Online gun class? Whats the catch?

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chevyman097

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http://www.onlinegunclass.com/texas.php
Link is to an online gun class

Anyone seen this?

Some one I know(close) showed this to me and was really excited and wanted to do it, thinking its a cheaper easier way out of taking a local class.

I just dont feel right about it. Just a feeling I dunno. I dont want them to get scammed or illegally carry by mistake. I dont know anything about it so I dont feel I can truthfully talk them out of it without the right information.

I just think the local class is the best way to go.

Can anyone help me out? Do yall have any info on this?
 
The course isn't for a Texas CHL. It's for a Virginia nonresident permit, which TX will apparently recognize under their reciprocity agreement with VA, even for a TX resident.
 
What is there to say? It looks legal; Virginia law specifically recognizes online courses. I'm not sure Texas really means to recognize VA nonresident permits held by their own residents, but the way the reciprocity agreement is worded, it looks as though they do. Of course, this could change.

I think you are far better off taking a course in person from a live instructor, however.

I do wonder about the credentials of the online course instructor. VA law recognizes "any firearms training or safety course or class, including an electronic, video, or on-line course, conducted by a state-certified or National Rifle Association-certified firearms instructor." Now, maybe the instructor is "state-certified"; if so, all's well. But if he's an NRA-certified instructor, there's a problem: The NRA takes a very dim view of online training. They believe very firmly in the importance of face-to-face, interactive training, and they do not permit their certified instructors to use their NRA titles or certification in connection with online courses. So one wonders how an NRA-certified instructor could issue a course-completion certificate which meets the requirements of VA law without referencing his NRA credentials.
 
Mods can delete this thread. I came to a resolution with the person of topic.

I would still love to get info on this web site though if the mods would like to continue this discussion under a new topic let me know.
 
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Virginia has had pretty lax requirements since we passed shall issue.

Part the reason for shall issue was various city and county judges refusing to issue ANY permits, and using 'lack of training' as an excuse.

So far there has not been 'blood in the streets' as predicted by the left.
 
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My question would be addressed to those considering taking this class: WHY?

If you want to carry for protection, great. However it seems to me that taking an online ccw class is somewhat akin to buying a driver's license at Sears. You might have the permit, but are you trained in the legal ramifications of using your weapon, and have you received the very minimal training required under the law?

Just sayin ........
 
If you want to carry for protection, great. However it seems to me that taking an online ccw class is somewhat akin to buying a driver's license at Sears. You might have the permit, but are you trained in the legal ramifications of using your weapon, and have you received the very minimal training required under the law?
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Well, many/most of us don't feel that a training class should be required to exercise a right (after all, many states have no such requirement), so the cheapest, quickest, and most convenient way to cross that hurdle appeals to many.

Now, training itself can be a VERY good thing, and sometimes you find yourself in the happy coincidence where required CCW training actually imparts some useful and correct information, but it seems that might be the exception rather than the rule.
 
while training is a good thing, generally a "mandatory minimum" class is NOT good training, it is just a rubber stamp exercise.

I see little difference between an online course and the one I was required to take, which was essentially:
1- a guided reading of the AG's handbook
2- a "introduction to handguns" booklet
3- 2 hours of range time, split among over 20 students on a 5-lane range

This was the GOOD class in the area, and it was still a complete waste of time for anyone capable of reading and doing some casual shooting at a large target at various distances.

Mandatory training will ALWAYS default to the bare minimum
Requiring training to utilize a fundamental right is an infringement
A responsible citizen will seek out training above and beyond any CC class on their own
An irresponsible person will still be irresponsible after any amount of training
 
have you received the very minimal training required under the law?
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http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+18.2-308
G. The court shall require proof that the applicant has demonstrated competence with a handgun and the applicant may demonstrate such competence by one of the following, but no applicant shall be required to submit to any additional demonstration of competence, nor shall any proof of demonstrated competence expire:

1. Completing any hunter education or hunter safety course approved by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries or a similar agency of another state;

2. Completing any National Rifle Association firearms safety or training course;

3. Completing any firearms safety or training course or class available to the general public offered by a law-enforcement agency, junior college, college, or private or public institution or organization or firearms training school utilizing instructors certified by the National Rifle Association or the Department of Criminal Justice Services;

4. Completing any law-enforcement firearms safety or training course or class offered for security guards, investigators, special deputies, or any division or subdivision of law enforcement or security enforcement;

5. Presenting evidence of equivalent experience with a firearm through participation in organized shooting competition or current military service or proof of an honorable discharge from any branch of the armed services;

6. Obtaining or previously having held a license to carry a firearm in the Commonwealth or a locality thereof, unless such license has been revoked for cause;

7. Completing any firearms training or safety course or class, including an electronic, video, or on-line course, conducted by a state-certified or National Rifle Association-certified firearms instructor;

8. Completing any governmental police agency firearms training course and qualifying to carry a firearm in the course of normal police duties; or

9. Completing any other firearms training which the court deems adequate.
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even before "including an electronic, video, or on-line course," was added at #7, there was never a lot of training.

See #1 "Completing any hunter education or hunter safety course approved by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries or a similar agency of another state."


The course is about general firearm safety, not shooting, not the law.

Virginia has NO statute law for the use of lethal force (not even for the police).

It is all common (case) law.

We have a very good set of laws though, and a court system that does not tolerate much BS.
Like civil suites if you are shot breaking the law (though an explicit statute would be nice).

When the state legislature took up a statute law for 'stand your ground' (AKA 'no duty to retreat') it was stopped since we already have this protection under the common law, and the legislature does not want to disturb it in any way.
 
If the OP and the mods. will allow, I'd like to print this off and see if I can get an answer from the Texas DPS folks I know. Hopefully I can find/ask the right Ranger or Trooper or possibly a legal type, and get a definitive answer.
 
Sam, I agree that it's not a good idea to require training in order to exercise our Constitutional rights, but I do know several guys who have CCW permits, and frankly I'm a little concerned whenever I'm out with them, just in case they ever decide to pull their guns for any reason. None of these guys can hit the broad side of a barn at 20 paces, and I sure wouldn't want to be in front of them, or beside them for that matter, if any of them had to use their weapons. I DO think some form of training, weapons familiarization, SOMETHING, should be required in order to carry concealed, I don't have the answer, but I think it's dangerous to have what amounts to untrained people out there carrying concealed weapons.

I wholeheartedly support 2A efforts, but I do think there needs to be some kind of training for people who don't practice on a regular basis and who can't use their weapon as an extension of themselves.
 
I wholeheartedly support 2A efforts, but I do think there needs to be some kind of training for people who don't practice on a regular basis and who can't use their weapon as an extension of themselves.
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[cheap shot]You mean like COPS?[/cheap shot] :D I certainly jest, there, but who gives anyone the power to say that someone may not exercise their RIGHTS because they aren't proficient enough?

If they harm someone, they'll have to face the legal consequences.

BUT THE TRUTH IS: Many states have no such requirement and yet there is no "blood in the streets" from these untrained goobers hosing down innocent bystanders. This is one of those concerns (like allowing people to carry in bars) that SOUNDS dangerous to society and yet doesn't actually seem to BE any actualized social harm, at all.
 
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I certainly jest, there, but who gives anyone the power to say that someone may not exercise their RIGHTS because they aren't proficient enough?
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I wonder if those with speech impediments have a right to free speech?
 
I'm a little concerned whenever I'm out with them, just in case they ever decide to pull their guns for any reason. None of these guys can hit the broad side of a barn at 20 paces, and I sure wouldn't want to be in front of them, or beside them for that matter, if any of them had to use their weapons. I DO think some form of training, weapons familiarization, SOMETHING, should be required in order to carry concealed, I don't have the answer,
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if you're such an expert, offer them training

ny states have no such requirement and yet there is no "blood in the streets" from these untrained goobers hosing down innocent bystanders. This is one of those concerns (like allowing people to carry in bars) that SOUNDS dangerous to society and yet doesn't actually seem to BE any actualized social harm, at all.
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or you could just give your friends the same benefit of the doubt we all extend to you
 
My wife and i have wanted to take a cpl class here in michigan pretty much since they started doing them. But we just never really had the time or money to do so. Basically $500 for the two of us to get our license. And then $120 to renew every 5 years. Now i have nothing against training but if i can get a license from another state for a much cheaper rate i could use that extra money for a real handgun training coarse in self defence instead of the one required for the permit. We r finally taking the class next week but from what everyone has told us the shoooting part is going to he pretty much a joke (for lack of better words) for us. For we both have been shoooting pretty much since we have been walking. Not saying this would be an avinue i would take. But if it wasnt for the fact i just dropped $240 last night to sign up i would at least look into the idea. Now i also am not saying this is not money well spent but living in indiana with the $20 permit sure spoiled us...
 
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