Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

Im wanting to get my CHP, my question is, is my hunter education course certificate valid even thought when I took the class I was 12? I have been around guns all my life and know how to safely operate them... Money is tight and I don't think I can afford both CHP and a class... Do you think my chances are better if I save the money a take a class? or do you think I am fine with my hunters education course certificate?

Any feedback is appreciated
Thanks.

If you have the Hunter Safety certificate, the court has to accept it regardless of how long ago you took it. That's the inexpensive way out for you if you want to do it.

Our 5 hour gun safety class is only $65 and I can guarantee that you'll learn something that you didn't learn in hunter safety. I will never understand why the law accepts hunter safety as most people have told me that it has very little to do with firearms and even less to do with handguns. Of course it has zero to do with concealed carry.

Yes, as stated, your Hunter Safety certificate counts just fine, but even if you don't take a CHP class right now, I would urge you to do so when your finances allow it. There is SO MUCH MORE to carrying concealed than just handling a handgun.

In the meantime, there are forums on the internet and web sites that can help you get more information about these important topics.

guitarpicva wrote:In the meantime, there are forums on the internet and web sites that can help you get more information about these important topics.

That's precisely what we're here for. I couldn't find information specific to Virginia when I was getting my CHP early last year, so I started VGOF so that others wouldn't have the same problem.

I took the online CHP class for $20, and found it very, very informative and helpful. I don't think it's near as good as a hands on offered or suggested by the others, but if you have a shortage of time & $$...

guitarpicva wrote:Yes, as stated, your Hunter Safety certificate counts just fine, but even if you don't take a CHP class right now, I would urge you to do so when your finances allow it. There is SO MUCH MORE to carrying concealed than just handling a handgun.

In the meantime, there are forums on the internet and web sites that can help you get more information about these important topics.

BIG +1 on that one. First and foremost beyond being able to handle your gun you must know the laws. And, not only must you understand the law you must be able to apply murky VA law to various situations. Yes, I realize we arent going to sit there and process for precious seconds when someone is threatening us with a gun but you get the point.

Thank you all for your quick responses.