Hunter Ed student firearms experience

[JJD]

I was just wondering what other instructors were seeing in regard to the % of students in their classes who have no firearms handling experience at all.
Although I have never formally tracked it (I may start) over the years, I believe that my last class had about 30% who had never handled a firearm.
Our class is in a rural community, but are seeing more students from more populated areas as a result of, lack of class opportunity.
 
What have you been seeing in your classes recently?

[EmeraldBullet]

I just signed up for a class this next month. I have plenty of fire arm experience but I have no idea what to expect as I have never taken the class before. I hope it's not full of a bunch of people who don't know what they are doing.

[Bob33]

I teach in King County. I've never tracked it, but it's never been a problem for us. I would prefer that students take instruction from us rather than assume they already know it. Some of the worst cases of firearms handling we've experienced were from students who "knew better".

[pianoman9701]

In the classes I've done, most of the younger students have little to no firearm experience. At least if they do, they have little firearm safety experience. It usually doesn't have a negative effect on the end class result.

[2MANY]

I would like to thank you guys for providing your time and service.

My 9 year old will be coming soon.

[JJD]

We have very few students who fail the written exam.  Failure is usually in the skills eval.
I am trying to pare my class down a few hrs to meet the "recommended"  15 hr course.

I don't want to take away any of the time scheduled for firearms handling skills.  I am noting that more students are coming into class with no experience at all and really need additional hands on time to gain a level of competency.  I really hate failing students, but will not cheat the system in order to pass them.

Again, just wondered if what I am seeing is a trend, or just a coincidence.

Bob, we have some of the same issues.  Some times teaching students who know little is easier than helping someone unlearn a bad habit.  Finger on trigger comes to mind.

[safehunter]

 Just wondering when was your last class? Was it close to opening of the General season?
 I have never actually kept track either of students without any handling experience, but really never have noticed much of a difference when asked to students while on the FC.
 I have kept track on the number of female students in most of my classes and yes the % has really gone up over the years, usually around 30% for most classes! Another reason they are experimenting with female only classes. Remember this when referencing to father-son, grampa, uncle scenarios. I will try to bring up mother- daughter scenarios while speaking some.
 You spoke of students coming to class from out of town, I have had them drive for many hours also. I think most instructors have seen a rise in out of area students for their classes.

[Rainier10]

I have taught in Seattle and outside of Seattle.  I think that the number of people that are showing up not having handled a firearm before is about the same in each location and I would guess 15-20% have not handled a firearm before.