Ok, I'll never get a CCW where I live, but I'm considering taking a CCW course anyway. Is this reasonable? I have no training beyond the NRA basic pistol course, and my purpose in taking a course would be to learn defensive pistol skills. My main concern is training I get now won't be recognized by the time CA goes shall-issue (hey it could happen) or I just move out-of-state. And like any good training, it costs a good chunk of change. Thoughts, questions, opinions?
Training worth it even if you can't CCW?
- Thread starter Telperion
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FPrice
Member
Opinion
My (not so) humble opinion?
ANY training which teaches you to be a safer and better shooter or gun owner is not wasted. Maybe you can't carry concealed now, but if you learn some skills which will stay with you and serve you somewhere down the road then by all means do it. The more you learn (from competant instructors) the better you will be in the end.
Just do it.
My (not so) humble opinion?
ANY training which teaches you to be a safer and better shooter or gun owner is not wasted. Maybe you can't carry concealed now, but if you learn some skills which will stay with you and serve you somewhere down the road then by all means do it. The more you learn (from competant instructors) the better you will be in the end.
Just do it.
Absolutely a good idea.
First, as Frosty said, anything that makes you a safer and better shooter is an asset.
Second, training is just plain fun. You'll see what I mean after you've taken a good class. It can be downright addictive to watch your shooting skills improve and your confidence level increase. It is interesting to talk to other shooters who are doing the same thing. Listen to their stories; there's a lot of collective wisdom hanging around in some of those shooting classes, just waiting for you to come around and pick it up.
Further, you don't know what might happen in the future. As you said, maybe you'll move out of state, or maybe Cali laws will change so that you may legally carry. You don't need a CCW in order to protect your home if someone breaks in, but you would need tactical and shooting skills in that instance. And if there is widespread civil disturbance, it may be that you weigh the options and decide to risk unlawful carry rather than obey a law that could get you killed when the risks are high.
Go for it.
pax
I was born not knowing and have had only a little time to change that here and there. -- Richard Feynman
First, as Frosty said, anything that makes you a safer and better shooter is an asset.
Second, training is just plain fun. You'll see what I mean after you've taken a good class. It can be downright addictive to watch your shooting skills improve and your confidence level increase. It is interesting to talk to other shooters who are doing the same thing. Listen to their stories; there's a lot of collective wisdom hanging around in some of those shooting classes, just waiting for you to come around and pick it up.
Further, you don't know what might happen in the future. As you said, maybe you'll move out of state, or maybe Cali laws will change so that you may legally carry. You don't need a CCW in order to protect your home if someone breaks in, but you would need tactical and shooting skills in that instance. And if there is widespread civil disturbance, it may be that you weigh the options and decide to risk unlawful carry rather than obey a law that could get you killed when the risks are high.
Go for it.
pax
I was born not knowing and have had only a little time to change that here and there. -- Richard Feynman
Ditto.
Just do it for the fun and knowledge you'll gain.
Plus YOUR hard earned money will be going to another hard working shooter.
If we don't take advantage of these classes when we can, we run the risk of there being no classes later.
Let us know what you decide, and if you take the class, let us know all about it.
Just do it for the fun and knowledge you'll gain.
Plus YOUR hard earned money will be going to another hard working shooter.
If we don't take advantage of these classes when we can, we run the risk of there being no classes later.
Let us know what you decide, and if you take the class, let us know all about it.
El Tejon
Member
Education is something not even the Kaliban in your capitol can take from you (although I'm sure your county is trying).
I trained thoughout grad skul, in cities where I was not even "allowed" to possess firearms. Gee, forgot to obey those laws.
I trained thoughout grad skul, in cities where I was not even "allowed" to possess firearms. Gee, forgot to obey those laws.
Denny Hansen
Member
Ditto the above. Don't worry about what the requirements for a CCW may or may not be. Chances are good that you'll get much more from a good instructor now than a 12-16 hr. CCW class. Any training you'll be required to take for a CCL will only supplement what you can receive now.
Denny
Denny
HBK
member
You can never have enough training. Once you start, just keep honing your skills and you'll be better than you ever dreamed. I thought I was a good shooter until I took my first course. I sucked. Now I'm decent, with much more to learn. I plan on taking as many courses as I can. It's kind of a life long process...or should be.
As an alternative
Any training that improves your weapon handling, situational awareness, or defensive combat skills is good training. However, if the $$ for formalized training is a concern there is another alternative. Find yourself a IDPA club in your area. The cost of membership is usually low and you can learn alot from experienced members and through competing in the matches yourself. Improving skills by shooting courses of fire that simulate potentially life-threatening situations is what IDPA is all about.
LD
Any training that improves your weapon handling, situational awareness, or defensive combat skills is good training. However, if the $$ for formalized training is a concern there is another alternative. Find yourself a IDPA club in your area. The cost of membership is usually low and you can learn alot from experienced members and through competing in the matches yourself. Improving skills by shooting courses of fire that simulate potentially life-threatening situations is what IDPA is all about.
LD
10-Ring
Member
Any training that can help you in a defensive situation is worth while.
MicroBalrog
member
Good for you!
There's never such a thing as too much skill.
There's never such a thing as too much skill.
Al Thompson
Moderator Emeritus
One of our local CWP trainers is a grad of SIG Arms. He gives them high marks - I suspect you've spent your money well. Remember to give us a report!
Pipsqueak, I am also from the Bay Area and am disgusted with the CCW status here. Don't hold your breath for it to change though in this area. Other counties here in CA issue fairly, but not the liberal Bay Area.
As to training, you don't have to look too far for quality trainers. You have Walt Marshall of www.awt-co.com (Advanced Weapons & Training) and also a group out of Concord (HALO, I believe, if it's still called that). In addition, Don Lazzerini of Santa Clara PD may also still give classes. (I don't know his contact info, perhaps someone in the know can pipe in) There are IDPA affiliated clubs at Richmond Rod and Gun Club and also Castro Valley Gun Club. Both run great matches.
EricO
As to training, you don't have to look too far for quality trainers. You have Walt Marshall of www.awt-co.com (Advanced Weapons & Training) and also a group out of Concord (HALO, I believe, if it's still called that). In addition, Don Lazzerini of Santa Clara PD may also still give classes. (I don't know his contact info, perhaps someone in the know can pipe in) There are IDPA affiliated clubs at Richmond Rod and Gun Club and also Castro Valley Gun Club. Both run great matches.
EricO
Grump
Member
This is preparation/training advise, NOT legal advise.
A. Get the training if you can schedule and afford it. If the $$ is a problem, read the books and practice as if you were getting a CCW. Keep some records of how you do. It's all evidence in your favor, well-trained and so forth.
B. Take the training in Nevada and get a non-resident CCW. There's some one-way reciprocity from NV to several other states, and as long as you're not carrying in bars and casinos (and schools, IIRC
), you're okay. The class will clarify all that.
C. Once you've done either A. or B., you will be well-prepared in the event that the systems and governments fail, and you have good and prudent reasons to "break" that law to save you own life. You'll need legal advise on this. Get it.
A. Get the training if you can schedule and afford it. If the $$ is a problem, read the books and practice as if you were getting a CCW. Keep some records of how you do. It's all evidence in your favor, well-trained and so forth.
B. Take the training in Nevada and get a non-resident CCW. There's some one-way reciprocity from NV to several other states, and as long as you're not carrying in bars and casinos (and schools, IIRC
), you're okay. The class will clarify all that.C. Once you've done either A. or B., you will be well-prepared in the event that the systems and governments fail, and you have good and prudent reasons to "break" that law to save you own life. You'll need legal advise on this. Get it.
TRLaye
Member
Pipsqueak,
Definately take all the training you can get. It doesn't matter whether it's stick, knife, rifle, shotgun or handgun. All of them teach you decision making, performance under stress and thinking outside the box.
In the San Jose Bay Area besides the training already mentioned you can attend training by TFTT in Sacramento, Greg Hamilton's Insights in Sacramento, Gabe Suarez's Suarez International or Total Tactical Training in Sacramento. It's an easy two hour drive to the site of those classes.
BayProfs (www.bayprofs.org) in San Jose Bay Area just hosted a Jim Crews (Marksman's Enterprise) Instructor Development class and will be hosting additional classes in the future.
You can participate in IDPA competitions in Richmond and at the Chabot Gun Club in Hayward for some aspects of training. You don't have to compete as a gamesman. These folks are trying to be realistic in their scenarios.
And spend time daydreaming (what if scenarios). That alone can improve your response time as you're not totally reinventing the wheel as you react to a situation. You will already BTDT (at least in mind).
Always go for the training.
Tom
Definately take all the training you can get. It doesn't matter whether it's stick, knife, rifle, shotgun or handgun. All of them teach you decision making, performance under stress and thinking outside the box.
In the San Jose Bay Area besides the training already mentioned you can attend training by TFTT in Sacramento, Greg Hamilton's Insights in Sacramento, Gabe Suarez's Suarez International or Total Tactical Training in Sacramento. It's an easy two hour drive to the site of those classes.
BayProfs (www.bayprofs.org) in San Jose Bay Area just hosted a Jim Crews (Marksman's Enterprise) Instructor Development class and will be hosting additional classes in the future.
You can participate in IDPA competitions in Richmond and at the Chabot Gun Club in Hayward for some aspects of training. You don't have to compete as a gamesman. These folks are trying to be realistic in their scenarios.
And spend time daydreaming (what if scenarios). That alone can improve your response time as you're not totally reinventing the wheel as you react to a situation. You will already BTDT (at least in mind).
Always go for the training.
Tom
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