Let me preface by stating this simply my opinion and should only be taken as such. I'm sure some will disagree and that's perfectly fine.
I recently took another required CHP course and viewed everything from a different perspective. When I originally took my first CHP couse, I had never attended a day of training and didn't know what to expect. I was mislead, like many, and believed it to be an actual firearms class related to shooting. Fast forward to now, after having attended multiple concealed carry, pistol, and defensive firearms related course, I went into the class with a different mindset. The course instructor did an excellent job and I fully understand that the course material and qualification is dictated by LSP. However, I take issue with the actual material and qualification.
If you have not taken the course before, it consists of two portions, classroom education and the live fire qualification. During the classroom portion, you will discuss basic firearms nomenclature, basic firearms handling, drawing the firearm from a holster, storage and securing firearms, gun safety and children, as well as discussing applicable laws in relation to concealed carry. There is more emphasis on basic things and not enough discussion on deadly force or when/where you can or can't carry a concealed firearm. Equipment is discussed, but there is very little discussion on actually concealing the firearm. The live fire qualification is comically simple. A total of 36 rounds are fired into a B-27 target at 6 feet (2 yards), 10 feet (3.3ish yards), and 15 feet (5 yards). You will have to perform a reload during the live fire qualification. All 36 rounds must be within the silhouette. As previously stated, the qualification is comically simple, yet people have failed.
USPSA/IPSC (left) and NRA B-27 (right)
Considering that the course isn't an actual instructional course on how to shoot a pistol, it's essentially very briefly discussing some things you should already understand if you are going to be be responsible enough to carry a concealed firearm. This is where the issue lies. Prior to taking the Louisiana CHP course, you should have already taken some form of training or instruction. You should most definitely attend training afterwards.
I was originally of the opinion that many ignorant/uninformed gun owners are deterred by having to pay to attend the course, then pay to have documents notarized, and then pay to acquire a permit. I still am of that opinion, but I also believe that there are many ignorant/uninformed gun owners who go through the steps to acquire the permit anyway, but have absolutely zero desire to seek education outside of that single class. Point being, the ignorant/uninformed person being deterred by cost is no different than the ignorant/uninformed person paying for the permit. The only difference being that one will ultimately legally acquire a CHP and may or may not carry a concealed firearm. For those who seek knowledge and further training, it's a non-issue, but it becomes a burden. The class is a joke and the qualification is designed for people to pass even if they picked up a firearm for the first time in their life. If that's what is supposed to be taken as a serious course, we may as well have Constitutional Carry, because the only thing the CHP course is providing is a paycheck to instructors, notaries, and LSP. If anyone goes into that class expecting they will learn how to become a proficient pistol shooter and have a greater knowledge of concealed carry, they are greatly mistaken.
I recently took another required CHP course and viewed everything from a different perspective. When I originally took my first CHP couse, I had never attended a day of training and didn't know what to expect. I was mislead, like many, and believed it to be an actual firearms class related to shooting. Fast forward to now, after having attended multiple concealed carry, pistol, and defensive firearms related course, I went into the class with a different mindset. The course instructor did an excellent job and I fully understand that the course material and qualification is dictated by LSP. However, I take issue with the actual material and qualification.
If you have not taken the course before, it consists of two portions, classroom education and the live fire qualification. During the classroom portion, you will discuss basic firearms nomenclature, basic firearms handling, drawing the firearm from a holster, storage and securing firearms, gun safety and children, as well as discussing applicable laws in relation to concealed carry. There is more emphasis on basic things and not enough discussion on deadly force or when/where you can or can't carry a concealed firearm. Equipment is discussed, but there is very little discussion on actually concealing the firearm. The live fire qualification is comically simple. A total of 36 rounds are fired into a B-27 target at 6 feet (2 yards), 10 feet (3.3ish yards), and 15 feet (5 yards). You will have to perform a reload during the live fire qualification. All 36 rounds must be within the silhouette. As previously stated, the qualification is comically simple, yet people have failed.
i. live range fire shall include at a minimum 12 rounds each at 6 feet, 10 feet and 15 feet
for a total of 36 rounds;
ii. each applicant or permittee shall perform at least one safe reload of the handgun at
each distance;
iii. each applicant or permittee shall score 100 percent hits within the silhouette portion of
an N.R.A. B-27 type silhouette target with at least 36 rounds;
USPSA/IPSC (left) and NRA B-27 (right)
Considering that the course isn't an actual instructional course on how to shoot a pistol, it's essentially very briefly discussing some things you should already understand if you are going to be be responsible enough to carry a concealed firearm. This is where the issue lies. Prior to taking the Louisiana CHP course, you should have already taken some form of training or instruction. You should most definitely attend training afterwards.
I was originally of the opinion that many ignorant/uninformed gun owners are deterred by having to pay to attend the course, then pay to have documents notarized, and then pay to acquire a permit. I still am of that opinion, but I also believe that there are many ignorant/uninformed gun owners who go through the steps to acquire the permit anyway, but have absolutely zero desire to seek education outside of that single class. Point being, the ignorant/uninformed person being deterred by cost is no different than the ignorant/uninformed person paying for the permit. The only difference being that one will ultimately legally acquire a CHP and may or may not carry a concealed firearm. For those who seek knowledge and further training, it's a non-issue, but it becomes a burden. The class is a joke and the qualification is designed for people to pass even if they picked up a firearm for the first time in their life. If that's what is supposed to be taken as a serious course, we may as well have Constitutional Carry, because the only thing the CHP course is providing is a paycheck to instructors, notaries, and LSP. If anyone goes into that class expecting they will learn how to become a proficient pistol shooter and have a greater knowledge of concealed carry, they are greatly mistaken.