Training for Virginia Permit

[wirenut]

Hello, new to the board. Does anyone know if there are training opportunities on line which would fulfil the Virginia training requirement? "Free" training on line would be even better. I've owned firearms of one sort or another since I was about 10 years old. Any help at all would be great. Thank you!!

[Felix]

Does anyone know if there are training opportunities on line which would fulfil the Virginia training requirement? "Free" training on line would be even better.

I'm not happy that VA accepts online courses but maybe it makes sense for someone who's (in their own mind) an experienced handgun user.

Anyway, rant off, since you asked, here's one for $40. I'm not aware of anyone offering a certificate for free in our state.

Others listed here.

Oh, and welcome to the forum. And please don't take my rant as being a wiseacre, I'm just kind of passionate that concealed permits should only be issued to people who can demonstrate at least a basic proficiency in handgun safety and use.

[G50AE]

I'm not happy that VA accepts online courses but maybe it makes sense for someone who's (in their own mind) an experienced handgun user.

Oh, and welcome to the forum. And please don't take my rant as being a wiseacre, I'm just kind of passionate that concealed permits should only be issued to people who can demonstrate at least a basic proficiency in handgun safety and use.

And can that proficiency not be demonstrated via an online course? I don't see why instructor face-time should be required.

[Felix]

And can that proficiency not be demonstrated via an online course? I don't see why instructor face-time should be required.

I don't know how. Enlighten me.

[wirenut]

Felix, thank you Brother. I will research that training. I can see both sides of the discussion. From strickly a knowledge standpoint, one could study and pass a wriiten exam, while never having handled a firearm of any type. Scarey. However proficiency with handleing cannot be demonstrated on line in any way. Just my 2 cents. You are already enlightened my friend.

[Yarddawg]

If you have taken an approved hunter safety course, or any NRA training class, you are good to go.

As for demonstrating proficiency is concerned, that is completely subjective based upon the observer's opinion. I, for one, am glad that VA is smarter than that!

[mrjam2jab]

MD DPS has a free one. It is very similar to the NRA Basic course, just without the live fire exercise. There is a test at the end and you print a certificate of completion.

[Yarddawg]

MD DPS has a free one. It is very similar to the NRA Basic course, just without the live fire exercise. There is a test at the end and you print a certificate of completion.

Is this recognized by VA?

[mrjam2jab]

Is this recognized by VA?

I don't know if there was an "official" ruling....but it seems to fit #7 of training options

7. Completing any firearms training or safety course or class, including an electronic, video, or on-line course, conducted by a state-certified or National Rifle Association-certified firearms instructor;

[Felix]

As for demonstrating proficiency is concerned, that is completely subjective based upon the observer's opinion. I, for one, am glad that VA is smarter than that!

I guess we'll just disagree on that point. Of course the handling a handgun safely part of a hands-on course is subjective Dawg but I kind of think it's a bit like defining porn...difficult to put in words but relatively easy for an experienced instructor/evaluator to quickly ascertain...whether the student can put the basic tenets of handgun safety taught during the instruction portion of a course into practical use.

The proficiency part of a range course is objective...the village idiot can count the holes in a target so that's not subjective at all...other than we don't have any state standards defining how to test and what a minimum level of proficiency should be.

I'd probably starve to death if I had to make a living running qualification courses for hire. They wouldn't be particularly easy so few would want the hassle.