Handgun Class, some General Observations

[DAdams]

Mod-please move as necessary.

I recently moved from FL to TN. TN requires an 8 hour course as one criteria to getting a "handgun permit", as the state calls it since it covers both concealed and open carry.

I took a voluntary similar course in FL a couple of years ago and it was 25 middle aged white males.

Roll forward to 2009.

This class of 18 consisted of two African American young males, and 16, 50 something white advanced age persons. Four were women the rest men. Their occupations ranged from ER Nurse to, Private Pilot, and including a Nuclear Physicist.
The parking lot for these attendees included Lexus, Infiniti, Mercedes, Audi's and an assortment of high end pickups and SUVs.
This class has been filled for 8 months, every Saturday and two nights per week. This is just one LGS that offers the qualifying course amongst many in the area.

I contemplated that the reason these (middle Americans) people were there was they have a lot to loose, personal defense and defense of personal property. It says a great deal about the unrest in today's society.

Just some thoughts and observations from a guy who had to get a new permit in another State.

It was well presented course and we got to put 50 rounds (48 required) downrange.

 

[Hungry Seagull]

Our class were about 20. We had old Vets, a few couples, some single females and a few males. Mostly middle age. (Surprise!) And some older coots who... came out of the hills to show us all how's done.

All did well in class and on the range.

Hmm.

Middle age. CCW... Middle age.. ccw...

I suppose any number of younger folks would have attended. But it was a sunday and a chance to rest/party or not exactly the time of month to be paying the class fees because of finances.

 

[Pistol Toter]

Yep, use'en Tenawseeans eer, Pistol Toters

Don't know where you are neighbor, but the class attendenance has been high, as you noted for several years and yet the Knoxville PD reported last week that crime was on the rise in our city. One only needs to listen to the morning news (local Ch8 is best in K-town) to see the daily and nightly robberies and shootings. Yesterday, the authorities, finally caught up to a 15 yr old that had shot a 19 yr old on Fifth Ave a week or so ago. The 15 yr old was /is already a felon; in that part of town go figure but it is the fact all over the city and county. Last fall a perp walked up on the carport in a nice neighborhood in W. Knoxville and robed an, as you say older couple, of their money and belonging. Their only crime was that they were unloading the groceries from the car, not paying attention to their surrounding (at their home) and not armed. To call the police is worthless; by the time they get there it is all over and all that is left to do is write up the incident. Some of us are taking the security for our lives and the lives of our loved ones back into our control. No one else is going to do it.

 

[DAdams]

One of the reasons I moved from FL to E. TN, Loudon County was to get away from the heavy increase in armed assaults, buglaries, car jackings, drug shooting and the increase of gang bangers in North Pinellas, South Pasco County. That and the cost of living, taxes, insurances and hurricanes. Obviously this is going on throughout the country and is endemic.

When I say middle aged I mean 40ish, somewhere between birth and 80. I was middle age by my own definition about 20 years ago. Most of the course attendees were 55+.

Channel 8 indeed in K'town.

To call the police is worthless; by the time they get there it is all over and all that is left to do is write up the incident. Some of us are taking the security for our lives and the lives of our loved ones back into our control. No one else is going to do it.

Our instructor was a 15 year veteran of LE and had a Masters Degree in Criminology from UT. Very level headed guy. Spoon fed/effectively taught us the course material which meant we were well prepped for the written exam.
No one in our class failed to pass both classroom or range sessions.

When I started coming to CCA range a few years back there was never a wait to shoot, now it seems every time I go there at least on Saturdays there is a backlog.

The one thing having the FL permit did. TN permit $50. Covers the ability to carry until the TN license shows up. Didn't have to go through finger printing as that is required by FL and I'm already in "the system".

I found it interesting that the instructor recommended presenting the handgun permit card over with the drivers license if required in a stop.

Other than that there wasn't much new or different.

I found it humerous though that despite TN is an open carry state....he didn't recommend going into a 7-11 at 2:00 am for a gallon of milk, holstered up.
Said something to the effect it might be a three hour shopping trip.

 

[kabrn]

welcome to tenn im in rutledge. ive had permit for many years, but i went with my wife a month ago and it was the same story. i also agree with channel 8

 

[Phatty]

I found it interesting that the instructor recommended presenting the handgun permit card over with the drivers license if required in a stop.

Did your instructor give a reason?

 

[Pistol Toter]

Did your instructor give a reason?

It's a very easy and unalarming way to inform the officer that you are likely armed and that he has nothing to be afraid off or alarmed about if he were to see "A GUN". It is not a requirement in the Tennessee to inform but often if you do the voice tone and demeanor of the officer changes. The best I can determine is that he realizes you are not neccesarily a bad guy or offender. If a man or women goes through the requirements and costs to secure that permit then you aren't a felon, or a habitual offender, and that you have some respect for the law and in surrendering that permit you respect him. Most times he will respect you. After all ain't that what it's all about? Respect. If we all respected each other crime would be at a minimum,

 

[hardluk1]

Time to reup for me in NC after i screwed up and let my paperwork run out( no up date here,) And glad i did . I had a very good instrutor and helpers that really get on you about carry stile and drawing your weapon quickly. Wanted all to be under 1.50 for draw on beep and shoot. We had ladys, younger guys, and couple older guys and gals, just a good mix of income and age. Good class although 9 hours long and feed us. Fired 50 rounds all draw and fire on the range too 1 person at a time for a while till he figure we would not shoot our selves then multi shots from draw.

 

[DAdams]

It's a very easy and unalarming way to inform the officer that you are likely armed and that he has nothing to be afraid off or alarmed about if he were to see "A GUN".

As Pistol Toter stated that was the gist of the reason. He also indicated that on the national information computer system, it is shown that one has a permit. Hence the officer will know sooner or later and he said they prefer to know sooner.

I have been stopped twice for infractions (no citations) and not "run" since getting my permit so I have no first hand knowledge to know how it might go down if one does not "declare". Both times I was lawfully carrying.

 

[hardluk1]

Where i live i manage to get in a licence check about 1 time a year so this is one place that you should let them know up front and half the time i have been on my bike when checked . Once told, i have not ever been asked anything more about the gun or carry'n or to see it. Last thing i want to do is suprise a officer so i will always be sure to let them know in person even if they have checked and allready know. Just shows your up front with them.

 

[hardluk1]

Disregard this one please