Only speaking to the cost issue, I would voice that over here in Missouri, I paid $125 for the permit application/background checks to the local police. Average class cost for a 1 day class, including 140 rounds of ammo seems to run $125-150, and they book up several months in advance. I only paid $50 because I did it through the club where I am a member, but provided my own ammo and guns.
After sitting through the class, I can honestly say that I am glad it is required. Yes I am huge supported of constitutional rights. At the same time if training reduces incidents that bring bad PR to all gun owners, I am all for it.
Primarily I suppose I am saying that although the cost and training requirements are a little steep, it does not seem terrible. Cannot comment on the other aspects.
16 hours of classroom is a bit much. If you look at what the bill requires, for training, I see maybe 5-6 hours of material tops, and that's if I stretch it out. I could put students through a series of dry fire practicals, and stretch it some more.. but by the 9th or 10th hour I'm going to run out of things to talk about. I will cover the laws, but giving legal advice is not allowed so 'what if' questions will have to be carefully addressed.
The requirements of the class follow:
(b) An applicant for a new license shall provide proof of
16 completion of a firearms training course or combination of
17 courses approved by the Department of at least 16 hours, which
18 includes range qualification time under subsection (c) of this
19 Section, that covers the following:
20 (1) firearm safety;
21 (2) the basic principles of marksmanship;
22 (3) care, cleaning, loading, and unloading of a
23 concealable firearm;
24 (4) all applicable State and federal laws relating to
25 the ownership, storage, carry, and transportation of a
1 firearm; and
2 (5) instruction on the appropriate and lawful
3 interaction with law enforcement while transporting or
4 carrying a concealed firearm.
#1 I can MAYBE stretch to two hours, max.
#2 I can do in 2 hours, max, if I use the NRA guidelines, do practicals, etc.
#3 Cleaning? I can't do a 2 hour presentation on cleaning. Maybe 1 hour?
#4 Laws can be covered in a couple of hours, with Q&A. Remember I'm not a lawyer and can't offer legal advice, so I have to tread very carefully on deadly force.
#5 is a 2 minute lecture. "If the cop asks if you have a concealed firearm, you have a duty to inform."
Throw in the range live fire and this is an 8 hour course.
Not sure WHAT I would fill in the second day with. Strategy and tactics?