Class - Day 2

[solareclipse2]

Because I am both dumb and lazy, sometimes simultaneously, when my CCL was set to expire in 2019 I didn't make the time to take a renewal class. There were plenty available just none when it was convenient or close to me. 

 

I recently decided to find a day 2 class that would get me back to where I need to be, given my prior credits. Shoot Point Blank offered the day 2 only class for $99 plus tax and their website is super confusing about what you're getting but it turns out you're just dropping into the 2nd day of a full 16 hour class already in progress.

 

We did the shooting qual first thing in the morning. I was one of two or three people in the class who had to rent a firearm and the instructor hapented to ask if I knew what I wanted to rent. It raised an eyebrow when I responded with either a P226 or P229 Legion. The firearm rental was included in the class, the $26 box of 9mm was not. We got a warm up target and two real targets; one to put at 10 yards and 7 yards, and one to send out to 5 yards. Upon suggestion from the instructor we sent the warm up targets out to 10 yards and sent 10 rounds down range. I kept all 10 inside the 9 ring. As I was bringing it in that caught the attention of some folks around me. From what I can see the majority of the group put their rounds all over the silhouette. I can't tell if they were just doing that because that's all they needed or if that's just the best they could do. We charged our magazines again, hung first real target, sent it to 10 yards, did the needful. For the sake of brevity I did the same for all 30 of my qualification shots.  My classmates, not so much. There was one girl who had some ridiculously long fake fingernails who struggled with her shooting qualification and didn't come back to the class for at least another 10 minutes after us. I'm not sure what happened with her except it seems as though she satisfied the requirement. 

 

After shooting we went back go class and the instructor started going through his presentation. The good news is that having done this with two different instructors now at two different facilities I can say that no matter who is teaching this is some absolutely boring material.

 

I joined some other students at lunch to find out that I was literally the only person in class with any actual experience with firearms. Most of these folks had FOID cards and that's it. Some of them had bought guns but didn't really shoot them. None of them had ever taken any kind of training. Now, the instructor did not paint the picture that it was almost impossible to legally carry in IL because of no guns signs but that's what they took away from the section on prohibited places. I found it interesting because these people were from the SW Suburbs like Mokena, Orland Park, Tinley Park which are all places I've gone and found next to no gun busters signs. I honestly can't think of any place I've gone to that would have prevented me walking in with my gun on my hip. I on the other hand live on the South side of Chicago  and worked up North for a decade and unless it was a statutorily prohibited place I rarely ran into a business where I couldn't carry. They seemed to be particularly interested in forest preserves, and I was like "do you live in Cook county?" No. "Then it's not a problem". So of course they asked me what I do for protection in a forest preserve and I said jokingly, stay out of forest preserves. But the real answer is pepper spray. I carry it everywhere. Good discussions outside of the class and inside the class. 

 

Those are some of my observations. I just felt like sharing. 

[Euler]

On 10/12/2021 at 8:55 AM, solareclipse2 said:

... I was literally the only person in class with any actual experience with firearms. Most of these folks had FOID cards and that's it. ... it was almost impossible to legally carry in IL because of no guns signs but that's what they took away from the section on prohibited places. ...

 

As I've said in other threads, there were several people in my class who had never even seen a firearm in person before the instructor put a rental in their hands for the target qualification.

 

One thing I think would be absolutely worthwhile for students like that is to have a real firearm in the class as the instructor is talking about how firearms work on the first day. In my class, the instructors prohibited firearms in the classroom. I know of several other instructors who also prohibit firearms in their classrooms.

 

As for no Berettas, it depends where you spend your time. If your day is spent on public transportation and in government buildings, then you're not going to be able to carry anywhere. If drive your own car to private businesses, which you may own, then you can carry everywhere.

[Quiet Observer]

I think that the no firearms in class policy is a matter of safety. You have to  figure in the dumby factor. Even if the pre-class instructions would state "Unloaded Only", someone would bring in a loaded gun.  Then you have those people who automatically place their finger on the trigger when they pick up a gun. Ironically the only place available for a classroom session in some areas may be a posted venue. 

 

Some, supposedly, experienced shooters are just clutsy. At the renewal class I attended, 2 shooters were bitten by the slide on their pistols. 

 

I think it i normal to be a bit paranoic when you are first licensed. Five to six years ago we had a lot of posts debating minutia - printing, cops (especially Chicago)  can't wait to arrest us for the slightist infraction, knowingly, etc. For the most part most of our apprehensions have proven to be over done.

[spanishjames]

Shoot Point Blank uses real S&W pistols and revolvers, without firing pins.  Makes a huge difference when teaching newbies. 

 

I've seen students in CCL classes pull a handgun from their pocket,  holster, or bag, on day 1 of CCL class!  "Nobody told me I couldn't!"  It's clearly stated on the class sign up form, and on the classroom door. 

[Euler]

On 10/13/2021 at 4:45 PM, spanishjames said:

... without firing pins.  ...

 

This (or ground down)

 

[solareclipse2]

On 10/13/2021 at 3:45 PM, spanishjames said:

Shoot Point Blank uses real S&W pistols and revolvers, without firing pins. 

 

The instructor had one. He was the only one handling it. The class got green dummy 1911's for whenever they were handling. 

[spanishjames]

On 10/14/2021 at 7:55 AM, solareclipse2 said:

 

The instructor had one. He was the only one handling it. The class got green dummy 1911's for whenever they were handling. 

He should've at least given them all a chance to handle it.