Government Competition

On Facebook, there is an ad from the TWRA for their Enhanced Handgun Carry Permit class. The cost of the class is $8. Yes, you read that correctly - $8. Less than ten bucks. 

Most commercial schools are offering the class for around $75 or so. This author intentionally markets the class at twice that - $149, as there is a LOT more value. 

Sure, there are plenty of uninitiated individuals who will go for the TWRA option as it is cheaper. The faulty assumption is that all the EHCP classes are the same. While the material may be state mandated and the same, the instructor's depth of knowledge and ability to answer questions will be the determining factor. Plus, how many of these instructors can actually shoot well and teach you to do the same???

John Harris, President of the TFA, asks another pertinent question on social media:

"Why is TWRA in competition with the privately owned and operated state certified schools that are required to have state inspected classrooms, ranges and insurance?"

This author cannot confirm whether the TWRA ranges must be state inspected and approved. This author also does not own a qualifying range, but does partner with one. This author also does not own a qualifying school, but does partner with one - the afore-mentioned range. With firsthand knowledge of how much red tape must be overcome, and how much things cost the private owners of the range and school, Harris' question is very apropos. 

It is presumable that cost of the TWRA ranges is paid for by the state government. But, how is the fee being received by the TWRA for this class being accounted for? Without a doubt, this author firmly believes in paying a proper fee for a proper service or good - that is the basis of capitalism. But, when the government starts offering goods and services for sale - at a price much less than market - these tough questions must be answered. This can quickly appear as a "monopoly," and our laws expressly forbid such monopolies. 

What say you?