes back in, demonstrates how to hold a glock, tells some stories about him antagonizing some guy into nearly getting blown away by the instructor, takes us to the range, pew, pew, and we're done.

It's a little scary that it is THAT easy to get a license to carry a loaded firearm.

In somewhat related news, my wife killed the shit out of her target... much more accurate than me. Remind me not to piss her off.

 

[basslover1]

Depends on the instructor, some take it very seriously others like this moron: http://newportrichey.wtsp.com/news/...ngs-will-let-you-pass-gun-safety-course-pasco
don't take it seriously at all.

The class I went to was 2.5-3 hours long, and the instructor went over a few situations where it would or wouldn't permissible to use a firearm, where to carry, when to carry, etc etc.

And since there is more information than what can be taught in a 3 hour course, our instructor recommended this book to us: http://www.floridafirearmslaw.com/p/Florida-Firearms-Law-Use-Ownership-Book-7th.html

 

[SandEagle]

how much did you pay for that "training"?

 

[JulesMaximus]

Yet I've seen people here routinely argue that CCW holders are better trained than the Police.

Guess that's a load of horseshit...

 

[Jeeebus]

how much did you pay for that "training"?

$65

 

[Fritzo]

Two hours later - nothing on Florida's laws. Nothing about what locations you can or cannot take your firearm; nothing on how Florida's 'stand your ground' law is defined/applied. Nothing.

Instructor comes back in, demonstrates how to hold a glock, tells some stories about him antagonizing some guy into nearly getting blown away by the instructor, takes us to the range, pew, pew, and we're done.

It's a little scary that it is THAT easy to get a license to carry a loaded firearm.

That's what all the gun control advocates are saying. It's a bit too easy for ANYONE to get a firearm.

 

[RagingBITCH]

That's what all the gun control advocates are saying. It's a bit too easy for ANYONE to get a firearm.

Buying a firearm isn't the same thing as taking a CCW. I don't know which side of the fence you sit on for that subject, but why shouldn't it be easy to get one?

 

[basslover1]

That's what all the gun control advocates are saying. It's a bit too easy for ANYONE to get a firearm.

There's a difference between getting a CCW and buying a handgun.

Without the former it's a three day cool-down/wait period, with a CCW it's instant you can walk out with it that day. However, with or without the CCW permit they still do a background check on you when you purchase a firearm. Not only that but the process to even get a CCW permit took me about 7 weeks from the date of filing. It's a pretty thorough check they run on you if you wish to conceal carry.

 

[olds]

..

In somewhat related news, my wife killed the shit out of her target... much more accurate than me. Remind me not to piss her off.

I wouldn't say my wife can shoot better than me but she's a damn fine shot. Better than some of my guy friends.

 

[CPA]

Buying a firearm isn't the same thing as taking a CCW. I don't know which side of the fence you sit on for that subject, but why shouldn't it be easy to get one?

This.

 

[sourceninja]

Sat through the three hour class last night. Not particularly thrilled with it.

About 20 people get rounded up into a room, the instructor pushes play, and then we proceed to watch a 2 hour video that is extremely broad/general as to defense concepts. I now know that I generally should not engage people in trading insults (no mention of doing so online, thankfully), and that if someone stabs me in the throat I can generally shoot him.

The whole time the instructor is not in the room, and I'm proud to say I fought the strong urge to just drain the battery on my phone surfing the internet. Can't say the same for others in the room, and since nobody was there to ensure we were watching, who knows?

Two hours later - nothing on Florida's laws. Nothing about what locations you can or cannot take your firearm; nothing on how Florida's 'stand your ground' law is defined/applied. Nothing.

Instructor comes back in, demonstrates how to hold a glock, tells some stories about him antagonizing some guy into nearly getting blown away by the instructor, takes us to the range, pew, pew, and we're done.

It's a little scary that it is THAT easy to get a license to carry a loaded firearm.

In somewhat related news, my wife killed the shit out of her target... much more accurate than me. Remind me not to piss her off.

Let me give you the rundown on how I got my LIFETIME carry permit in Indiana.

Step 1) Walk to county jail, pick up app.
Step 2) Fill out app.
Step 3) Get 2 cashiers checks, one for jail and one for state.
Step 4) Give filled out app and checks to teller at jail.
Step 5) Get fingerprinted.
Step 6) Wait 3 weeks for permit in the mail.

There is no training required, just some money and a desire to carry a gun.

 

[LTC8K6]

Sat through the three hour class last night. Not particularly thrilled with it.

About 20 people get rounded up into a room, the instructor pushes play, and then we proceed to watch a 2 hour video that is extremely broad/general as to defense concepts. I now know that I generally should not engage people in trading insults (no mention of doing so online, thankfully), and that if someone stabs me in the throat I can generally shoot him.

The whole time the instructor is not in the room, and I'm proud to say I fought the strong urge to just drain the battery on my phone surfing the internet. Can't say the same for others in the room, and since nobody was there to ensure we were watching, who knows?

Two hours later - nothing on Florida's laws. Nothing about what locations you can or cannot take your firearm; nothing on how Florida's 'stand your ground' law is defined/applied. Nothing.

Instructor comes back in, demonstrates how to hold a glock, tells some stories about him antagonizing some guy into nearly getting blown away by the instructor, takes us to the range, pew, pew, and we're done.

It's a little scary that it is THAT easy to get a license to carry a loaded firearm.

In somewhat related news, my wife killed the shit out of her target... much more accurate than me. Remind me not to piss her off.

That's because FL is a "shall issue" state. The "training" is just perfunctory because of that, I think. They basically have to issue you a concealed carry permit unless there is a very good reason to deny you.

 

[coxmaster]

Now you just have to wait FOREVER to actually get your Florida CWP.. I sent mine in mid-september and it is still being processed.

 

[Sluggo]

In somewhat related news, my wife killed the shit out of her target... much more accurate than me. Remind me not to piss her off.

My wife does pretty good at the range, getting about 98% of her shots on the silhouette; but every time we go to the range she manages to get at least one shot on the target right between the eyes, every single time.

 

[SunnyD]

NRA state FTW?

 

[Abe Froman]

Let me give you the rundown on how I got my LIFETIME carry permit in Indiana.

Step 1) Walk to county jail, pick up app.
Step 2) Fill out app.
Step 3) Get 2 cashiers checks, one for jail and one for state.
Step 4) Give filled out app and checks to teller at jail.
Step 5) Get fingerprinted.
Step 6) Wait 3 weeks for permit in the mail.

There is no training required, just some money and a desire to carry a gun.

But you have to live in Indiana.

 

[clamum]

Michigan is shall issue too, and the class me, my bro, and buddy took was 8 hours. The instructor was quite good and lots of questions were asked and answered.

Despite the decent training, I still think one needs to spend a good amount of time themselves reading, practicing drawing and shooting, etc etc etc. I've read a decent amount and have shot quite a bit between my pistols and rifles, and still consider myself a "noob". Lots of things to consider. I guess I don't have statistics, but I have a feeling a lot of people do not take it as seriously as they should.

 

[Kroze]

so you need to attend a class for common sense? And then bitch about it?

Use common sense when u need to draw and use the gun. If you need a class to teach you then you don't need to ccw

 

[jagec]

so you need to attend a class for common sense? And then bitch about it?

Use common sense when u need to draw and use the gun. If you need a class to teach you then you don't need to ccw

His whole point was that the class that he took spent the whole time teaching common-sense issues, instead of, say, what the laws and regulations were on firearms. That was why he was bitching about it.

Besides, some people DO need to be taught common sense, because they have none.

 

[Pulsar]

Yet I've seen people here routinely argue that CCW holders are better trained than the Police.

Guess that's a load of horseshit...

Jules, meet Mr. Strawman. Mr. Strawman, meet Jules.

What am I thinking! You're already both well acquainted with eachother.

 

[JulesMaximus]

so you need to attend a class for common sense? And then bitch about it?

Use common sense when u need to draw and use the gun. If you need a class to teach you then you don't need to ccw

You mean like Michael Dunn?

 

[Jeeebus]

so you need to attend a class for common sense? And then bitch about it?

Use common sense when u need to draw and use the gun. If you need a class to teach you then you don't need to ccw

I suspect reading comprehension was not your strongest subject in school.

 

[thebestMAX]

Did you expect competence, knowledge, a good job or value for your dollar? Come on Man, you are in FLORIDUH.

 

[mugs]

Yet I've seen people here routinely argue that CCW holders are better trained than the Police.

Guess that's a load of horseshit...

Someone who goes to the range regularly probably is. Someone who takes a CCW class is not. This should not need to be explained.

 

[sourceninja]

Yet I've seen people here routinely argue that CCW holders are better trained than the Police.

Guess that's a load of horseshit...

Well, I'd guess most CCW holders (like myself) went out on their own and found good training. I have had marksmanship training, weapon retention training, self defense tactics training, and on going sport shooting activities to hone my use of my firearms.

I shoot at least once a week for sport and always shoot at least 100 rounds though my carry weapon of choice during that time (along with my 'toys'). I spend at least a half hour of my weekly range time on working on techniques that help with quickly drawing and getting on target with my pistol and working with failures (jams and misfires). In the summer I go to a outdoor range that will let me work on shooting while moving. My friends and I run many drills designed to teach you how to properly move and shoot your weapon.

I do this for two reasons. The first is this kind of training is fun to me. I enjoy it as a hobby. The second is because I feel that I am responsible for the firearm I carry. It would be irresponsible of me to carry a weapon and be improperly trained to use it and retain it.