After Action.net sent a first-time student to Charles Heller’s Arizona CCW class on November 28, 2008, for a review from a woman’s point of view. The reviewer had no previous firearms training.
Course overview
- Instructor: Charles Heller, Tucson, Arizona
- Course: Arizona concealed weapons permit class
- Class size: 15 to 20 students, mixed men and women
- Setting: The classroom portion was held in the instructor’s home because the usual facility was unavailable.
The class
- Experience levels varied widely. Most of the women had no background with firearms or permits; most of the men had some formal training, including former FBI and military.
- Several hours covered Arizona and federal law, with many definitions and detailed explanations.
- The class listed the crimes under Arizona law that can justify deadly force, including arson, burglary, kidnapping, manslaughter, murder, sexual assault, child molestation, armed robbery and aggravated assault.
- It also covered the permit process and the timelines the Department of Public Safety had to meet when issuing or denying a permit.
Safety rules emphasized
- Treat every firearm as if it is loaded.
- Always point the muzzle in a safe direction.
- Keep your finger in register on the frame until the sights are on target and you are ready to shoot.
- Know your target and what is behind it.
- Always keep control of your defensive firearm.
Observations
- For a complete beginner, the volume of legal material was overwhelming. The reviewer felt the class is best taken after some basic firearms training, when students can get more out of it.
- Instructors suggested mailing a copy of your class notes to yourself and keeping the envelope sealed, as dated proof of training if ever needed in court.
- The class raised the reviewer’s awareness of her surroundings and changed how she thinks about keeping her family safe.
Takeaways
- Take a basic handgun class before a CCW class if you are brand new.
- Arizona law has changed significantly since 2008, including permitless carry in 2010. Always check current law; the Firearm Safety Rules page covers the universal rules.
- Keep dated records of every class you take. A training log does the job.
Originally published on After Action.net on April 6, 2009. Rebuilt from the archived report; the original photos were not preserved. See every class in the Training Log, or share your own training experience.
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