I think they're making the right decision. I decided to forego the NRA's blended training course and go with the concealed carry course taught by my state's Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks. I didn't like the idea of doing one part of the course online, then having to track down someone to do the shooting qualification with, when I could do both at the same time. Best decision I ever made, because the man that taught me was ex military, a former member of the Navy Pistol Shooting Team, and a former instructor at Gunsight Academy. I had confidence that when I passed the qualification with him, I was competent enough to carry in public.
NRA To Fix Blended Training Mistake
The NRA decided to exclude its 100,000 instructors from the first portion of it Basic Pistol program, the basis of training requirements for many states' concealed handgun licensing programs by putting it online. Now, they are admitting it was a mistake, and say they will fix it soon:
https://www.thegunwriter.com/21851/exclusive-nra-to-fix-blended-training-mistake/
https://www.thegunwriter.com/21851/exclusive-nra-to-fix-blended-training-mistake/
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The NRA decided to exclude its 100,000 instructors from the first portion of it Basic Pistol program, the basis of training requirements for many states' concealed handgun licensing programs by putting it online. Now, they are admitting it was a mistake, and say they will fix it soon:
https://www.thegunwriter.com/21851/exclusive-nra-to-fix-blended-training-mistake/
I normally don't bad mouth the NRA because I think they do more good than bad but, come on...
“Plain and simple, the NRA made a mistake, but our members, our trainers and everyone in the country who is looking for this type of training will be very happy with what we are going to come up with,” Powell said. “It’s what they deserve.”
Having to pay $60 to NRA directly cheats every NRA instructor of at least a third of his fee. That stinks.
$60 bucks is one third of the fee? Not exactly sure what the class entails.
Concealed carry permit class, test, and shooting test can be had in middle Tennessee for the fine sum of $32.50.
Concealed carry permit class, test, and shooting test can be had in middle Tennessee for the fine sum of $32.50.
About two thirds, in that case.$60 bucks is one third of the fee? Not exactly sure what the class entails.
Concealed carry permit class, test, and shooting test can be had in middle Tennessee for the fine sum of $32.50.
I think my figure is actually low in several areas around the country. Here in Missouri whether you get training at an indoor range or in a smaller private setting, it still totals 8 hours of the instructor/trainer's time. With a large class, you need a classroom and normally have at least a couple others assisting so it's not like they are making a ton of money.$60 bucks is one third of the fee? Not exactly sure what the class entails.
Concealed carry permit class, test, and shooting test can be had in middle Tennessee for the fine sum of $32.50.
Here the price is normally between $120-150. Since we have constitutional carry as of Jan. 1, Some trainers have dropped their price to $100.
Still, look at it this way, If your price was $32.50 it will probably now be another $60 bucks. I doubt any trainer willing to do a class for $32.50 would be willing to knock off any of the classroom safety training time so where you live, the total cost would probably increase to around $92.50.
If you have a large group, (40 is not uncommon here) they still all need to assemble in one large room for instructions. Normally they are then taken for range qualifying in smaller groups of 8-10 max. while the others are watching videos, filling out paperwork, etc.
If a trainer splits the classroom time from the qualifying, the state still requires a total of 8 hours so I don't know how that would work here without a change in the law. Even though a permit won't be required for carry in Missouri after the first of the year, I expect many will still want a permit and one will be needed for concealed carry reciprocity out of state.
Having to split fees at all with NRA is going to cause trainers some economic pains no matter what the fee is where 8 hours (or more) of training is required and will be problematic from a logistical angle for most trainers.
I don't think blended learning is their biggest issue. I have taken several shooting classes, about a third of them NRA "non-blended" courses, and the NRA courses were the worst of the lot. Instructors are given a slide presentation for the classroom portion and they basically show the slides and read every word. Yes, you can ask questions of a live instructor, but half the time that leads to some political/legal rant that is out of the instructors depth and represents their opinion, not fact. Also their classroom course material drags and loses people's attention. Finally, I have seen bad range safety violations ignored by NRA course instructors...at the NRA HQ Range!
I'm sure there are great NRA instructors. But their reputation is dragged down by the reality that the NRA tolerates bad instructors. I have spent a lot of my career in training design and delivery. Blended learning can work if it's done right, although instructor-led learning is probably better for these kinds of courses. But that's not the real issue here. No learning model can thrive with bad course materials and bad instructors.
I'm sure there are great NRA instructors. But their reputation is dragged down by the reality that the NRA tolerates bad instructors. I have spent a lot of my career in training design and delivery. Blended learning can work if it's done right, although instructor-led learning is probably better for these kinds of courses. But that's not the real issue here. No learning model can thrive with bad course materials and bad instructors.
HUH??? NO WAY! Here is the Tennessee State Fees which you must pay in addition to whatever you pay for the mandatory class$60 bucks is one third of the fee? Not exactly sure what the class entails.
Concealed carry permit class, test, and shooting test can be had in middle Tennessee for the fine sum of $32.50.
https://www.tn.gov/safety/article/handgunmain -
scroll down the page for the chart.
NRA To Fix Blended Training Mistake
I was expecting some sort of diversity problems. :embarassed:
I was expecting some sort of diversity problems. :embarassed:
We talked about the new blended learning thing back when it first became the only thing the NRA was offering as a teaching option to its instructors. Less than a year later, here we are:
http://www.defensivecarry.com/forum...ning/233897-nra-blended-training-courses.html
http://www.defensivecarry.com/forum...ning/233897-nra-blended-training-courses.html
As bizarre as the world has been this last year I wouldn't be surprised if the NRA made the entire course over the internet. You'd just Skype with an observer in the NRA training headquarters (maybe in India) while shooting the hands on portion.
All kidding aside, glad they at least have admitted they erred and are working on a solution. Time will tell.
All kidding aside, glad they at least have admitted they erred and are working on a solution. Time will tell.
HUH??? NO WAY! Here is the Tennessee State Fees which you must pay in addition to whatever you pay for the mandatory class
https://www.tn.gov/safety/article/handgunmain -
scroll down the page for the chart.
That is only the class and range fees. The state issued license fee is not included in the $32.50.
Oh, OK. We took our classes when the Shall Issue first became law. Our class and range test, etc. was $100 for each of us (if I remember correctly - it's been a long time) and it was taught by a state patrolman and a park ranger. That was before every tiny little hamlet had people who got certified to teach the course. Still can't find one close to us for less than $50 or $75 though.That is only the class and range fees. The state issued license fee is not included in the $32.50.
I like the way PA. does it. walk in pay 20 bucks,walk out! No class at all!
Apart from the concealed carry issues, I thought that the pedagogy of the on line portion of the NRA program was really poor. I am delighted to hear it may be changed.
I'm with you on that one. I had a PA non-resident license for five years, issued by Sheriff Denny Nau's office. I had several interactions with his staff, and they were always friendly and extremely helpful. You guys lost a good one when he retired, IMO: Centre County Sheriff Denny Nau announces retirement | Centre Daily TimesI like the way PA. does it. walk in pay 20 bucks,walk out! No class at all!
Ohio's reciprocity agreements made my PA license redundant, but I'll always appreciate the ability it granted me to carry in several states legally.
Well here in MA, law requires one of a number of courses to get a license. License is required to possess any gun, large-capacity magazine or even a spent .22LR casing.$60 bucks is one third of the fee? Not exactly sure what the class entails.
Concealed carry permit class, test, and shooting test can be had in middle Tennessee for the fine sum of $32.50.
I don't recall what the NRA BP (old course) packet cost but I think it might have been ~$20.00 delivered (they rape us instructors on S/H plus charge sales tax on the entire cost including S/H), then we have to pay $10/student for use of a classroom and another $10/student for use of a range. Add to that the cost of ammo, cost of insurance, guns, gun repairs, targets, etc. and it's tough to get rich even if we charge $100-150/student. [Keep in mind due to our laws, students can't bring their own guns/ammo to a class, so instructor has to supply everything.]
The blended course (which I reviewed but haven't and won't teach) still required 3 hours in a classroom with a live instructor plus shooting qualification. Our state mandates another ~1 hour on state gun law. So cost and time involved by instructor really doesn't change much with the blended course vs. old course.
I much prefer the NRA Home Firearm Safety course instead anyway, as students get to handle long guns as well as handguns. When I do it, I include shooting after the NRA portion is done (as some MA police chiefs won't issue license unless the course had live fire) so they each get to fire .22LR (pistol, revolver and rifle), 9mm (Glock and M&P), AR-15 and AK-47. I feel that they get a well-rounded experience that exceeds NRA and our state requirements for their $150.
1 - 17 of 17 Posts
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