Recently, I had a student enroll in one of my Enhanced Permit classes and failed the range portion of the class. This student was a former concealed carry class student. I usually offer to pay the range fees if any of my concealed carry students wants to take the enhanced class within 90 days. The student told me that they thought that the enhanced class was the next stage of training and that they weren't aware that the classroom portion is similar to the concealed carry class and that the range portion was simply to show proficiency with their handgun.
Permit classes are simply safety classes that cover a broad range of topics so that you can obtain your permit. In an enhanced class you have to qualify with a firearm. There is not enough time allotted in permit classes to train to a level of proficiency that is required to qualify. You should already be familiar with your handgun and have a working knowledge of how to fire it.
Training classes are designed to make you proficient with your handgun. In those classes you will learn to disassemble and reassemble your handgun, maintain it, carry and use it. These types of classes are hands on with a lot of repetitive training. It takes more than a couple of hours to become proficient. This type of training is best suited for stages of training conducted in two hour sessions over several days or weeks. My advice is for you to take a training course before you ever go to a permit class. Remember, if you carry or own a handgun, you have an obligation to yourself, your family and especially your children, and anyone else you come into contact with to be proficient in the safe maintenance, storage, carry and use of your handgun.
I cannot imagine any person, male or female, obtaining a concealed permit that could not show proficiency in handling and firing a weapon. I have had a concealed carry permit for many years and from the very first permit, I have always had to range qualify by showing proficiency with my weapon. What is expected is that if you have to draw your weapon in a critical situation that no one gets harmed by your "friendly" weapon. I would hope that the student who failed the range portion of the enhanced carry class has since gotten that training that they need since the class ended.
Charlie Liddell