I’m fortunate enough to live in a country that allows the ownership of firearms, and lucky enough to live in a state that allows a person to carry a “concealed handgun”, after proper certification of course.

This past Saturday, my day began way too early! 5:30 am is not exactly my preferred time to wake up on Saturday. In fact, I believe waking up that early on a Saturday should be a crime, but I digress.

A fellow martial artist, my father and I all agreed to take a “concealed handgun” course in order to earn our own certification to carry concealed handguns. The initial course is about 10 hours total, 8 or so being a typical lecture/classroom environment, while the other 2 was actual training and certification on a live firing range. At the end of the 10 hours course, a test was administered serving as the main means of “feedback” to ensure that we comprehended the material. Needless to say, everyone of us passed with flying colors both the written and the practical portions!

The basic class breakdown was like this:

1. the basic rules of any firearm, something most people this day and age should be familiar with.
2. rules of the firing range and how to handle our weapons while on the range.
3. (The best part in my opinion!) Using a handgun, we were tested at our firing proficiency at what I recall being 3, 9, and 12 yards.
4. Another couple hours of legal discussion. The two instructors made sure to cover the laws regarding concealed handguns, including but not limited to:

• places we can & can’t carry
• properly identifying yourself as a “Concealed Handgun License” (CHL) holder to a police officer.
• Rules regarding the use of “Deadly Force”; when & when we can/can’t use it legally.
• Legal ramifications for breaking any laws
• Suspense, Revocation, Expiration & Renewal of a CHL.

The instructor also explained to us exactly what to expect after having had to use “Deadly Force” on someone. Its not pretty, but if its your life or the life of a loved one on the line, then its totally worth protecting by any means!

Although some my disagree with carrying a concealed handgun, and I may rarely ever carry one, I still believe this 10 hour course and the certification was extremely valuable. Now all thats left is having to submit the paperwork to the proper authorities, and of course purchasing myself a new gun. (My old 1902 Colt .38 ACP is far too valuable to carry around and fire in this day and age.)

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