No Gun Safety Classes during shutdown

[MNIceMan]

Alright I get it, they make no money and are volunteers and likely will not hold any classes.

Though did this structure change in recent history? When my eldest took the class at bills a few years ago it was around $50, not the $15 that is currently being advertised, the class had about 50 some students and 4 instructors.

The DNR collects $7.50 for the materials and the instructors can add up to that amount to the cost of the class for materials like water for the field day or other materials. We ask for an additional $3.00 per student to cover shotgun shells and pidgeons. We always end up donating out of our pockets.

[ttousi]

Alright I get it, they make no money and are volunteers and likely will not hold any classes.

Though did this structure change in recent history? When my eldest took the class at bills a few years ago it was around $50, not the $15 that is currently being advertised, the class had about 50 some students and 4 instructors.

oops.........if true they were in violation of the law. The statute limits the class fee to 15.00 max.

Just completed a class under the new system.....the 7.50 is now paid directly to the state online with the instructor charging up to another 7.50. I charged an additional 5.00 per student which covered the cost of safety glasses,bottled water, extra ammo etc.

Note: the new DNR guidelines call for disinfecting safety glasses between students ........I chose to buy each student there own to take home with them.

[FredsBank]

This is one of those items that could do with LESS government intervention. Why in the world would this need direct government supervision? Jeez, we are all grown up now, why do they think we can't get along for a little while without them watching our every move.

[plblark]

I guess it depends what you mean by intervention.

Why is FAS necessary? The graph that strikes me is number of firearms injuries per year compared to number of students trained. It's quite eye opening. The more students trained, the fewer firearms injuries.

Why can't FAS classes continue in July and August, the months leading up to hunting, even with the Govt shut down? From a getting the work done standpoint, they COULD go on. From a funding the insurance which covers volunteer instructors from liability, they probably CAN'T go on.

IMnsHO

[jgalt]

This is one of those items that could do with LESS government intervention. Why in the world would this need direct government supervision? Jeez, we are all grown up now, why do they think we can't get along for a little while without them watching our every move.

I guess it depends what you mean by intervention.

Why is FAS necessary? The graph that strikes me is number of firearms injuries per year compared to number of students trained. It's quite eye opening. The more students trained, the fewer firearms injuries.

Why can't FAS classes continue in July and August, the months leading up to hunting, even with the Govt shut down? From a getting the work done standpoint, they COULD go on. From a funding the insurance which covers volunteer instructors from liability, they probably CAN'T go on.

IMnsHO

FredsBank's question has nothing to do with whether or not FAS classes are a good idea, can be correlated with positive results over time, or even whether or not they should be mandated by government. Rather, the question is why this needs to be run by the government. There is absolutely no reason why the FAS program (or almost anything else run by the government) cannot be run by some non-governmental organization, using the same or similar rules...

[Lady T]

Though did this structure change in recent history? When my eldest took the class at bills a few years ago it was around $50, not the $15 that is currently being advertised, the class had about 50 some students and 4 instructors.

I've been one of the FAS Instructors at Bill's for more than a 6 years now and I know we've never charged more than $15.00. We usually have 2 classes in Robbinsdale: one in May and another in August or Sept. For the last few years, the only way to sign up was on line through our website. We sometimes do accept walk-ins, either way the parents must attend the first night. If you were charged more than $15.00 on your cc card, I assure you it was a mistake and not common practice (hopefully )

Unless it was another outfit that just used our facility?? Any FAS classes can use either range for their shooting portion free of charge.

If it was us, I know this is very late in saying, but very sorry

LT

[Holland&Holland]

Though did this structure change in recent history? When my eldest took the class at bills a few years ago it was around $50, not the $15 that is currently being advertised, the class had about 50 some students and 4 instructors.

I've been one of the FAS Instructors at Bill's for more than a 6 years now and I know we've never charged more than $15.00. We usually have 2 classes in Robbinsdale: one in May and another in August or Sept. For the last few years, the only way to sign up was on line through our website. We sometimes do accept walk-ins, either way the parents must attend the first night. If you were charged more than $15.00 on your cc card, I assure you it was a mistake and not common practice (hopefully )

Unless it was another outfit that just used our facility?? Any FAS classes can use either range for their shooting portion free of charge.

If it was us, I know this is very late in saying, but very sorry

LT

No sorry nessesary, I thought it was a good value and was very happy with the instruction. It was 2008 in the spring and JT was the main instructor and did a great job with the kids. I sat through the first night and the field walk. I just thought that maybe the way these were handled changed at some point in the last 3 years was all.

[ex-LT]

I have not been invited to a DNR dinner since 2006. They do have my email.

I got a free pen last year for 5 years of service.

Then some kid stole it when he was filling out his forms.

Up north, they have a dinner every year. This spring my dad received a painting (IIRC, it was by Jim Hansel) for 30 years of service.

[gyrfalcon]

Note: the new DNR guidelines call for disinfecting safety glasses between students ........I chose to buy each student there own to take home with them.

Just wait till they want you to disinfect the rifles between use.... *wooops did I say that outloud?*

[DeanC]

You know what? Thanks to Dick Unger I have realized this is total bullcrap. Under the MN Constitution hunting and fishing are a right.

Sec. 12. Preservation of hunting and fishing. Hunting and fishing and the taking of game and fish are a valued part of our heritage that shall be forever preserved for the people and shall be managed by law and regulation for the public good.

They aren't issuing permits and they haven't promulgated their new rules. I guess the thing to do is follow last year's rules until they do something. It's too bad about all the lotteries and early kids' seasons.