Do you oppose Senate Bill 13-195? If so, why?

[DHC]

It wasn't all that long ago that I was preparing to apply for my CCW. I looked at a number of options to meet the requirement to present a training certificate. My background is that I've been around firearms most of my life - though with long lapses of not having them while living overseas. Still, I felt confident of my basic gun handling skills and safety awareness. The only thing I really wanted from the class was; (a) a refresher on the current laws, and (b) the physical certificate to present with my application. Other than those two things, the rest was a waste of time. To accomplish those two things, an online class would have been more than sufficient. When I checked around, it turned out there was a more convenient local class offered for a lower price than the online classes I found, so that it what I did. Nonetheless, I liked the option of having an online class option that 'fit' for me and my circumstances.

Having said that, I get real damn nervous when I go to the range - and especially on public lands - when I see some of the newbies who are fumbling around with their firearms. Can't count the times me, or my kids, have had some knumbnut swing the muzzle around in a downright dangerous manner. I often think to myself that I *wish* there were some form of mandated safety training requirement for people who are new to guns.

So that is the rub. I count myself as experienced enough, and safe enough, that I no longer need mandated training - YET - I find myself wanting exactly that for others.

I have to remind myself that I have no right to impose my wishes/demands on others - particularly when it intrudes on their rights. Admittedly, I struggle with this at times because it seems to me those newbies are intruding on my rights, and my kids rights, to be kept safe from their ignorance and/or negligence. Nonetheless, the conclusion I draw is that if I feel others are being unsafe, I leave - to insure my safety and especially that of my kids. That is the choice I make, and it provides for safety while not imposing on others.

Same concept with the ban of online class options. Without addressing whether concealed carry should be by permit or not - without challenging the training requirement for CCW - looking only at the question of whether online classes should be allowed or not - the clear answer is that they should be allowed and available. Choice of training venue ought to be left to each person. Period.