Bill to allow online LTC written course at Governor's desk

[txinvestigator]

I didn't know about this until I received my Law Shield newsletter. HB 3784 will allow an online 4 hour LTC course. One would still have to go to a licensed instructor for the firearm proficiency. There would be a difference there. A person who takes the online class would have to take at least one hour of shooting instruction before being permitted to qualify.

This is extremely interesting, and I cannot believe it received pretty much zero attention this year.

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/BillStages.aspx?LegSess=85R&Bill=HB3784

Click on the "text" tab to read the text of the bill.

 

[Nightwatch]

It'll hurt a lot of instructors who've worked hard to get the population somewhat educated and should get the credit for the fact that LTC carriers seldom mess up...I favor the classes for that reason. Easier for the applicant? Sure. I wonder how much they'll retain, though. I see folks who've been licensed for years who don't know some of the most basic laws regarding LTC.

 

[Bozz10mm]

I don't see much advantage to it. Is it less expensive? Less time consuming? I guess some folks can't find 6 hours on a weekend to take an LTC class?

4 hours on the computer and another hour for the shooting instruction, and another hour for the range qualification just seems like a lot more trouble and expense than a classroom, one time and you're done, course.

 

[Southpaw]

It'll hurt a lot of instructors who've worked hard to get the population somewhat educated and should get the credit for the fact that LTC carriers seldom mess up...I favor the classes for that reason. Easier for the applicant? Sure. I wonder how much they'll retain, though. I see folks who've been licensed for years who don't know some of the most basic laws regarding LTC.

There are states that simply require an application and a background check, do those states see any greater increase of unlawful use then Texas?

 

[DubiousDan]

I didn't know about this until I received my Law Shield newsletter. HB 3784 will allow an online 4 hour LTC course. One would still have to go to a licensed instructor for the firearm proficiency. There would be a difference there. A person who takes the online class would have to take at least one hour of shooting instruction before being permitted to qualify.

This is extremely interesting, and I cannot believe it received pretty much zero attention this year.

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/BillStages.aspx?LegSess=85R&Bill=HB3784

Click on the "text" tab to read the text of the bill.

Don't know how I did this. I didn't intend to reply to this.

 

[DubiousDan]

I have mixed feelings on this. I'd like the convenience of doing it at home but my class and renewals had a County ADA and a Judge as speakers and they gave valuable insights that I don't thing you could get online. The question and answer sessions were very informative.

 

[kotetu]

I think this is great. It should accelerate the adoption of LTC permits among the people. The in-person classes probably offer more than you can get in an online course, barring some innovation on the parts of the online instructors; live chat sessions maybe? Still, I knew most of what was being offered in person since I had already done a lot of my own research and over the years.

It might be that offering courses online will, by the nature of its added competition, spur in-person training to higher levels. I would be happy to see that happen.

The bottom line though is that we need to get more and more people to train above and beyond what the LTC standard is anyway - so the question really is how do we convince people to do that?

 

[wakal]

I would much rather spend time on the range rather than in the classroom, especially since that overpromoted driver's license clerk took over the DPS CHL program and went on her "four food groups" tirade and draconian "train to time, not to standard" rants. If this works out as it seems, now students can take her version of instruction and instructors will not have the liability for it.

 

[Charlie]

'Don't know how it will work out. But from what I saw when I took the class 21 years ago, several (or more) folks really, really, needed range time. Some had never shot a pistol before the class. I'd sure hate for the "unfamiliar with guns" people to screw up on the street and cause a problem for us all.

 

[easy rider]

Same here, mixed. I have had licenses from other states, so I felt certain I would pass with no problem, but each state is different and I liked having an instructor there to answer the questions I had at the time I wanted to know. It was also where I got my copy of Texas Law Shield which I'm very very glad I got.

 

[kotetu]

'Don't know how it will work out. But from what I saw when I took the class 21 years ago, several (or more) folks really, really, needed range time. Some had never shot a pistol before the class. I'd sure hate for the "unfamiliar with guns" people to screw up on the street and cause a problem for us all.

This does not eliminate range qualification, which must be handled by a certified instructor. Just the classroom portion is changed.

Again, how do we go about convincing everyone to get more training after they've been licensed?

If I am not mistaken, the caliber elimination for the range qualification is also on the governor's desk. That should help some folks, particularly the elderly. (One such elderly woman bruised her hand with her air-light revolver during my test.) Maybe this will help people to have more fun and take up shooting and training as a hobby, in addition to a defensive tool.

 

[Jon Payne]

I'm 100% for it. If they came to me with the documents saying they passed the online class and all I have to teach is firearms safety/familiarization and qualifications.


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[jrbfishn]

For what most onstructors I know charge for firearms classes, they could make more this way with less time invested. Let alone the investment in training aids and a place to hold the class.

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[txinvestigator]

'Don't know how it will work out. But from what I saw when I took the class 21 years ago, several (or more) folks really, really, needed range time. Some had never shot a pistol before the class. I'd sure hate for the "unfamiliar with guns" people to screw up on the street and cause a problem for us all.

Then you oppose Constitutional Carry?

 

[txinvestigator]

I would much rather spend time on the range rather than in the classroom, especially since that overpromoted driver's license clerk took over the DPS CHL program and went on her "four food groups" tirade and draconian "train to time, not to standard" rants. If this works out as it seems, now students can take her version of instruction and instructors will not have the liability for it.

What are you talking about? To whom are you referring? As an instructor, I never heard ANY of that

 

[Nightwatch]

There are states that simply require an application and a background check, do those states see any greater increase of unlawful use then Texas?

Don't know as I've put my efforts into Tx-related research.
We've got some great common-sense laws and some not so much. I've found folks who've carried for years not knowing simple things, and the State doesn't send out the CHL-16 with packets as they did in the beginning. I ordered them a couple times to have extras for family-and paid $5 each, where they were free in the beginning...the last two orders were a sheaf of copies on 8 1/2x11 not trimmed, not folded, and no cover...I took them to OMax and put covers on them. I bought about 15 from an instructor who was making them up when the state quit. Having a booklet in the car or in the reading room tends to encourage refreshers...online not as much. I complained and they said they were too expensive the old way. I'm surprised we don't have more problems caused by those who don't know the laws. I learn better when I have a book in my hand...compooters are not my cuppa tea!

I'm sold on the instructor-in-class method...my first one was taught by a man who helped write the CC laws...and he explained the effort expended to get the laws as they were...a lot behind the scenes...quite a good in-depth history of the process...I've only had one instructor make a mistake during refreshers, and that was his opinion, their personal experiences and accumulated tips won't be there online.

 

[45tex]

As I have read here before. Many other fine states that they are, just require a few bucks and some ID to issue a LTC. Their people are not dying in the streets. That said I like the idea of an hour or so with an instructor on gun safety. I believe this may truly help folks to not shoot themselves and family, and is a good refresher for everyone. And somehow or other the instructor will figure a way to relive us all of $80 each. The magic instructor number for everything.
Also as an old dude an AirWeight .38+P is quite a handful. It might be worth the money to be advised by an instructor about the recoil saving Pycmayer compact grip. Even my 12oz. Undercover Lite likes that grip. I can never remember how to spell that brand. Grandma's might find that good advice too. And the range probably sells them as well. A win win situation. Recently replaced the $300+ Crimson Trace grip on an AirWeight with a 30 year old compact grip. Much better. The wife got the laser, she likes the red dot.

 

[Nightwatch]

As I have read here before. Many other fine states that they are, just require a few bucks and some ID to issue a LTC. Their people are not dying in the streets. That said I like the idea of an hour or so with an instructor on gun safety. I believe this may truly help folks to not shoot themselves and family, and is a good refresher for everyone. And somehow or other the instructor will figure a way to relive us all of $80 each. The magic instructor number for everything.
Also as an old dude an AirWeight .38+P is quite a handful. It might be worth the money to be advised by an instructor about the recoil saving Pycmayer compact grip. Even my 12oz. Undercover Lite likes that grip. I can never remember how to spell that brand. Grandma's might find that good advice too. And the range probably sells them as well. A win win situation. Recently replaced the $300+ Crimson Trace grip on an AirWeight with a 30 year old compact grip. Much better. The wife got the laser, she likes the red dot.

I put Pachmayr Compacs on every revolver I get-they hide well, don't grab my shirt, and make shooting a lot more fun. I carry stainless steel revolvers, so no airweights here-I like all the pain on the other end.

 

[txinvestigator]

I didn't know about this until I received my Law Shield newsletter. HB 3784 will allow an online 4 hour LTC course. One would still have to go to a licensed instructor for the firearm proficiency. There would be a difference there. A person who takes the online class would have to take at least one hour of shooting instruction before being permitted to qualify.

This is extremely interesting, and I cannot believe it received pretty much zero attention this year.

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/BillStages.aspx?LegSess=85R&Bill=HB3784

Click on the "text" tab to read the text of the bill.

Signed by the Governor. Goes into effect Sept 1

 

[Kar98]

Well since my in person class was watching YouTube videos of the latest tactical stances while the instructor was taking 8 people each to the range one after another, followed by what felt like a 90 sales pitch for TXlawshield, and a quick run-down on when it's OK to shoot and when not... oh wait, we also listened to two 911 calls, one with an unjustified shooting, one with a justified one, I don't see how this would be any different. I've been taking my near annual defensive driving class online also. Maybe we could have a comedy LTC class too?