Interested in becoming an NRA Instructor

[TaurusPT140]

Hey all,

I'm new here to highroad.org and even pretty new to the sport of shooting. I'm just starting my second year of NRA membership and I'm really feeling a call of getting more involved to help protect our 2nd amendment. I was thinking of taking a class to get my CCW (Colorado), but then I noticed for the same price I could get NRA certification to teach. (It would also satisfy the CCW requirements)

Could any one give me information of what is required (I've heard something about having to carry NRA insurance) and what pracitical requirements (shooting) I would need to demonstrate.

Thanks so much...


Rob

 

[FPrice]

Rob,

Several of us recently took an NRA Instructor's Course here in Massachusetts and I can probably answer a few of your questions. Here is that thread:

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=45587

The first requirement is that you really need to be very familiar with and proficient in the use of firearms. Not necessarily a top competitive shooter, but able to handle a wide variety of firearms safely and competently since you will be teaching new shooters how to do the same. Since you may very well be one of the first shooters they encounter, you need to be familiar and confident in what you do and how you present yourself.

The second "requirement" is that you should be at ease presenting material that is new to your students. In other words, some teaching or public speaking experience is very helpful. Do you feel comfortable standing up in front of a group of strangers and instructing them in an area they are completely unfamiliar with?

If you are a member of a local gun club, or whatever Colorado state organization represents gun owners, they are two good sources for information on local courses to develop NRA Instructors.

My last bit of personal advice is that perhaps you may want to wait a while, get some more shooting experience under your (gun) belt and then revisit this decision. You should probably NOT try get an NRA Instructor rating in order to satisfy another requirement. You should get the rating because you really want to teach other people how to shoot safely and competently the NRA way. If you don't want to do this then you are wasting your time and the Course Instructor's time.

But if you do decide this is what you want to do then I wish you luck. It's a great feeling to help introduce new people to our sport and you can make a great difference in many peoples lives.

 

[cracked butt]

Another requirement:
You must teach at least one course per year in order to keep your certification. This one kind of bit me, because a month after I took the Rifle Instructors course, my job changed and I had to move 100 miles away from where I was. Finding and moving into a new house and adjusting to my new job schedule, left me very little time to seek out a new gun club, let alone teach a class.

 

[TaurusPT140]

FPrice,

Thanks for the information. Although I am new to sport (2 years) I feel I've really gained valuable experience in that short time. I go to my range 2-3 times a week, shoot several types of handguns and rifles and am the biggest stickler for safety first. I don't think I was very clear in my descripton of why I wanted to get certified. I'm already going to pay for a class to get my CCW, so my feeling is instead of just doing something for me, why not get trained so I can help more people understand gun safety. As far as teaching, I've been some sort of pastor (youth/associate) for the past 8 years, so I can handle speaking in front of people.

You're right that I may want to wait a bit since the idea popped into my head a few weeks ago and I still need to make sure it's what I want to do. I was just looking for information to help process the idea. Could you tell me about the insurance policy? Someone mentioned to me in passing that I would need to carry insurance if I was a Range Officer or NRA Instructor.

Thanks!

Rob

 

[The Reaper]

cracked butt

The NRA changed the one class a year requirement to a one class in three years requirement. They did this in 2002 IIRC. I only found out because to add a new discipline I had to retake BIT, because I hadn't had it since 2002.

TaurusPT140

You will need a BIT (Basic Instructor Training) session first. They teach you how to present NRA materials and how the NRA training system works. A lot of TCs (Training Counselors) will offer this in conjunction with a discipline course.

The insurance is not a requirement, but is offered by an NRA affiliated insurance company. They can offer you basic liability up through professional liability policies with varying levels of coverage. While not required I would highly recommend it. You basically assume responsibility for your students while they are in your class.

Once you have your NRA Instructor certification you can become a Boy Scout Merit Badge Counselor. I threw that out since you mentioned your involvement with youth. Also you can take the RSO (Range Safety Officer) course as a home study.

Best of luck

 

[mdsteele]

Yup. I Just renewed mine for three years. I was under the impression that I had to do a class.

Glad they changed the rules, I have not had one call for the NRA course.
I have had a pile of people calling for CCW.

 

[RANash]

TaurusPT140,

You and I have a lot in common. I also have served as youth pastor and pastor. I also got into pistols just about 5 years ago.

Recently I took the class and became an NRA instructor in Basic Pistol, because I am introducing quite a few people into the sport of pistol shooting, and decided that I needed to do a better and more complete job of it. The more people that are shooting, the more people who will cherish and protect our 2nd Amendment rights. Besides, it's fun.

I completely agree with FPrice. I would add that you shouldn't take the Instructor's course instead of the CCW, but in addition to it. The NRA class is NOT oriented to concealed carry, or defensive use at all. Before carrying, you should get the info from the CCW course. Even better, take a defensive pistol course from an excellent school or instructor before (or at least shortly after) you start to carry. Trust me, it won't be wasted. It will make you a better NRA instructor as well as equipping you for concealed carry.

 

[FPrice]

TaurusPT140...

"Could you tell me about the insurance policy? Someone mentioned to me in passing that I would need to carry insurance if I was a Range Officer or NRA Instructor."

It is not mandatory, but it is certainly a good idea. I don't know too much myself as I just completed my course. I am going to be looking at my primary insurance company (USAA) to see what they would charge. Just have to make sure it covers you in all instances.

 

[Greybeard]

FWIW, I have found the NRA "First Steps" pistol classes to be good for busy "newbies". Relatively short, concise and limited to max. 4 students.

I've done a number of students that way. Most went on with further practice and eventually took our CHL course, yet others took the "orientation" just for the knowledge and/or recreational shooting.

 

[cracked butt]

Is the BIT a new course? I've never heard of it before taking the Basic rifle instructors course. In the rifle course they did a pretty good job of teaching how to present materials- it was actualy about 1/2 of the classtime.
I took the Basic rifle instructor's course in '99.

 

[The Reaper]

BIT is the Basic Instructor's Training Course. It is a prerequisite for any instructor level training. Most of the time it is not broken out separately from the instructor level course just to make it easier. In the past, once you have your instructor card you are not required to take the BIT again, however with the 2002 change all the Training Counselors I know are having everyone retake the BIT.

I just moved and don't have all my materials unpacked or I would give you the number and stuff off the book. If you definitely want it send me a PM and I'll make an effort to get to that stuff.

Also as of at least last week or before when you order your student materials the customer service rep will ask you if you have the new version of the BIT Course book.