We are at that point where many CCW holders (PTC – Permit to Carry in NJ) are RE-qualifying. Many are asking what the process is, thinking it will be different than the qualification procedure. However, the requalification is basically the same as the qualification procedure. This isn’t my idea, it is New Jerseys. They haven’t indicated anything other than a repeat of the CCW qualification process. You might ask yourself, where do they get this from? To me, it’s just what the state does when re-issuing licenses. It also comports with the manner in which Law Enforcement and retired law enforcement re-qualifies.
What is Requalification?
In broad general terms a requalification is defined as a “process for periodically verifying that individuals performing covered tasks remain qualified in accordance with a program”. To break this down, there are a set of standards that are established, then “re-qualifier” performing the standards and then another third party to verify the performance was completed correctly. The third party is Us. And just in case you used your handgun to defend yourself, we would demonstrate that you “requalified” or performed a test to a given set of standards, as a third party. Think about how important this is. You just used your handgun to defend yourself and now you have to demonstrate that you have met the standards of law by using force correctly, and abiding by the concealed carry laws, to include the requalification standards. Is this really something you would want to dilute or just get through?
By comparison in NJ, a cosmetologist undergoes 6 hours of continuing education in regulations, 3 hours in social and cultural experience and if it’s your first renewal another 20 hours of continuing education in standards. All of this to ensure that the customer is not harmed. According to national standards, a welder goes through a 2 to 4 hour certification for each type of metal and equipment. Good welders need to know how to weld all kinds of metals; mild steel, heat treated steel, galvanized steel, stainless steel, titanium and aluminum, scheduled pipe, to name a few. Then there’s the welding processes, stick welding, TIG, MIG, etc. That’s a 2-4 hour process for each material and tool. All of this is done to make sure that a pipe under pressure, with possibly a toxic substance, doesn’t explode or burst.
NJ CCW Requalification: An Overview
The NJ CCW requalification process should include the review of safe handling, prohibited areas, safe storage, and proper use of force, and then the actual firearms qualification. In covering this adequately, this equates to about 4 hours of training, every two years. Some of our social media friends indicate that this is excessive and they compared us to other ranges, who get you in and out in an hour and a half. The other range’s process includes reading over the Use of Force booklet and then you’ll complete a couple of warm-ups, dry-fire drawing, dry-fire, and then you’ll run though the qualification course.
This range charges $250 for non-members, we charge $175.00. We charge $175 and the duration is about 4 hours. From the dollars and cents perspective the other range charges you more and gives you less, just to get you in and out. This equates to $167/hr compared to $43.75/hr. It sounds to me that this range is charging the customers for a NY strip but serving a Whopper.
If you use deadly force, it’s highly likely you’ll be sued civilly. Do you really want to have to explain in civil court that you opted for a 1.5 hour requalification? Is this training really “court defendable”, does it really help defend you, or does it garner scrutiny and further examination? To me, it sounds “woefully inadequate” and maybe the jury will decide to add a couple extra zeros on the back of the award, because of the decision to “just get through it”. Is it really possible to cover the required Use of Force and other standards in 1.5 hours? There is a reason that we have the CCW requalification standards that we have. It’s to protect YOU, the PTC – Permit To Carry holder.