LEVELLAND – South Plains College will offer the Texas License to Carry a Handgun class on Sept. 2 (Saturday) in the Law Enforcement Technology building on the Levelland campus. The class will begin at 8 a.m. with breaks every hour as well as a one-hour lunch break.

The classroom portion covers firearm safety, the use of force, non-violent conflict resolution, lawful concealed or open carry, storage with children in the home, and contacts with law enforcement personnel. It also covers holsters for concealed and open carry, and runs about six hours.

The range portion covers range safety rules and commands, and the shooting portion of the class at distances ranging from three to 15 yards, using the indoor pistol range in the Law Enforcement building. The number of students will determine how long the range portion requires.  Inexperienced shooters might want to take an Introduction to Handguns course before taking the L.T.C. course.

Students will need to bring either a revolver or semiautomatic pistol, any caliber and 50 rounds of ammunition to match. Eye and hearing protection are provided for students who do not have their own. 

The instructor is Dr. Mike Felker, a retired SPC professor, NRA Advanced Pistol Instructor, D.P.S. certified LTC Instructor, and U.S. Concealed Carry Association Affiliate Instructor.

The cost of the course is $75 for students getting their first license, and $25 for students wanting a refresher course before renewing their license. The fee does not include the payment for the D.P.S. and F.B.I. fingerprint and background checks (reduced from $140 to $40 on Sept. 1). 

Although renewals are now handled strictly online, the changes in Texas firearms law since 2013 make a refresher course a good investment. Students need to register and pay in advance. Space is limited. 

To sign up, call Kasey Reyes at (806) 716-2341 or email kreyes@southplainscollege.edu.