Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

dose anyone know of a online class that meets the requirements of the state?? or have any of you had any bad experiences with online classes? I was thinking about taking this one http://www.concealed-carry.net/index.php
I have waited too long and dont want to wait any longer. They say It meets all the requirements but something tells me I should ask you all

I took the test on that site, printed out my certificate and took it to the court clerks office. They accepted it with no questions and I got my CHP in about 3 weeks.

You could also look into this website.

http://www.vaguntraining.com/

Please don't watch an online video for 30 minutes and declare yourself competent to carry a handgun.....please, please, please....

Please take a real training class.

ProShooter wrote:Please don't watch an online video for 30 minutes and declare yourself competent to carry a handgun.....please, please, please....

Please take a real training class.

THIS!

I never said anything about a class making me competent, I have been around firearms since I could pretty much walk. Im a member at a few ranges in the NOVA area shoot at-least 3 times a month. Open carry every day. I just want to fulfill VA's unconstitutional (not going there tho) permit requirements as easily as possible. So I have other options to carry.

It's a good thing to be reminded from time to time that not all folks who inquire about a CHP are rookies starting from scratch. Many are fairly to highly experienced with firearms but just never considered having a CHP necessary before, or moved here from a state that perhaps was not "shall issue", etc. I had been shooting for decades before finally realizing that it was no longer "durned near impossible unless you're friends with the judge" to get a CHP, and even then I wasn't sure I saw a benefit to being on record as having a CHP for several more years. I could have taken an online course just to check the box, similar to the OP's desire, and I would have been competent. I do take practical shooting courses though, but because I want to improve my speed and skills.

That being said, I agree with ProShooter, that many (if not most) people really do benefit from in person training that involve actually shooting a firearm, if only to hear the current legal environment explained, questioned and discussed, but also to knock any rust off handling skills and to get decent advice on equipment, technique, etc. Therefore, I see a valid place for those online-only courses to exist, but would not recommend them to everyone.

GmuGuy wrote:dose anyone know of a online class that meets the requirements of the state?? or have any of you had any bad experiences with online classes? I was thinking about taking this one http://www.concealed-carry.net/index.php
I have waited too long and dont want to wait any longer. They say It meets all the requirements but something tells me I should ask you all

TheWife took that same class - http://www.concealed-carry.net - and applied for and received her CHP with no problems.

I, and I suspect most here, don't think the state of VA should require training to carry a concealed handgun. VA has no training requirement to open carry a handgun. I suspect most of us are in favor of VA becoming a constitutional carry state like Vermont, Alaska or Arizona. Firearms training and proficiency should be the individual's responsibility - not the state's.

However, I am a staunch supporter and advocate for good firearms training. If you own, and especially if you carry a handgun, you should know how to properly handle, operate, transport, maintain and store it. You should also know the basics of laws pertaining to handguns and the use of deadly force. The tough question is; how well should one be able to know or do these things? What should the minimum standards be? What's good enough? These questions are what I struggle with.

So I ended up taking that online class and went down to the court house today dropped off my 3 copies and had another copy signed notarized and timed stamp for myself.

I agree with most of you, a online class is no substitute for face to face hand on firearms
training. However that was not my desire in this case, I just wanted to meet the states requirements simply and easily. I truly hope one day (soon) VA will be a constitutional carry state.

What is the turn around time for Fairfax how long dose it normally take? What is protocol and what do I have to do on day 45 if I have not received my permit? Do I actually have to go get something or is my time stamped signed copy enough for me to strap up?

Chasbo00 wrote:I, and I suspect most here, don't think the state of VA should require training to carry a concealed handgun. VA has no training requirement to open carry a handgun. I suspect most of us are in favor of VA becoming a constitutional carry state like Vermont, Alaska or Arizona. Firearms training and proficiency should be the individual's responsibility - not the state's.

However, I am a staunch supporter and advocate for good firearms training. If you own, and especially if you carry a handgun, you should know how to properly handle, operate, transport, maintain and store it. You should also know the basics of laws pertaining to handguns and the use of deadly force. The tough question is; how well should one be able to know or do these things? What should the minimum standards be? What's good enough? These questions are what I struggle with.

I'm with you. Times have changed and skill sets have changed. Back in the day the majority of people were skilled with a firearm because it was a tool if the day. I am a staunch believer in the 2A but I also believe that if you have to show competences to drive a car, operate heave machinery or work in your chosen profession then you should have to show competences to carry a firearm. I know there are others out there who would disagree but after a career in Law Enforcement there is no one who could convince me different.

Not to mention that I have to qualify annually, (which I don't mind) to keep my HR 218 validation.

I have attended pistol classes taught by Larry Vickers and Ken Hackathorn but the CA would not accept them because the training certificates did not have their NRA instructor number on them. I ended up taking the on-line course.

When I got my CHP long ago, they accepted a copy of my Hunter Safety card as evidence of competence. The only reason I happened to have one of THEM was that some years before that I took my youngest son to that class for him to get a hunting license, and the old dude that was running the class (he ran the local sporting goods store, had known me since I was a pup, and had sold me the first 8 or 10 guns I bought new) handed me a test and told me "it won't hurt you none".

GmuGuy wrote:So I ended up taking that online class and went down to the court house today dropped off my 3 copies

I guess the online course didn't explain the "3 copy thing" to you.....

ProShooter wrote:

GmuGuy wrote:So I ended up taking that online class and went down to the court house today dropped off my 3 copies

I guess the online course didn't explain the "3 copy thing" to you.....

care to enlighten us?

GmuGuy wrote:

ProShooter wrote:

GmuGuy wrote:So I ended up taking that online class and went down to the court house today dropped off my 3 copies

I guess the online course didn't explain the "3 copy thing" to you.....

care to enlighten us?

You are not required to provide 3 copies of anything. That is a Fairfax (et al) extra-legal requirement because they are too lazy to walk down the hall and push the button on the copier.

At the end of my CHP class, I always explain the application process to students so that they know exactly what they are required to do and provide to the Clerk of the Circuit Court in order to obtain their permit. No extra copies, no SASE, no photos, no credit card processing fees, no blood samples, etc.

A copy of your completed app
A copy of your training certificate
Permit fee - $50 max
Fingerprints, if required by local ordinance.


I'm not trying to be rude at all here honestly, but that is just an example of what you don't get by taking an online course....and you may have just gotten a good bit more.

ProShooter wrote:You are not required to provide 3 copies of anything. That is a Fairfax (et al) extra-legal requirement because they are too lazy to walk down the hall and push the button on the copier.
(snip...)
I'm not trying to be rude at all here honestly, but that is just an example of what you don't get by taking an online course....and you may have just gotten a good bit more.

Yawn... As far as "extra-legal" requirements go, this one doesn't seem too egregious... what? 50 cents, max? three sheets of printer paper? pfffttt! Not nearly as egregious as the Circuit Court that wouldn't accept a valid DD-214, as described in another thread.

BW1911 wrote:

ProShooter wrote:You are not required to provide 3 copies of anything. That is a Fairfax (et al) extra-legal requirement because they are too lazy to walk down the hall and push the button on the copier.
(snip...)
I'm not trying to be rude at all here honestly, but that is just an example of what you don't get by taking an online course....and you may have just gotten a good bit more.

Yawn... As far as "extra-legal" requirements go, this one doesn't seem too egregious... what? 50 cents, max? three sheets of printer paper? pfffttt! Not nearly as egregious as the Circuit Court that wouldn't accept a valid DD-214, as described in another thread.

The point is not in the value of the paper.

If they don't accept a DD-214, that is just as bad.

Some months ago at a VCDL meeting, the Fairfax County Circuit Court Clerk spoke and it was recorded. The video is about 30 minutes long. It has some interesting info and past history.

At about 14:45 into the video, the clerk addresses the whys behind the request for the extra copies and a self-addressed stamped envelope regarding CHP applications:

"otherwise my staff has to make the extra copies"

YES, your staff....BECAUSE THAT IS THEIR JOB! If the system that you are using is inefficient, or you are understaffed, then that is up to you as the Clerk of Court to fix, so that you don't burden the citizens. If you can't fix it, then get the hell out of the way and let someone in who can.

That would be my response to the Clerk.