Training Regiment is a training company operating with the focused intention to improve the average citizen’s ability defend self, and others, through life-altering emergencies. It is Training Regiment’s belief that handgun ownership requires one to be well-regulated. In our context, well-regulated simply means well trained and proficient in the tasks, drills, and responsibilities required to navigate an unplanned violent encounter or natural disaster. To meet that goal, we believe all citizens should be able to receive incentivized, decentralized, graduated training in firearms skills and tactics. This is our proposal for the State of Texas firearms training reformation and expansion.

Need.

Constitutional Carry

Constitutional Carry, while welcomed by many in the sphere of firearms sales, has had a negative impact on firearms training companies. Further, it is our belief that simply allowing one to carry a firearm on the 2nd Amendment grounds that the “right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed” ignores the other half of the 2nd which clearly indicates that continual firearms training and education is required for one to effectively bear arms; “Well Regulated” from our perspective simply means, “Be well trained”.

The logic is that to own a firearm is simply not enough to consider oneself proficient enough to employ a firearm in defense of the nation, or self - in a modern context. Constitutional Carry ignores what all branches of the United States Military and every police force in the country know: ownership is not enough. Training is required. Trained individuals should have greater ease of access to a wider range of firearms than is currently on the market - namely NFA items.

Challenge.

This begs the question: How can a governing entity convince, without compelling, the body-politic to embrace the civic responsibility of being well trained?

Solutions.

Incentives must be associated with every training course. These incentives must be tangible, legal, and immediately redeemable upon successful completion of a given training course.

A graduated licensure program would meet these goals. The proper way to imagine such a licensure program is to think of a public, decentralized, free firearms university where courses result in tangible benefits upon completion. For example, if a handgun owner completes various low-light training from an approved Texas License to Carry instructor, the student leaves the class with a voucher to help reduce the cost of purchasing a weapon light. Is this a perfect example? No, but it serves to illustrate the incentive-driven approach to training.

Would you like a voucher to purchase to buy a suppressor? Successfully complete the Texas Advanced Close Quarters Tactics course with a Licensed Training Provider and get a voucher to cover the cost of the tax stamp. This is a basic pitch. This area needs substantial development and review.

Major Challenge.

Instructors will need to attend training events, become certified to teach various licensure courses, and be financially compensated for completing training. There would also need to be a training certification database to house electronic versions of earned credentials for each trainer and trainee. It’s critical that training follow the current model of LTC licensure in Texas. Having Texas DPS train average citizens for licensure will certain be viewed as “building a registry.” Demonstrating the public benefit will be paramount to launching and sustaining this proposed initiative.

Costs associated with developing a training infrastructure may be substantial. Instructional Designers with a deep understanding of Adult Learning Theory should be consulted for development of training objectives and course construction. Firearms and law enforcement trainers do not generally possess the educational expertise to launch such an endeavor, but should be consulted for curriculum purposes by instructional design teams as Subject Matter Experts.