in contrast, I had to watch a 30 minute video and then attend an in person test where a guy just handed me a loaded, laser-sight handgun to shoot a target 7 yards (around 6.4 meters) away, which I could've done with 0 experience, like my wife did when we did it for fun (without the laser-sight).

I could've also just skipped all that if I just wanted to buy one and "conceal carry"* it by driving 20 minutes east to a different US state.

*it is illegal here, but if it is concealed, no one would know anyway.