The flippant comments we always see here totally miss the point.
I know people who took the concealed carry course to get a concealed that have no idea what the laws are regarding self defense.
On the other hand, I also dislike the idea of having to prove anything in order to purchase a gun of any kind.
It is a difficult problem.
I think the way it should work is that you walk in the store and buy a gun just as we did in my youth. No paperwork other than a bill of sale..
But if you ever get into a scrape where you need to use a gun, you better have proof that you made an effort to learn what the laws are. In other words, make attending some sort of class voluntary.
Actually I consider the concealed carry course sponsored by the NRA to be very inadequate.
A thinking person carrying soon decides that it is not so easy...for instance nowhere does the NRA course teach you how to decide if those three guys walking toward you in the mall parking lot are trouble. How to make them show their hand before it is too late and they are so close you have no time to draw....
Draw too soon and you are in jail even if you do not fire one shot. Draw too late and you are dead.
And 90% of the public thinks a warning shot at 50 yards is a good idea.
Here in SFL, bought my 1st handgun in the 80s. Paid the store owner and walked out with it. A Makarov 9x18. Love that pistol.