Agreed 100% - IMHO - Nobody should get a firearms licence without a hands-on practical exam.... The fella that taught my son's course was telling me, "he does everything in his power to ensure that all his students pass the exams fairly, but there have been a handful of people throughout the years that he has had to fail due to their poor handling skills".... saying "some people should just never be allowed to handle a loaded gun".
The same might be said for the boaters exam as well.... Just like a drivers licence.... just because you can pass a written test does not mean that you are capable of safe driving or safe boating.