The class officially began at 8:00 AM at the conference center in back of the Wingate hotel in Round Rock, but we were asked to show up 20 minutes early to fill out some paperwork.
The instructors, Mark Northrup and Wyatt Bellis, have some connection with Round Rock Police Department in the area of evidence preservation, but teach the CHL class for "Fun." Wyatt, a US citizen now, is a former Brit . . . and sounds it. (But since it's former, that's OK.
) He mentioned that if he goes back to visit, he hopes to have an opportunity to show a Brit cop his Texas CHL, just to see the reaction in a nation where handguns are banned. There were about 18 or 19 students, including 4 women. Eight people were renewing, the rest were first-time applicants. An electronic projector was used to present class materials, including both written information and "how not to do things" videos. (The infamous DEA Rasta-Man video was one of those shown.) This was a good way of doing things - much better than an insructor who just stands at a lectern and talks.
Class consisted of a review of the relevant laws regarding CHLs, as well as the "Castle Doctrine" . . . responsibility was emphasized. (YOU are responsible for the use of your gun and whatever happens if you let your gun get into the hands of someone unauthorized, be it a child or an irresponsible adult.) The instructors also mentioned the 2007 law that allows one to carry a gun in their car even without a CHL.
Some things that stood out . . .
* The post office - including the parking lot - is "off limits" for CHL. (This has been discussed and debated ad nauseum on these forums.)
* Having even ONE drink may cause problems for a CHL. (This has also been discussed and debated ad nauseum on these forums.)
* Even if you're not carrying at the time, its best to show an LEO who requests ID your CHL. Your CHL status will show up when the LEO runs your DL, and it will annoy him if you didn't inform him, even if not required by law when you're not packing. This is probably good advice - I think all of us would rather not deal with an annoyed LEO if we could avoid it.
* In reply to a question, one of the instructors said CHL status could constitute probable cause for a vehicle search if you didn't inform, and if an LEO asks to search your vehicle, you should readily agree - after all, you're not hiding something, are you? (I disagree. While TX law prohibits resisting a search - even an illegal one - I do not believe one should ever consent to a search.)
* No fingerprints were included - thanks to Homeland Security issues, even the slightest smear on ONE fingerprint is cause for rejection - around 65% of ink prints are getting rejected. So they strongly recommend going to a DPS facility for electronic prints.
The way the course was run, there were a couple of short breaks, during which one instructor notarized forms while the other took passport photos.
Renewal students were eventually broken out to take the written test, after which everyone drove to Eagle Peak range in Leander, about a 25 minute drive away. Renewal students shot first, and were released immediately afterwards . . . first time applicants had to return to the conference center to complete the balance of their class. The instructors took care of the day's range fee, but if you didn't already have a range membership card at Eagle Peak, it cost you $10 for one.
The ARFA website mentions that a prize is awarded to those who both score 100% on the written exam and 250 on the shooting test . . . but that's only for first-time applicants, not renewals. (Edited to add: this caveat has now been added to their website.) Likewise the drawing for $25 gift cards from local businesses like, IIRC, Sportsman's Warehouse. The perk for renewals was leaving early.
Bottom line - the instructors pretty much knew what they were doing, they held the group's interest, ran things efficiently, and kept people as long as the law required - no extra "padding" of time.
Overall, I give this course a "thumbs up."
