Free handgun license to carry class offered for law enforcement, first responders and family

In response to the violent events across the country and around the world recently, one local gun instructor is hoping to help those who help keep us safe.

“Given recent events for law enforcement and that they’re going through what they’re going through,” said Vicente Daniel, “I wanted to make an effort to keep them as safe as much as they keep us safe.”

Daniel is a Texas License to Carry instructor and owner of First Strike Concealed Industries. He’s waving the usual fee he charges to take his license to carry class next weekend for all law enforcement, first responders and their immediate families. Depending on the instructor, such classes can run about $100.

“It’s not just the officer that keeps us safe, it’s the family,” Daniel said. “Because they have to have their moral support. And if their moral support isn’t there for them, then they’re not there for us.”

You may wonder why a police officer, who already can have a gun, would need a license to carry.

“When they leave their work environment, they’re really not allowed to carry anything but their service pistol and their credentials,” Daniel said. “If they want to carry their personal pistol that’s not their service-qualified pistol, they’re not allowed to.”

Daniel said he’ll be able to handle however many people sign up for his class July 31, giving law enforcement officers, first responders and their immediate families to learn more and get certified with how to handle a handgun.

“All I ask for is the students that come to participate of course cover their own ammo, their own pistol, any range costs as well as safety,” Daniel said. “It’s not about the money. It’s about keeping the community safe. And by keeping the people who keep us safe safe themselves, then that just makes the whole community better.”

If you’re interested, the class for law enforcement, first responders and their immediate family will be July 31 at 12:30 pm. You must bring law enforcement or first responder credentials or have the person who does poses them with you to qualify for the free class. You are asked to pay your own range costs, and bring your own ammo, pistol and eye and ear protection. To find out more including the location, you can call 915-238-8147 or email Vicente.Daniel@FSCI.co.