What is a Concealed Weapon Permit class really like?
By Carl Yates
I am a NRA Instructor, who has been teaching people to shoot for many years, but had never been to a SC CWP course. On Sept. 30th, 2000, I picked up a camera and attended one of these classes being taught at Little Mountain Gun & Supply in Little Mountain, SC by Rick Daniel and Jerry Stoudemire.
The first thing I learned is that the course offers something for everyone. You will leave the class knowing more that you did when it started, no matter how long you have been shooting. I picked up some new ideas on knife carry of which I was not previously aware.
The course was based on the proven NRA Basic Pistol Course, but some extra elements are included to meet the SLED Guidelines. There was also a lot of paperwork involved in the process, as well as, requirements for photographs and fingerprints. This course provided everything you needed to get your permit. The photographs, fingerprints and notary services were all handled onsite, as part of the class to provide a convenience to the students. You may want to check to see if the instructor you are considering provides these services, as this is not a standard with all instructors.
After the class I had a chance to interview Rick Daniel, who taught the legal section as well as part of the range section, about the success of the class. He told me "Jerry and I have been teaching the CWP class since 1996. We were among the first certified by SLED to teach. Together we have trained several hundred law-abiding citizens. Our classes are typically about 25% female. We have a good racial mix, male/female mix, and age range mix. We teach on average 1 to 2 classes per month. We include the NRA basic pistol course. We stress membership in NRA and GOSC. We have a very high referral rate. Each student typically refers at least one other. In this last class a former student referred SIX!"
The range safety briefing occurs before the anything else at the range. Safety is foremost.
The Instructor Rick Daniel is making sure the students keep the handguns pointed in a safe direction. At this stage the firearms are unloaded. There were 4 Instructors for 18 students during the range portion of the class. The students fired in two relays so that each Instructors was working with just two students at a time.
Students on the firing line.
Students in the 'READY' position.
Instructors carefully observe the students during firing.
Students learn about the legal issues involved from Rick Daniel.
Lead Instructor Jerry Stoudemire demonstrates proper firearms care.
While instructing the classroom portion, Jerry Stoudemire is demonstrating the proper methods of concealed carry. He has eight concealed handguns on him and none are ever visible as he moves around the classroom.
The final exam is prepared by SLED and you must pass to get your permit. The exam contains 50 questions on basic firearms, safety and legal matters. Everything was covered in this class so many very good scores were recorded and all passed. You will notice one gentleman is more relaxed than the others and has no exam in front of him. He is a former student who went through the class again, but this time with his son.
Fingerprints are taken and then 3 mug shots. Doug Stoudemire does the honors.
The Instructors are preparing some of the paperwork for SLED and the NRA training division. Students are awarded both SC-CWP and NRA Basic Pistol training certifications. The NRA Certification may meet the training requirements in other states that do not accept the SC-CWP training course by itself.
Faye Stoudemire notarizes all the paperwork and there is a lot of it. She also handles scheduling of the classes.
GOSC does not provide individual firearms training, but does promote the idea that all firearms owners learn proper firearms safety. Independent Certified Instructors, many of who are GOSC members, handle training classes. If you would like training information from an instructor near you, please contact GOSC's President and include your name and address and the type of training you would like (SC-CWP, NRA Basic Rifle, Basic Pistol, Personal Protection, Basic Shotgun, Refuse to be a Victim, Home Firearms Safety...)