What Would You Want Newbs to Know?

[U.S.SFC_RET]

The first I would like to teach is respect for the firearm. Then the four rules. Then how not to get impatient because repeating those four rules.
I would teach how to clear a pistol, rifle or a shotgun with my finger in the chamber.
This would be done long before the first shot goes downrange.

 

[Hikingman]

Reading about ballistics, range safety, or history? We should constantly thirst for more 'printed' words on a variety of topics including firearms development, safety, history....

 

[KBintheSLC]

What Would You Want Newbs to Know?

Merely having a gun does not make you safer. Just like having a Samurai sword does not make you a ninja.

Practice proper technique often if you want that gun to matter when you need it.


...

 

[zminer]

I've updated the first post again, and continue to appreciate the feedback. If anyone has suggestions for what else of substance should be covered - or any sub-topics underneath what's already listed - that would be very helpful.

Stay away from "propaganda" like your life depends on it - let every single thing you deliver in your class be completely unassailable fact

Thanks for pointing this out (and for your other suggestions as well) because this is exactly what I want to do. I want to try to separate as much as possible the facts of firearms ("What is the consensus of how to be safe with a firearm?" "What are the local laws regarding firearms?" "How does a firearm operate?") from opinions about firearms ("Who gets to decide what actions taken with firearms are safe?" "Who should be able to possess firearms?" "What kinds of guns should be accessible to the public?"). It gives the whole thing a lot more credibility when you can back up everything with an unbiased citation.

 

[2nd 41]

Semi Autos....do not load until the pistol function is fully understood. I know of accidental discharges from other people.

 

[Igloodude]

zminer, one other thing occurred to me - your general question (looking for class subject matter) would be an interesting one asked on a generally anti-gun forum. What do they feel is the most important thing to 'learn' (and I use that term loosely in this case)? Because you could innocently present facts that refute what they'd propose, assuming what they propose is either inaccurate or unsubstantiated.

 

[Trebor]

My suggestion is that you look into getting a NRA Instructor certification. The process of becoming an instructor is relatively straightforward and isn't really that difficult to do. The hardest part is often finding an instructor class near enough to attend.

Go to www.nra.org and look for the Training Opportunities page. You need to find a NRA Training Counselour. They are the "instructors who teach the instructors".

For what you want to do, even if you aren't actually including any range time, having a NRA instructor cert would help. Besides what you learn in the instructor class, it also speaks to your credability.

I was just approached by the local Republican Party to speak on 2nd Amendment issues at a local party meeting just *because* I'm NRA instructor and my name was mentioned by one of my students.

If you are going to approach civic groups, library groups, etc, and want to speak about firearms issues or gun control, it helps your credability to have some credentials in the subject.

(Granted, the anti-gun speakers might not have any credentials besides not liking guns, but we should be above that and offer more info and less emotion).

My advice: Get an instuctor cert, learn the NRA curriculum, learn more about RKBA issues in general and then decide what parts of the NRA class you'd want to incorporate into your presentations and what other additional info you'd want to include.

Remember, most speaking opportunities are going to have limited time for your presentation. Think 15 to 30 minutes, tops, for most cases, not hour long slide shows.

You'll also need a "slant" or specialized slice on the topic for your presentations and probably more then one. One time you might talk about general firearms laws in your state, another time you might be asked to speak about concealed carry, or another time you might be able to do a longer, more general, presentation on the mechanical history of firearms. Suit your presentation to your audience and their interests.

 

[rcmodel]

What Would You Want Newbs to Know?

Don't make a fool of yourself & all gun owners on YouTube right away.

rc

 

[KBT1911]

Never listen to the guy guarding the mall in SWAT uniform, wearing night vision goggles and a Glock strapped to each hip

 

[ezypikns]

While firearms are a blast (literally) to shoot,

and can possibly save your life, it doesn't hurt to be a little bit afraid of what they can do if used irresponsibly.


also, I really liked this:

Go have a chat with your buddies elsewhere - some of us are trying to get in some practice.

I think some people think they can talk the bullet to the bullseye.

Maybe it seems funny to some, but I see shooting as demanding quiet, attention (to what you're doing), and not a little introspection (thought).

 

[largecaliber]

Newby

The first thing I would say to someone new to weapons is go find someone with a lot of experience to help you before you even load the weapon. Go to a shooting complex or other and ask for help, someone will help you if you ask. Another way is to let the person know (if it is a gun store you buy it from) that you are a newby and ask if they know someone who could help you. Whatever you do don't just take the weapon for granted, load it and handle it thinking that you know enough about it to be safe because you will probably pay the price.