Arizona CCW Class Review
Charles Heller, Tucson, AZ

   For those who are interested in a professional CCW class in Tucson, or Southern Arizona, Charles Heller offers an interesting and complete course. He is a radio talk show host so as you might expect, he is easy  to hear, and understand. Charles knows his subject matter and course outline, so his class is interesting and well paced.  He is not slow or too fast and he leaves room in his schedule for questions. He uses notes as a guide but knows his subject back and forth and is able to keep the class moving without any distracting pauses or extended breaks (non-smoker).

Charles offers to instruct at your  location, or at his home. He's easy to find on the East side of Tucson, just off Kolb road. Parking was not  a problem  for our  class of  10 or so students. His living room is well lit and more comfortable than most classrooms. The students shot their qualifications and were fingerprinted at the Marksman on 29th street about 5  miles away

From Charles' website: The purpose of the CCW class is to allow you a means of living your life in a more safe and confident manner. It provides the training that most people will newer get, mostly about the use of force in self defense. CCW permit training classes are held usually the last weekend of the month. Normally, I Start at 5 PM Friday night until 10 PM, then start Saturday from 9 AM to 6 PM, and then Sunday at the range from 3 PM until 5 PM. The class covers use of force in self defense, safety with the defense tool, (known in my class as a rescue device) carry methods, firearm selection, draw, dealing with law enforcement after the use of force, situational awareness, preparedness, range etiquette, and gun cleaning. It is everything the novice needs to go from basic knowledge to a safe street carry of a concealed  defense tool, if they do their part. At the end of the class there is a written and a shooting test. You do not need to own or bring a firearm to the class to participate. At the range it is a good idea to use your own rescue tool for qualification, but I have some you can borrow at no charge if you wish. I only ask that you pay for whatever ammo you use. Permit usually takes a week to two weeks to arrive from the state, and costs $65 from them. Price for my class is $80, plus the range fees. Police departments usually charge about $5 for your fingerprints, also required.

	Charles is a radio show host. Talking professionally lets Charles communicate efficiently  and  effectively. He's comfortable with his subject and his  tools.  There was  little  time wasted in his class looking for props, or references. While the class was  full of  information and used the full amount  of time we were there, it didn't get boring or too fast to keep up
	Charles uses a few visual aids and real life stories to help explain concepts such as bullet type, security and to help illustrate some of the fundamentals such as how a bullet works.
	Students  used training guns (non working replicas used for training)  to get used to  the sights before heading to the shooting range.   The  class I  sat in with was only two guys and 5 girls, two more girls from a prior class sat in for a few hours as well.  I feel I  should comment on the fact that while Charles did alter the course in a minor  way to mention a few more options  in holsters for the ladies (which he did have examples of)  he didn't run the  class any differently than he  would have with an all male class.
	On the second day the class lecture finished and we adjourned to the shooting range. This class was held at Charles' home on the East side of  Tucson, and we went  to the Marksman on 29th street to do the shooting qualification, fingerprints and some final instruction with the firearm. The range is just a few minutes away
the Marksman you can enjoy the excitement of live shooting in a safe, supervised environment. The Marksman can provide all the materials for your shooting needs; from ear and eye protection, ammunition, targets and rental firearms. You may shoot your own firearm or choose from one of ours. After your time out on the shooting range, relax in the lounge area or shop for all of your firearm needs in our full retail store.
	Charles runs a flexible class, a couple of students from a prior class sat in to  complete a  few hours of lecture they had missed then met us at the range  to do their shooting qualifications. They rented a Sig Mosquito  (.22lr) and shot their qualification while our class filled out the fingerprint cards and had their  prints done
	Fingerprints were  taken care of at the range. And took just a few minutes.
	Classes held once a month Custom classes available $80 if you come to my class $90 plus travel if  I come to you State charges $65 for permit Renews every five years Renewal class 4 hours, $40 No gun registration on permit

Knowing Charles  for  a few  years, and knowing how active he is in the AzCDL a group that fights hard  for CCW rights in Arizona, I expected  his class to be good, and full of information on the legal aspects of AZ CCW. I was surprised to hear how interesting he was able to make the subject matter. Using real life experiences and a few current news items, Charles skillfully covered the  required curriculum and items on the written test and went beyond the minimum requirements to ensure his students had  a comfortable knowledge of the responsibility they will be taking on as a concealed  weapon carrier

Some points  Charles covers which I  haven't heard from other CCW courses I've attended include taking copious notes, then making a photocopy for  your records, but sending the original set of notes  to yourself via  certified  letter and not opening them, for  later use in court should you ever  need to defend your right to use force.

Charles also suggested setting up a 'phone tree' to use if you are ever taken into custody. On this subject Charles also offered some interesting advice  on how to deal with  your phone call, keeping an officer in the room with you  and what points to be sure  to include in that phone call

If you do not already have a Arizona Concealed Carry Permit to carry Weapons then Charles Heller's course is worth attending to get your permit. However if you already have your CCW you might consider attending Charles  class  as a refresher, I have  taken a half dozen CCW classes so far and  I still learned  new things in this class

Charles Heller can be reached his Liberty Watch website or 520-419-2500 (message)

Charles  is  the current Secretary and one of the founding members  of the  AzCDL - Arizona Citizens Defense League AzCDL was founded by a group of local activists who recognized that a sustained, coordinated, statewide effort was critical to protecting and expanding the rights of law-abiding gun owners. As a like-minded coalition of activists, the AzCDL founders were instrumental in the successful passage of the first major improvement to Arizona’s CCW (concealed carry) laws since they were instituted in 1994. AzCDL believes that the emphasis of gun laws should be on criminal misuse and that law-abiding citizens should be able to own and carry firearms unaffected by unnecessary laws or regulations. Towards that end, we are pursuing the following legislative improvements: “Constitutional Carry” – The right of law-abiding citizens to carry a firearm openly or concealed. Restoration of “Affirmative Defense” – The right of presumed innocence in a self-defense situation. Stronger State Preemption – Firearms laws should be consistent throughout the State. Fewer restrictions on the lawful carrying of firearms on Public property (buildings, parks, etc.). Explicit 3rd Party Storage Requirements when entering a posted “No Guns” facility. Liability responsibility for property owners who ban firearms. Universal Recognition of CCW (concealed weapons) permits issued by other States. Improvements to CCW laws. “Restaurant Carry” – The ability of law-abiding citizens to dine out while carrying a firearm.