Are online courses acceptable?

[puckhed33]

I apologize if this has already been discussed. I am looking into getting my CHL and have seen some online courses available, some as low as $10. My question is are these acceptable for the Oregon CHL specifically Lane County? Also if anyone has taken these online courses what was your feedback?
Thanks from a n00b.
Dwight

 

[towboater]

IMHO I believe a physical class, including a range qualification, should be mandatory. I see nothing gained through an online test. However as far as you area, I have no clue.

 

[Nicksta31]

I agree with tow. Whether or not an online class will suffice I don't know, but a physical in person class would be way more beneficial.

 

[Everclear]

S.C. requires an 8 hour class with range time shooting involved. No way we could do online classes. Your state might be different. I'm sure the local law is on a link at the top of this page.

 

[kelcarry]

I apologize if this has already been discussed. I am looking into getting my CHL and have seen some online courses available, some as low as $10. My question is are these acceptable for the Oregon CHL specifically Lane County? Also if anyone has taken these online courses what was your feedback?
Thanks from a n00b.
Dwight

Please do not tell me you are asking this question with total sincerity. So for $10 and filling out a few forms, you should be allowed to walk around with a concealed firearm. Oh yah, this is acceptable for the company/person who gets your $10 and is perfect for framing on your wall---give me one good reason why it is good for anything else.

 

[cgiven1]

This is what Oregon law calls for.

(f) Demonstrates competence with a handgun by any one of the following:

(A) Completion of any hunter education or hunter safety course approved by the State Department of Fish and Wildlife or a similar agency of another state if handgun safety was a component of the course;

(B) Completion of any National Rifle Association firearms safety or training course if handgun safety was a component of the course;

(C) Completion of any firearms safety or training course or class available to the general public offered by law enforcement, community college, or private or public institution or organization or firearms training school utilizing instructors certified by the National Rifle Association or a law enforcement agency if handgun safety was a component of the course;

(D) Completion of any law enforcement firearms safety or training course or class offered for security guards, investigators, reserve law enforcement officers or any other law enforcement officers if handgun safety was a component of the course;

(E) Presents evidence of equivalent experience with a handgun through participation in organized shooting competition or military service;

(F) Is licensed or has been licensed to carry a firearm in this state, unless the license has been revoked; or

(G) Completion of any firearms training or safety course or class conducted by a firearms instructor certified by a law enforcement agency or the National Rifle Association if handgun safety was a component of the course;

You should probably check with the Sherrif where you intend to apply to see if an on-line course by a NRA certified instructor is acceptable as he will be the final authority on that.

 

[High Desert]

I agree with the other posts in that you really do not get the information needed in an online course whether it is acceptable, or not. I just took a course offered through a local sheriff's department (Deschutes County) and used it for my application in Crook County. Nothing against NRA certified instructors, as they are good, but I wanted to have a course give by an approved LEO. Reason: they deal with the law every day and can give you pretty definite yes / no answers on situations and what you should (try to) walk away from and when there is real jeopardy. Also, the cost was very reasonable ($25) and was well presented. You just can't do a Q & A with an online course and do not come away with needed knowledge and info. Do yourself a davor, cough up a few more dollars and take a certified NRA instructor course or one from the local LEO agency.

 

[justxboxin]

My coarse was 160 and it was in person I wouldn't have taken a class like that... What would u learn u are serious about the ccw then take the right class dont cut corners

 

[puckhed33]

Thanks for all the input. High Desert, I like the idea of a LEO taught course. I think I will see if my local Sheriff's office offers one.

 

[OCCI]

The only state that I know of that allows online classes is Virginia. However, the NRA has made it clear that NRA Instructors are not to offer online classes as they require an instructor present and could lead to a revocation of their certificate to instruct.

 

[justxboxin]

You should take the class see if cheap means quick class also ... Let all your cool friends apply ... So we can all feel a little bit safer lol

 

[puckhed33]

I get it. You all think it's a joke. I agree. Just wanted some info if this was actually acceptable. Obviously not.

 

[Glock Fan]

I agree with the other posts in that you really do not get the information needed in an online course whether it is acceptable, or not. I just took a course offered through a local sheriff's department (Deschutes County) and used it for my application in Crook County. Nothing against NRA certified instructors, as they are good, but I wanted to have a course give by an approved LEO. Reason: they deal with the law every day and can give you pretty definite yes / no answers on situations and what you should (try to) walk away from and when there is real jeopardy. Also, the cost was very reasonable ($25) and was well presented. You just can't do a Q & A with an online course and do not come away with needed knowledge and info. Do yourself a davor, cough up a few more dollars and take a certified NRA instructor course or one from the local LEO agency.

Getting "legal advice" from a LEO isn't the greatest idea. Opinions often differ greatly from LEO to LEO, and can sometimes get you into more trouble than it is worth. OTOH, there are NRA Instructors who are licensed attorneys who do practice criminal and other related fields of law. Though well intentioned, getting legal advice from a LEO might not be the best idea. Keep in mind that while a LEO will make an arrest, is is the prosecuting attorney (or equivalent) that will decide if charges will be pursued.

 

[raikay]

There are a number of places in and near Lane county that are really reasonable for classes including ones with range time. I'd recommend looking at Oregon Firearms Academy.

 

[puckhed33]

Thanks all. Much appreciated.

 

[Chrisdrummer]

According to an instructor at our local range four states do not recognize Virginia's CC Permit because of the online course offered in our state. The wife & I both shoot so we took a combat shooting course to qualify for our permit. Eight hours in class and a 60 round range qualification shooting left, right and both-handed, standing & kneeling. Good class with some real-world information-a paltry $65.00.

 

[Xader]

While I don't think an online course is sufficient for what should be learned prior to carrying (not I do not say "should be required"), I don't think a standard NRA handgun safety course provides anything that an online course couldn't.

If you are in the Portland area, I know the Multnomah County Sheriffs Office has weekly CHL courses for around $20.

 

[warthog97]

I dropped off my application today. Since I am military, I had both my military firearms training record and my certificate from an online training course I took. Since I've had extensive military training (ok, not really, more like day 1 at any quality training institute), and since I took a CHL course in Texas, I felt like the online option was a decent one. It exposed me to information on Oregon law which was the one thing I needed the most training on.

Also, for anyone interested in Oregon CHL laws, I bought Don Leach's book and learned quite a bit. I don't mean to promote the book, but since he was an attorney in Oregon and handled many firearms cases, it was a great study aide for me.

 

[NWGlockgal]

Yes, it IS accepted . At least in Yamhill county. I looked at the county website and they clearly states that an online gun safety course will suffice. They list those instructors whose classes that they accept.
I had a CHL years ago that I let lapse. I decided about two months ago to get it again. I took the $10 class on line from a gentleman in Newberg (who also offers live classes),
printed out the certificate from taking the class, took it down to the sheriff's office where it was accepted without question. They know the gentleman who does the online course and seem to hold him in high regard.
If I did not have a CHL before, I would not have taken this route, I would have taken a class with a live instructor, which is what I did the first time I got a CHL.

 

[iKarith]

Multnomah County also accepts online courses if they otherwise qualify. IMO they defeat the spirit of the law.

That said, the moral standard for carrying a weapon is: Do you know how to use it (and how not to)? Can you do so in safety for yourself and for any innocent bystander? Do you have, or are you actively in the process of obtaining the trigger-time experience to be sure of your answers to these questions? If so, you have met your moral obligation for carrying a weapon for lawful purposes. It's notable that these moral obligations for responsible carry extend beyond what Oregon requires for a CHL.

In the People's Republic of Portland, as a person who does not drive a car, I almost felt it was necessary to obtain a CHL before I had met those moral obligations. The alternative was carrying a literally disassembled firearm with unloaded magazines in a backpack with luggage locks to probably be sure someone could not claim I was illegally carrying a concealed weapon on my way to the range. That's ridiculous and it probably wouldn't be necessary to go to quite that extreme. Probably. But you never know in this socialist freakshow.

As to Oregon's legal requirements… So long as you can satisfy the moral obligations, I personally don't care what you do to satisfy the legal ones. Before I got my CHL, given my unique circumstances the instructor asked me if I would be willing to demonstrate some live fire. He was hesitant to sign off that I was safe with a pistol otherwise. I agreed to that, and he waived the course fee when I demonstrated proficiency. So I'm glad I did it the way I did, personally.