Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much does the class cost?
A: We charge $40 per person and have a five student minimum, though we try
to form up classes of at least six. A husband and wife taking the class
together cost $60.
Q: Why do you have a five student minimum?
A: Time and travel make teaching smaller
classes difficult. If you want to take a course and don't know any
others who would join a class, sign up for the mailing list on
scheduling and watch for a
course with open slots. If you can host a class and are OK with
having others join the class, let me know how many other students you
could handle.
Q: Why do you give a discount for married couples?
A: There are several significant advantages to having your spouse get a
permit at the same time you do, even if he or she never intends to carry
a firearm. You both learn about:
- Utah and US laws,
- safe storage requirements and options,
- what and how to teach children and other occupants of your home about firearm safety.
Q: Where and when is the class
taught?
A: We teach wherever you want in Utah valley or SLC valley, usually
in the home of one of the participants. The owner of the home or
building must give permission to have the course taught on premises and
for me to bring firearms into the class. Best time for the course is
9:00a-2:30p on Saturdays. If you need the class to be taught on
weekday evenings, we'll ask that we break the class up across two
consecutive evenings starting at 7:00p (teaching the entire class in one
evening leaves me wiped out the next day).
Q: How long does the course take?
A: Expect the course to take five hours. The State likes to see the
course takes at least four hours, but we find the course rarely ends in
less than 4½ hours.
Q: What is taught in the course?
A: You will learn about topics such as safe handling of firearms, Utah
and US law, handgun storage, and shooting fundamentals (e.g., grip,
stance, trigger-pull, and so on). See the
course outline for a more detailed list of topics.
Q: What do I leave the course with?
A: In addition to your newfound confidence given your increased knowledge and skill
<grin>, all students receive the
course outline (including pertinent Utah rules and regulations), a
Utah CFP application,
a
completed
ten-print fingerprint card,
and an envelope
addressed to Utah BCI that can be used to send in the application
materials. The only things you need to do outside of the course is
to have your signature on the application notarized -- which can be done
before or after the course -- and get a photocopy of your driver
license.
Q: Who can get a Utah Concealed Firearm Permit?
A: The Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) page at
http://publicsafety.utah.gov/bci/documents/ccwapp_002.pdf spells out the
requirements for obtaining a permit. You do not have to be a Utah resident to get the permit. If you are wondering if something in your past might keep
you from getting the permit, give BCI a call at 801-965-4445 and ask them about it. BCI is pretty good at giving you a clear picture as to
your eligibility.
Q: How do I apply for the permit?
A: There is a $65.25 application fee paid to the state which includes
the FBI charges for the fingerprint search. You need to
provide a "blue" fingerprint card, a passport-type photo with your name
on the back, a photocopy of your driver license, and have the
application notarized. Make sure you don't sign the application until
you are in front of a Notary Public. You can fill out the
application and have it notarized before the class if you wish.
We do fingerprints and
the passport photo as part of the class.
You will have to prove your identity when you are fingerprinted.
At the end of the course, I fill out the section of the application
showing you have obtained the Weapon Familiarity Certification. You can
send the application by mail, or deliver in person to:
|
Bureau of Criminal Identification |
Q: Why do *you* carry a gun?
A: Dave says "Because I can't carry a cop."
Q: Do I have to send in the application
quick?
A: You have one year from the date of my stamp on the application to
send it in. If you don't get it in during that time, you'll need
to retake the course. And yes... we have had people retake the
course.
Q: What about pistol training?
A: We highly recommend you get training. If you are looking for more intensive firearms training, we
recommend you take a look at
Front Sight
near Las Vegas. The four-day defensive handgun course is excellent
and you can find certificates for the course on sale on the Web (might
take a bit of hunting). There are also various firearms courses taught
at local gun ranges that will teach you the basics and beyond.
Q: I heard about a Student Survey... what is that?
A: There is a student survey
about CFP instructors at the BCI Website. We encourage anyone who has
taken a class from us, or from any other instructor for that matter, to take the short
survey. BCI really does care about improving the whole CFP process and
they would love to hear from you.
Q: What do I need to bring to the class?
A: An alert mind, your driver license, and cash or check for the class
fee.
Q: I cut my finger and it hasn't healed yet;
does that mess up the fingerprints.
A: Yes it does. You should wait until the cut has healed before
getting your fingerprints done. You can still take the course, of
course.
Q: I want to host a class—what
do I need to do?
A: Send an e-mail to
utahcfp@gmail.com to work out a time and place. You will be
asked if you are OK with having other prospective students invited to
the class. The best arrangement for teaching small classes is at a
table. For larger classes, a table for the instructor and chairs for the students works fine.
Q: Will we be handling real guns in the
class?
A: Yes. Remember, no live ammunition is allowed in the area while
the class is going on.
Q: Can I bring my own gun?
A: Yes, but we will personally verify it has no ammunition in it -- remember,
no live ammunition is allowed in the area while the class is
going on. Let us know if you are planning to bring your firearm. Once in a while, we've used
student's firearms for the gun cleaning portion of the class. ;)