How do you become a CCW instructor?

[Professor Gun]

I have been wondering what is necessary to become an instructor for the classes that most states with shall issue concealed carry laws require? I am a Wisconsin resident, carry NRA certification as a pistol, rifle, and shotgun instructor, also am lead instructor of a hunter safety education group here, hold concealed carry permits from two states, and have been teaching professionally at universities/colleges for almost 30 years. I think that as time goes on Wisconsin will join the shall issue CCW states and I would like to help interested parties recieve their CCW by running classes. I would not be looking at this as a big money making venture, would be doing it more because I believe in the right of self defense and I believe in firearms rights. A friend who is a LEO is interested in teaching with me.

I would like to hear your thoughts, opinions, and suggestions.

 

[Trebor]

Short Answer: It will depend on what requirements Wisconsin sets up for training and certification of instructors if a CCW law ever goes into effect in that state.

Follow the legislative process and be aware of whatever training requirements will be enacted both the CCW applicants and for instructors. Than work to make sure you meet those requirements.

A NRA Pistol Instructor certification is a good start. Are you certified for Personal Protection in the Home? It is likely that the PPITH class, possibly with some additional material added, would satisfy requirements at the state level. I'm not familiar with the details of the Wisconsin bills though, so check that for yourself.

It's also possible that Wisconsin will require some sort of "in state" certification for instructors. Other states are set up this way.

As far as practical matters go, start hunting now for places to teach classes for when the time comes. Ranges are harder to find then you'd think as most already either have their own staff instructors or are private clubs and won't allow outside instructors in. Classroom locations are much easier to find. The Ganer Mountain Lodge is good because it's free and you can advertise in the store. You can always rent a hotel conference room in a pinch as well.

 

[phorvick]

1. Wisconsin does not have any CCW law

2. you can become an instructor for some States permits as follows:

a. Minnesota; take a class from a certified firm that is authorized to train instructors under the MN Permit Law; I am in MN and am so certified to train MCPPA instructors; actually, I will be in Mpls on the 26th and would be available for a training session, see my website for details

b. use your NRA certification to get approved as a Utah Instructor (see the Utah web site for details); the Utah permit rivals FL in the number of States it is honored; you could give the Utah class and your students can (at least today) then carry in MN ..your neighbor; one of the advantages of the Utah process is that it does not require applicants to have completed a shooting qualification, thus making the class a fairly simple process to conduct in a place like a Gander (or your home for that matter) as you do not need any range access.

c. the Florida process for its training component is met, I believe, by proof of NRA pistol training; i.e., you can offer the NRA Basic Pistol class and your students can use that certificate to apply for the Fl non-resident Permit

http://shootingsafely.com

 

[Professor Gun]

Yes, I am aware Wisconsin does not yet have a shall issue law, I have been very involved in the fight to get one, however, I think it will happen at some time in the future and I would like to be ready to start running courses when that happens.

I do have NRA certification already in Home Personal Protection along with the pistol, rifle, and shotgun certification. I belong to a private shooting range that would allow me to hold classes there, I also have access to classroom space in some VFW halls as well as the clubhouse at the shooting range.

I have started checking out some websites of some people that offer instructor training in MN, there seems to be a wide disparity in what they offer as well as the impression that some of them are more oriented to increasing their bank accounts rather than provide good training. Thus my confusion/suspicion on this.

 

[Rockstar]

Maybe they'll follow the lead (yeah, I know it's Wisconsin and it ain't gonna happen) of the REAL "shall issue" states and not require any instruction at all.

 

[Monkeyleg]

Professor Gun, I would suggest that you hold off until next year, when we know who the governor is (please, let it be Walker or Green) and whether we have Republican majorities in the assembly and senate.

The reason I suggest this is that there is currently no NRA-certified course that would satisfy the training requirements under our now-vetoed bill, with the exception of the personal protection outside the home course. At 20+ hours, it's too intensive and expensive.

When we get a bill passed and signed into law--and we will--NRA instructors will come up with a course that meets the requirements, but only takes eight or so hours and costs perhaps $100.

Currently, the AACFI course that's being offered for MN non-resident permits would satisfy the training requirements under the WI bill introduced this year. And that's only a six to eight hour course.

During the 2003 legislative session, I was very frustrated with WCCA volunteers who were spending their time and resources preparing themselves to be instructors, instead of putting their time into trying to get the governor's veto overridden.

Please don't take offense at the comment, because none was meant.

When we get a bill passed and signed, the DOJ will have four months to get the system up and running. That's plenty of time for instructors to set up courses and get them certified.

Horse before the cart.

 

[Professor Gun]

Yes, Monkeyleg, you make sense. I am at the point of just looking into what might be required so I can have an idea of what will be needed.

I understand your frustration with some of our "supporters" on the most recent PPA and the attempt to override the veto, no offense taken, I know I wasn't among those. I have always been politically active, but plan to work even harder to do my part this year to get rid of Doyle as well as our local "representative" who voted against PPA. That is definitely our first and most important step.

 

[Trebor]

Monkeyleg,

Where did you get your info on the NRA "Personal Protection OUTSIDE the Home" Course? I can't get the NRA to give me any info on it or when it will be released to instructors. The last they told me was they were waiting for approval on the final curriculum before they released it. I've been asking the training division about it for a couple years now. I haven't heard anything about the length of the course or if it will ever be released.

 

[Monkeyleg]

Trebor, I was told that by NRA instructors. They didn't mention that the course didn't exist yet. They figured it would be 20+ hours, though.

 

[Trebor]

Ok, thanks.

I know the Personal Protection Outside the Home course has been designed. I know that at least one test class was held by NRA staff a couple years ago. So far though, they haven't released the course to the Training Counselours. They'd be the ones to certify the NRA Instructors in this new course.

I've called the NRA Training Division several times to ask about this. At one point they said they'd release the course as soon as they finished taking photos for the course book. Another time they said they were waiting for the books to actually be printed. Those calls were about two years ago and last year. The last time I called they relunctantly agreed that they didn't know if the course would ever actually be released. They didn't want to discuss why or why not though and I didn't press it.

I hadn't heard the 20+ hour rumor. The last I talked about it with my Training Counselour, we were expecting a format similiar to PPITH that would take 8-12 hours to teach. (The NRA estimates of how long it takes to teach a class are pretty optimistic. Class discussions and the legal portion tend to turn the nominally 8 hour PPITH class into a 12 hour class. That is including the range time though).

Personally, my belief is that the NRA has quiety decided not to release the PPOTH class. I don't think they'll ever make a public announcement though.