[Review] I Took a Concealed Coalition CCW Class: Here’s What I Learned 

If you want to carry concealed, we support that.

It’s a big responsibility, so we also strongly encourage getting professional instruction at least once a year and training regularly to stay sharp. A concealed carry class is a great place to start.

The problem with recommending CCW classes is that they vary from state to state and instructor to instructor. Recently, I got in touch with an organization that’s changing that. Concealed Coalition offers concealed carry classes across the U.S., so I enrolled in one to see what they’re like.

Follow along to see what I learned, and maybe sign up for a class of your own!

Concealed Coalition: Class is in Session

I’ve gotten a concealed handgun permit several different ways. Once, I emailed a picture of my DD-214 to the state DOJ and my license showed up in the mail four days later. In another instance, I attended a one-day course that was about half classroom instruction and half live-fire training on the range.

This time around, instruction focused almost entirely on legal matters related to carrying a concealed firearm and using one for self defense. There was minimal discussion of marksmanship or tactics – and that was by design.

Jody Picou, Concealed Coalition’s managing director and lead trainer, explained to the class that qualification and training are two different things.

Students develop knowledge in the classroom but it’s up to them to develop skill through shooting classes and regular practice, he said. 

The Concealed Coalition philosophy focuses on teaching students how to think, how to avoid trouble, and how to stay out of jail.

There’s plenty of time for training later. In fact, Picou made everyone in the class promise that they’d seek live-fire training in the future.

This class started with the four firearm safety rules. Then things got real in a hurry when the instructors asked students to write down five names of people they commit to being a guardian for.

I’ve been asked a similar question before. Who would you die for? For most people, the list is fairly long. But who would you be willing to shoot someone for, go to trial for, and risk life in prison for? I bet your list just got shorter. It’s an important thing to think about before you tuck a gun under your shirt and walk out the door.

Other important topics included less-lethal defense tools like pepper spray and tasers, where you can and can’t legally carry a firearm, and how to travel with a gun – even by airplane.

One of the most eye-opening lessons in the class was the home invasion role-playing exercise. The instructor acted as the 9-1-1 dispatcher while, one by one, students tried their hand at making a proper report.

To the students who were thinking on their feet, all their statements seemed truthful and benign. Around the room, heads shook in disbelief time and time again as students inadvertently incriminated themselves with statements that would have a defense lawyer ripping their hair out.

Afterward, the instructors gave us an example to follow. Long story short: get the essential, objective facts across and then quit yapping.

Since Nevada requires a live-fire qualification, my class ended with a written test and a trip to an indoor range where students could demonstrate proficiency under the supervision of the local instructor.

Finally, students left with passing credentials and step-by-step instructions on how to apply for their permit with the sheriff.

Looking for at-home education? Check out Concealed Coalition’s YouTube channel. There are videos on gun safety, concealed carry tips, state regulations, and even cleaning tutorials for certain firearms.

Responsible Gun Ownership May Involve Legal Protection

The instructors emphasised something we harp on too: the fact that laws change and it’s our job as gun owners to stay on top of them. They also put a heavy emphasis on the legal defense that’s almost certain to follow a defensive shooting.

A slide in the presentation hammered the message home. 

“The law has nothing to do with justice. Justice has nothing to do with truth. We only truly have the rights we can afford to defend.”

It’s a pretty dark perspective, but message received. 

One of the ways you can protect yourself after the physical fight is with support in the legal fight. Concealed Coalition partners with Firearms Legal Protection to offer students a discounted rate on access to firearm-specific lawyers on demand.

Some of Firearms Legal Protection’s interesting features include uncapped attorney fees for criminal and civil cases with no money out of pocket, legal protection that covers all legal weapons, and an all-hours hotline that puts you in touch with an attorney who can answer legal questions.

There are coverage packages for different budgets, and discounts for Concealed Coalition students.

Know Your State Requirements

Concealed Coalition offers courses in most states, and the list is always growing. You can check for classes in your area on their website.

Looking to travel? There’s also a live map that lets you see where your license to carry is honored along with fast facts that affect permit holders.

Courses are even available in many states that allow permitless or constitutional carry. I asked Picou how this affects attendance.

Interestingly – and very encouragingly – he said that attendance dips when a state enacts constitutional carry, but enrollment ticks back up and returns to normal over time. It’s good to see that gun owners value professional instruction and seek it out, even when it’s not mandated.

Concealed Coalition Instructors: Meet the Team

Concealed Coalition classes are led by a team of full-time traveling instructors. They handle the bulk of the curriculum – and somehow manage to make scary legal concepts fun to talk about for hours on end.

Of course, national instructors can’t possibly know every nuance of your state and local laws. They won’t have the latest numbers of permit processing times and tips on how to make sure your application goes smoothly. 

That’s why every Concealed Coalition class is a team effort with nationwide instructors and a local instructor who knows your state inside and out.

In my case, the local instructor was an FFL who answered questions about firearm selection, local training ranges, and how to submit applications to the sheriff’s office. 

He even gave me extremely detailed and helpful information about applying for out-of-state permits in California and Oregon – two neighboring states that are notoriously restrictive when it comes to gun rights.

CCW Gear Made Easy

Completing a CCW class is an important step toward carrying responsibly, but you’re going to need some gear, too. Here’s a quick reference guide for some of our favorites.

• Concealed Carry Definitive Guide
• Best Concealed Carry Guns
• Best Concealed Carry Holsters
• Best Gun Belts
• Best Gun Safes
• Best Concealed Carry Insurance

Going the Extra Mile With Less Shots Fired

In addition to concealed carry training, the Concealed Coalition team just stood up Less Shots Fired, an organization dedicated to reducing gun deaths in the U.S. through education, awareness, and empowerment.

Basically, safe firearm ownership isn’t difficult or complicated, but barriers like stigma and insufficient training make it harder than it has to be.

The goal of Less Shots Fired is to start conversations and make information available so gun owners, prospective gun owners, and even people who might oppose gun ownership can avoid conflict and accidents in the first place.

The curriculum will include a heavy emphasis on child education, so parents can teach their kids how to react when they encounter a firearm.

Have you attended a CCW course? Let us know in the comments. Looking for some helpful tips? Read up on 7 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Carried Concealed!