How To Become an NRA Certified Instructor
by Wendell Joost

Teaching NRA basic firearms courses is an excellent way to take RKBA to the general public - after all, the NRA is recognized as the nationwide leader in teaching basic firearms safety. Some instructors even say that teaching NRA basic courses is the ultimate in grassroots Second Amendment activism.

This article is an overview of the NRA basic courses and information on how to get certified as an instructor.

The NRA certifies instructors to teach a variety of NRA basic courses. These basic courses are the NRA's nationwide standard for firearms training. There are three main instructor training programs - the basic firearm instructor program (rifle, pistol, shotgun, personal protection, home firearms safety, muzzleloading and reloading) the Refuse To Be A Victim instructor program and the Eddie Eagle instructor program.

BASIC FIREARM INSTRUCTOR TRAINING PROGRAM

NRA Instructor training will probably take a weekend - it covers a lot of material, including information on coaching beginning shooters, how to teach, basic presentation skills, course organization, how to use the NRA lesson plans and a review of the NRA programs and course materials.

The basic courses that you can get certified to teach include Basic Rifle (14 hours), Basic Pistol (10 hours) and Basic Shotgun (10 hours.) Each of these courses covers safe firearm handling skills, firearm parts and operation, information about the safe and secure storage of firearms and ammunition, shooting fundamentals (and plenty of opportunities to practice them!) and a hands-on exercise where students learn how to clean a firearm with the guidance of an instructor. 

The NRA "FIRST STEPS" program is a three hour "orientation course" where a student learns the fundamentals about a single type of rifle, pistol or shotgun and spends at least one hour of range time one-on-one with an NRA certified instructor learning how to shoot that specific firearm.

The Home Firearms Safety course is an excellent course for novice gun owners of people interested in learning the basics of firearms safety. This four hour course covers safe gun handling, unloading and securely storing all the major action types of rifles, pistols and shotguns.

The Personal Protection course is a course that covers the knowledge and skills needed for the safe and effective use of a handgun for self-defense in the home. This 12 hour course even includes a two hour session with an attorney discussing firearms laws and the law pertaining to self-defense in your area. 

There are two new reloading courses available which teach reloading metallic cartridges or shotgun cartridges. Muzzleloader training is also available from NRA certified instructors for muzzleloading rifle, muzzleloading pistol or muzzleloading shotgun.

To get certified as an instructor to teach one (or more) of these basic courses, you need to attend an instructor training class. To find a class in your area, call the NRA Training Department's automated voice menu system at 703-267-1430 or go to the NRA web site at: http://www.nrahq.org and look under "Safety Education and Public Service" then look under "Education and Training" then "Find a Local NRA Safety Course." The direct URL is: http://www.nrahq.org/safety/education/find.cgi 

REFUSE TO BE A VICTIM INSTRUCTOR TRAINING

The three hour "Refuse To Be A Victim" seminar covers a variety of topics, including: the psychology of criminal predators, security in the home, on the phone, in your car, on the street and information about self-defense training and personal protection devices.

Instructor training takes place at a one or two day “Instructor Development Workshop.” To attend a workshop, you must complete and forward to the NRA a Refuse To Be A Victim instructor application - to get an application, or for more information about the program, call 1-800-861-1166 or e-mail refuse@nrahq.org. 

EDDIE EAGLE INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION

The Eddie Eagle course is taught in two different formats, the 45 minute format and the 5 day format (the 5 day format can be shortened to 1-3 days.) Those formats are taught at three different grade levels: Level 1: Preschool - Grade 1, Level 2: Grades 2 – 3, Level 3: Grades 4 – 6. The combination of 3 different grade levels and two different formats means that there are 6 different lesson plans that you can order.

To get certified as an Eddie Eagle instructor all you need to do is order the materials and take the "home study" instructor course. You can order the materials and lesson plans by calling 1-800-336-7402 or you can order them from the "NRA Store" online at: 

http://www.nrahq.org/store/store.cgi?list=Eddie_Eagle_Program 

If you have any questions about the Eddie Eagle program, Heidi Cifelli can be contacted via EMail at: eddie@nrahq.org Heidi is the program manager and has been with the Eddie Eagle program for four years and with NRA for 61/2 years. 

Teaching NRA courses is a fun and rewarding way of expanding our community of gun owners and preserving our Second Amendment rights. Please join the NRA instructor community in training the next generation of gun owners and voters.

Wendell Joost is an NRA certified instructor and Training Counselor (instructor trainer) and can be reached via email at: wendellj@oz.net

Editor's Note: The NRA's training program has much to offer, and many NRA instructors read our subscribe to our list and read this web site.  Any chance you guys could get to headquarters and tell them to STOP CALLING FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF 20,000 UNCONSTITUTIONAL, INFRINGING LAWS WHICH SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN PUT ON THE BOOKS IN THE FIRST PLACE?  Some of those laws put good people in prison just for carrying a gun to protect themselves!  Thanks for the article, and see if you can get the essence of the Real Second Amendment into the folks back at home office.  You're also welcome to counter any of the NRA Gripes you like, and we'd love to be shown why to fund the NRA Gun Control Measures, as well.  We'd also like any NRA Praise Items to post in that section of our site.  Use this form to submit them, and please make your submission Intelligent.  We love that the NRA is helping raise awareness in MANY ways about this issue, but until they stop supporting GUN CONTROL, we just can't send 'em one more nickel. ~~ KABA