pbwalker wrote:O6nop wrote:
It seems your confusion dealt mainly with why some people with CHLs don't know which signs are valid or other similar instruction taught in CHL class.
I offer these suggestions:
1) There's a lot of information to absorb and can't always all be retained
2) Some instructors aren't always that clear or thorough
3) Some instructors just tell you something that is apparently wrong (my case)
4) Armchair instructors are always telling you something that is not correct or different from what real instructors tell you.
So, it's not at all hard for me to see why some people don't understand things that are so easy for other people to understand.
2 and 3 are BIG problems in my eyes.
I wonder if DPS could implement some kind of 'secret shopper' program where instructors are observed by officials, ensuring that necessary content is covered and covered correctly? Getting wrong information is a HUGE problem, and those instructors are a great disservice to the state.
DPS does send out "undercover" auditors if there is a report of problems with an instructor. But someone has to report the problem first. I encourage folks to report instructors who aren't doing their jobs, and making the rest of us - and the whole CHL program - look bad.
pbwalker wrote:But ultimately, it comes down to the licensee. I'm sure going to trial and saying "My instructor said..." won't fly.
This is true. Instructors have some limited immunity, but not if they commit fraud or deceptive trade. See (e) below.
Texas Government Code wrote:Sec. 411.208. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. (a) A court may not hold the state, an agency or subdivision of the state, an officer or employee of the state, a peace officer, or a qualified handgun instructor liable for damages caused by:(1) an action authorized under this subchapter or a failure to perform a duty imposed by this subchapter; or(2) the actions of an applicant or license holder that occur after the applicant has received a license or been denied a license under this subchapter.(b) A cause of action in damages may not be brought against the state, an agency or subdivision of the state, an officer or employee of the state, a peace officer, or a qualified handgun instructor for any damage caused by the actions of an applicant or license holder under this subchapter.(c) The department is not responsible for any injury or damage inflicted on any person by an applicant or license holder arising or alleged to have arisen from an action taken by the department under this subchapter.(d) The immunities granted under Subsections (a), (b), and (c) do not apply to an act or a failure to act by the state, an agency or subdivision of the state, an officer of the state, or a peace officer if the act or failure to act was capricious or arbitrary.(e) The immunities granted under Subsection (a) to a qualified handgun instructor do not apply to a cause of action for fraud or a deceptive trade practice.
pbwalker wrote:Slightly off topic, we use a lot of one-pagers and product slicks for employees where I work. I wonder if a quick and dirty PDF explaining the most common misconceptions and confusion might benefit the newbies? Hmmm...might have to give that one a try and see how well it works.
I think this is a great idea. Your sticky post about signs is a great example.
)
