How Popular Are CCW Classes Becoming Where You Live?

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.308 Norma

.308 Norma

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If I sound rather naïve and ill-informed, please take it easy on me. We live in rural Idaho, and the most (and I think probably best) info I get about what CCW classes are like elsewhere in the nation is what I read right here on THR. I sure as heck don’t listen to much about what the national news media has to say about the CCW classes.

Last Saturday, our daughter and her fiancé (Jon) completed the required class for obtaining their Idaho “Enhanced” Concealed Carry Permits. Jon already had an Idaho “Standard” Concealed Carry Permit, but he wants the “Enhanced” version because of its reciprocity with more states than the “Standard” version.

Anyway, because I had called about the class for my wife and myself a few weeks ago, I knew the class, which was clear up in Idaho Falls (about 80 miles from here) was booked up until sometime in June. And that was encouraging to me because I like that more people are becoming interested in firearms and taking more responsibility for their own safety.

However, until Saturday night, after our daughter and her fiancé had completed the class, I had no idea how large the CCW trend has become, at least around here it seems. Our daughter and Jon told us that including themselves, there were 48 people in that class! And I’d bet money it wasn’t the only CCW class in Idaho - even last Saturday.

Actually, our daughter and Jon told us it was really 2 classes - 24 students in each class. They said 1 class was given the 4 hours of legal/laws instruction in the morning while the other class was getting the safety training and actual firing practice on the indoor range. Then after lunch, the 2 classes switched. They also said that during the live fire practice, there were 8 students on the firing line at a time, and 4 Instructors – 1 for every 2 students.

So I’m interested in hearing from both CCW Instructors as well as people here who have recently completed a CCW class. Is the CCW trend growing as fast where you live as it seems to be around here? I hope so, because like I said, I’d find that encouraging.:)
 
There was only one class in our county when I took it for my license five years ago. And it was full. Some humans drove a ways to take it.
I just renewed and the thought of it stuck in my mind as I saw four different signs advertising for CPL classes on the way to the court house.
There are at least seven full time type programs in my hundred mile area now.
I happened into one of the (Instructors) that run a class at a banquet just recently and he is booked till Sept and is competing for timeslots on the range.

All of which I find comforting.:)
 
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Here in Florida, CWFL classes are held everywhere all the time. But you need to remember that, depending on who you believe, we have either 19,000 folks moving here every month or 1,000 per DAY and so the requests are numerous. One place where I just moved away from held classes 2X per wekk, and they were always full.

What was nice to see was that most of the folks taking the classes and shooting at the indoor range were retired folks
 
When I was still living in Tennessee there were a number of gun shops in town that ran classes at least once a month. There were other classes offered by other instructors advertising all the time in the local print media. Since I've been living in Florida I've noticed ads by gun shops and others offering carry classes. I'd be curious how many people with carry permits there are in the US, probably more than the anti-gun crowd would like to be known publicly.
 
Here in AZ, you don't need to have a CCW permit anymore. Most stupid change to the law. Prior, you took the class, had yourself fingerprinted sent proof of class completion and fingerprint card with the fee and waited 3 weeks for your card, good for 5 years.

Now that isn't required, just buy a gun and carry....There is no requirement for approved carry. There is no periodic review of changed / new laws, court cases covering CCW and self protection, no when to shoot and when not to, what is a good shoot and waht is not. I know there are those here that disagree and say it is up to the individual to get this info and they don't need someone telling them what thay can and can not do because the 2nd ammendment guarantees them the right. It has been my experience that most people do not pursue this information and try to learn other than from the internet, which is the most idiotic dangerous way to learn anythin legal. Everyone has an opinion and just can't wait to tell it.

Constitutional carry is correct, but having the proper legal issues explained by someone that makes a living keeping up, yes a lawyer, is better. The state assoc. has the approved carry training which I took years ago, and I review it periodically for my currency.

In Aug, I'll mail in my $45 for renewal (3rd time) and all will be good. I wonder if the guy next to me has any training other than seeing how fast he can unload his Glock with the trigger?

Now you know my opinion; but I waited for someone to ask first.
 
In Virginia, the required training can be taken online. Or, there's a mobile classroom (large trailer) course that's available at major gun shows. In neither case is live-fire training included or required. Although some question the value of training without hands-on live fire, the fewer impediments the better. (The antigun governor would change that. So far he doesn't have an antigun majority in the legislature.)

In Virginia, the big drawback to a concealed carry permit is not the training requirement, but the fact that the license is entered into the police data base, and is available to any officer at any traffic stop, etc. But open carry is legal without a permit.
 
Is it growing in Idaho? I'm not too sure about that since ID a few years ago passed the law that residents do not need a permit to carry concealed. Since I do not require a state issued permit, the only anecdotal knowledge is when I travel into Pocatello for shopping and I usually hit the local CAL ranch store and/sportsman's warehouse and I see the signs posted for concealed weapons classes and take a casual note on how many days are listed for classes. From looking at these flyers over the past few years it appears to me there are less dates posted. Does this mean less people or does it mean just larger classes? Not sure. Remember, this is anecdotal and related to my memory of something that does not personally pertain to me.

I have talked with a few people, who would require a permit to travel out of state, and many do appear to at least get the ID standard permit and from talking with these people (and also having some friends who are deputies), just a basic weapons course is all that is needed; in other words no training is required. However, I'll honestly say and probably get flamed for it, but the local training requirements most states require for concealed weapons classes are just, 'better than nothing."
 
No class required in GA. Fill out paperwork, pay fee, get background check, then after a couple of weeks pick up permit. Our permit is recognized by any state where I'd travel. If there were a required class it might mean 2-3 more states would recognize GA's permits.
 
The once a month classes at the indoor range I frequent are usually full. Class size 34. Most of the gun shops around here offer CCP classes on a regular basis.
 
Years ago in Ohio there was small storefronts used for classes, signs in front yards for the guy who does it in his basement and every gun store held classes. A lot of the storefront types were busted for having people shoot airsoft or pellet guns in the basements, so they were shut down.

Within about 5 counties around me there aren't many gun stores because either Cabelas, Gander mountain or a large chain of mom and pop stores put them out of business and neither of the 3 offer classes. The only places I know of within 2-3 counties of me are the guys who run it front their basement or rent a hunt club or party center. That's maybe 3 places.
 
PWC said:
Here in AZ, you don't need to have a CCW permit anymore. Most stupid change to the law. Prior, you took the class, had yourself fingerprinted sent proof of class completion and fingerprint card with the fee and waited 3 weeks for your card, good for 5 years.

Now that isn't required, just buy a gun and carry....There is no requirement for approved carry. There is no periodic review of changed / new laws, court cases covering CCW and self protection, no when to shoot and when not to, what is a good shoot and waht is not. I know there are those here that disagree and say it is up to the individual to get this info and they don't need someone telling them what thay can and can not do because the 2nd ammendment guarantees them the right. It has been my experience that most people do not pursue this information and try to learn other than from the internet, which is the most idiotic dangerous way to learn anythin legal. Everyone has an opinion and just can't wait to tell it.

Constitutional carry is correct, but having the proper legal issues explained by someone that makes a living keeping up, yes a lawyer, is better. The state assoc. has the approved carry training which I took years ago, and I review it periodically for my currency.

In Aug, I'll mail in my $45 for renewal (3rd time) and all will be good. I wonder if the guy next to me has any training other than seeing how fast he can unload his Glock with the trigger?

Now you know my opinion; but I waited for someone to ask first.
Click to expand...

Freedom is sometimes dangerous, but it is a far sight better than the alternative.
 
RETG said:
Is it growing in Idaho? I'm not too sure about that since ID a few years ago passed the law that residents do not need a permit to carry concealed.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I probably should have titled this thread differently. Instead of asking if CCW classes are becoming more popular “where you live,” I should have asked if carrying a firearm is becoming more popular “where you live.” I was thinking that an increase in the size and number of CCW classes might indicate that more people are carrying firearms nowadays. If more people are carrying nowadays, I’m enthused.:)

And yes, you are right – Idaho no longer requires a permit for concealed carry by Idaho residents. They passed that law shortly after my wife and I renewed our Idaho “Standard” CCW Permits last time. But before we renew later on this year, my wife and I are going to take the required class for Idaho “Enhanced” CCW Permits. Even though we’re both retired, we still have ties with Idaho State University in Pocatello, and end up on campus there every once in a while. As you probably know, an Idaho “Enhanced” CCW Permit is still required for legal carry on Idaho’s university and college campuses.

RETG said:
However, I'll honestly say and probably get flamed for it, but the local training requirements most states require for concealed weapons classes are just, 'better than nothing."
Click to expand...
Actually (and you probably know this too) in order to get an Idaho “Standard” CCW Permit, which has reciprocity with quite a few states, a person doesn’t need a so-called “class” at all. I got mine because I’m a Navy Veteran and had some 40 years hunting experience. My wife got hers because she shot sanctioned handgun (IHMSA) competition for a few years, and had some 30 years hunting experience. My dad got his because he taught Idaho Hunter Safety classes for a few years, and had some 50 years hunting experience.

But I'm fine with people legally carrying firearms without a government required class. I hope everyone that does carry a firearm at least has some rudimentary safety training, but I agree with Sistema1927:
Sistema1927 said:
Freedom is sometimes dangerous, but it is a far sight better than the alternative.
Click to expand...
 
In Virginia you can take an online course, hunter safety course or any one of the numerous classes offered by local ranges and LGS's.

I chose a online hunter safety course because I occassionally hunt and I was curious to see what had changed, if anything, since 20+ years ago. My wife chose the online CHP course. Ironically my course took 2hrs a night for a whole week, hers she finished in about a 2hr session.

I wouldnt mind taking in person courses but the cost is pretty ridiculous IMO versus something online. And i personally dont feel you're going to learn anything you can't learn from online sources or books (which we have a couple of).

Now actual defensive, or dare I say "tactical" courses are a different story.

I also dont think there should be any requirement to carry a gun, although I agree folks should seek out basic firearm handling and shooting instruction in one fashion or another.

I'm in the group of "freedom can be dangerous but it's better than the alternative ".
 
Buzznrose said:
Based on this thread, I went to the USCCA website and was looking up percentage of population with a CC license. My home state of TX was sadly towards the back at 4.75%

FL was rocking at almost 10% until I looked at UT. Great Salt Lake, Batman! over 22% of the population in UT has a CHL!

https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/resources/ccw_reciprocity_map/ut-gun-laws/
Click to expand...
I think that may be a bit misleading. Utah issues quite a number of non-resident permits, as does Florida, so that may skew the percentages listed. I had a Florida in the past before NM had CCW, and presently have an AZ in addition to my NM resident permit. I have considered getting a UT permit as well.
 
I had to wait almost two months to get a class for my renewal last year. And that was *after* we got Constitutional Carry and don't have to have them any more.

I renewed just in case I had cause to leave my state; any place I'd be likely to go will recognize my CHCL.
 
Good Ol' Boy said:
my course took 2hrs a night for a whole week ... I wouldnt mind taking in person courses but the cost is pretty ridiculous IMO versus something online. And i personally dont feel you're going to learn anything you can't learn from online sources or books (which we have a couple of).
Click to expand...

The course is eight hours here, with a range requirement, and requires a state-certified instructor who must cover a specific series of topics. Almost all of this was driven by anti-gun elements of the legislature, trying to raise the bar for a license.

It's annoying, but we no longer need a license in our own state, and the rather stringent requirements mean that if you get one, it's recognized by 37 other states, some of which won't reciprocate without a specific number of hours of training, etc.
 
TRX said:
I had to wait almost two months to get a class for my renewal last year. And that was *after* we got Constitutional Carry and don't have to have them any more.

I renewed just in case I had cause to leave my state; any place I'd be likely to go will recognize my CHCL.
Click to expand...

Sorry to hear about your wait time to get a class – that must have been a hassle. But that’s the point I was clumsily trying to make when I started this thread.:)

Idaho has also gone permitless carry in most places, but I find it encouraging that the class our daughter and her fiancé took in Idaho Falls was completely filled with 48 students, and it was booked up until sometime in June. I thought it would be fun for my wife and I to take the class along with our daughter and her fiancé, but no such luck – the class was full by the time I called.

I’m not saying whether or not I’m in favor or CCW classes, but they exist. And to me, it’s encouraging that so many people (around here anyway) seem to be taking them – even though they are not required to legally carry a concealed weapon in most places. And I hope it sticks in the craws of the anti-rights jerks every time they hear about another person that just might be legally carrying a gun.:D

BTW - I love my home state of Idaho, but I don't consider it to be a truly "Constitutional Carry" state. It's more like a "Permitless Carry" state for Idaho residents. Because without permits, only Idaho residents can legally carry here, and an Idaho "Enhanced" CCW Permit is required for legal carry on Idaho's college and university campuses.
 
We provide the service of doing the online applications for those who have completed their certification or recertification classes plus the same for those getting or renewing their Firearms Owners Identification Card. Total of these averages twenty a day so for a metro area of a quarter million I'd say there are a lot of folks doing it. We have a bunch of instructors in the area. (Peoria, IL)
 
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