So yesterday I was looking for some info on getting my OK HWL (currently have a UT permit) and went into a gun store to see if they had info on classes. While I was in there I was looking around and the prices made me start to feel a bit sick due to anger at how high they were price gouging. Things like $600 for 500rds of 5.56 or 7.62x39, over $40 for 50rds of 9mm, or base ARs starting at $1900 (most were $2000-2700). While browsing one of the workers tried to strike up a conversation and was stating how they have 300+ ARs in the back and he doesn't understand how everyone else is having issues with supply and bragging about how they supposedly have people from places like North Dakota and other states buying from them. Ignoring that and asking about my actual reason for being there (HWL classes) he told me that they do indeed have classes but even though I am exempt from shooting I would still have to pay the full price and that there is no law limiting it to $30 for the class portion only (couldn't use my cell phone in the store for "their safety and yours" and he had gone to lunch by the time I stepped outside, found the law, and went back in) and that if there was such a law then he didn't know if I would be allowed to take the class if I didn't pay the full $60 price and I would likely still have to go to the shooting portion even if I didn't have to shoot. While another employee stated that he was wrong and I would be able take the class at the $30 rate, the attitude of the first worker really just irked me.
While this is more of a rant than anything, has anyone else experienced similar things with their local gun stores?
Sorry to hear about your experience. I am an OSBI certified instructor. The state allows 8 reasons for exemption from the shooting portion and the state sets the price of $30 for students who are exempt from the shooting portion. In the few cases where I've had a student who qualified for the exemption, they wanted to shoot anyway and I allowed them to do so without paying for it. I'd be happy to have you in my class. information at
www.concealedcarrycoweta.weebly.com Hope this helps. Copied below is the state statute referencing the exemptions.
TITLE 21 § 1290.15 PERSONS EXEMPT FROM TRAINING COURSE
A. The following individuals may be exempt from all or part of the required training and qualification course
established pursuant to the provisions of Section 1290.14 of this title:
1. A firearms instructor registered with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation for purposes of the
Oklahoma Self-Defense Act;
2. An active duty law enforcement officer of this state or any of its political subdivisions or of the federal
government;
3. A retired law enforcement officer authorized by this state pursuant to Section 1289.8 of this title to carry a
firearm;
4. A CLEET-certified armed security officer, armed guard, correctional officer, or any other person having a
CLEET certification to carry a firearm in the course of their employment;
5. A person on active military duty, National Guard duty or regular military reserve duty who is a legal
resident of this state and who is trained and qualified in the use of handguns;12
6. A person honorably discharged from active military duty, National Guard duty or military reserves within
twenty (20) years preceding the date of the application for a handgun license pursuant to the provisions
of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act, who is a legal resident of this state, and who has been trained and
qualified in the use of handguns;
7. A person retired as a peace officer in good standing from a law enforcement agency located in another
state, who is a legal resident of this state, and who has received training equivalent to the training
required for CLEET certification in this state; and
8. Any person who is otherwise deemed qualified for a training exemption by CLEET.
Provided, however, persons applying for an exemption pursuant to paragraph 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 of this subsection may be
required to successfully complete the classroom portion of the training course. The classroom portion of the training course
shall not exceed a fee of Thirty Dollars ($30.00).