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Originally Posted by ChrisJericho
I applied for my concealed pistol license today. In Washington state the process is very simple, you sign some papers saying you're not a felon, they run a background check and finger print you, and then you get the permit in the mail in a couple of weeks.
The process took about 30 minutes, it would have been much faster if there was more one than one finger printing machine. If there was no one else in front of me in the line it likely would have taken about 15 minutes.
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Mmm, a story of Washington state. But just that state. In the state of Virginia, for example, you have to attend hours of classroom training from a state-certified instructor (topics include safety, carry laws, when you can shoot, what to do after a shooting), meet the minimum score on the range (shooting and reloading from standing and kneeling at a man-sized target at various ranges). The shooting portion is a similar test to that of police department firearms qualification and can hardly be called difficult. In fact, you could say that those who cannot complete such a basic test should not be allowed to carry a lethal weapon because they're too fumblefucked or too physically feeble. I don't want John Q. Citizen out there with a CCW and packing a .45 if he can't pass a test that some sweaty-palmed potbelly police recruit can manage to pass after a few goes with the remedial marksmanship training guy.
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Originally Posted by ChrisJericho
I agree with what some others have said in that there should absolutely not be any shooting tests to get a permit. There are already multiple police agencies in my area that actively try in the political arena to disarm citizens.
If law enforcement officials such as this were given the power to force citizens to pass target shooting exams in order to get a permit (in Washington state you apply for your permit at the local sheriff or city police agency), I wouldn't be surprised if they designed tests with extremely high standards, likely ones that their own officers would have a hard time meeting. This is somewhat hypothetical, but I would prefer not giving them the power and therefore leaving the question unanswered.
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You should check out the requirements of other states. They're very reasonable. I'd even suggest that they're just as reasonable as taking a driving test at the DMV: to make sure you know what you're doing with a lethal weapon. Credentials don't mean dick unless some qualification is involved.
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Originally Posted by ChrisJericho
The thing that bothered me the most however was the fingerprinting. It made me feel like a criminal just for wanting to protect myself and others. I know of at least a few people that have held off on getting a permit due to the fingerprinting because they "don't want to be in the system." Even though it bothered me, it was a sacrifice I was willing to make.
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I'm curious, what tinfoil hat squad fears does fingerprinting evoke in you? You're young, white, and incredibly average, no?
Google has more information on you than the cops do. That doesn't stop people from using their search engine or browser or email.
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Originally Posted by KirStang
How many of you have taken basic gun courses at a shooting school? How many of you felt at least some improvement after taking the course, either in terms of legal knowledge or shooting ability? I know I improved. Hence, I feel like courses are valuable in that regard.
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Nice seg. The instructor-led "tactical" training I've taken has been extremely valuable. It allows you to practice performing under stress (ooo, other people are watching!) as well as introducing you to new techniques. I thought I was a decent shooter until I took a few pistol classes.