NRA Course Descriptions

Ever wonder what the NRA teaches in its basic courses? This page is a summary of the most popular courses taught by the NRA. There is no substitute to good training in the fundamentals of any skill.

This page was not funded or endorsed by the NRA, but rather is an effort of one NRA-certified instructor to educate the public.

NRA Gun Safety Rules

Safety is the primary goal

Conscientious attention to these rules will prevent most, if not all, gun accidents. Be aware that ignorance and carelessness lead to accidents in all walks of life, including the handling of firearms.

Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction

If the gun should discharge, it should not harm any person or destroy any valuable property. Careful attention to muzzle direction is key to safely handling a firearm.

When carrying a firearm from place to place, the best way to control the muzzle is to keep it in your view.

Be aware of what objects can stop a bullet, and what ones cannot.

In NRA courses, and on shooting ranges, the instructor or range officer will explain and point out the safe directions available.

Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot

Under normal conditions guns do not discharge unless the trigger is pulled.

When holding or manipulating a gun, hold the grip firmly and place the trigger finger along the frame or receiver, not inside the trigger guard.

Always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use

Guns cannot be discharged unless they are loaded with live ammunition. There are many uses of guns which permit them to be loaded, but such firearms must always be under your control.

Guns not in use, but not stored, should have the action locked open so that anyone may inspect the chamber and magazine for live ammunition.

When handing a gun to another person, lock open the action (if possible) and check the chamber and magazine by sight and feel to ensure than no live ammunition is present. The person receiving the gun should also check.

Home Firearm Safety

Description

The NRA Home Firearm Safety Course is the basic course I recommend to anyone unfamiliar with guns or who needs a to learn gun terminology.

In this four hour course students will get the NRA's Home Firearm Safety handbook, pamphlets on safety and terminlogy and lessons on the rules of safe gun handling, identifying and unloading various firearms, ammunition, cleaning, and storage. Students will also get hands-on experience with the most common types of handguns, rifles and shotguns.

Course Goal

“To teach the basic knowledge and skills and to explain the attitude necessary for the safe handling and storage of guns in the home.”
NRA Home Firearm Safety Course Lesson Plans

Lessons

  1. Rules for Safe Gun Handling
  2. Identifying and Unloading Different Firearms
  3. Practical Exercises in Safe Gun Handling
  4. Types of Ammunition; Cleaning and Storage of Firearms

Prerequisites

The are no prerequisites for taking this course and the material can be understood by mature people of all ages.

Course Completion

Students will receive feedback on the practical exercises and a course completion certificate.

Basic Pistol

Description

A pistol, or handgun, is a firearm designed to be fired while being held in one hand. While such firearms are small and compact, they can be the hardest to learn.

The Basic Pistol course can be as short as ten hours. In it students will get the NRA's The Basics of Pistol Shooting handbook and intensive lessons in safety, gun handling, the various types of pistols, the fundamentals of pistol marksmanship, various pistol firing positions, several practical exercises on the firing range, cleaning, storage, and a summary of pistol sports and activities.

Course Goal

“To teach the basic knowledge, skills, and attitude for owning and using a pistol safely.”
NRA Basic Pistol Shooting Course Lesson Plans

Lessons

  1. Pistol Knowledge and Safe Gun Handling
  2. Ammunition Knowledge and Fundamentals of Pistol Shooting
  3. Firing the First Shots (includes cleaning and storage)
  4. Two-handed and One-handed Standing Shooting Positions
  5. Pistol Sports and Activities

Prerequisites

The are no prerequisites for taking this course, and the material is accessible to appropriately supervised mature children.

Course Completion

Students will receive feedback on the live-fire exercise and a course certificate upon successful completion of the lessons. Students will receive a “Basic Practical” rocker upon successful demonstration of firing a qualifying “group”. There is a short written test on the lesson material at the end of the course.

FIRST Steps Pistol

Description

FIRST stands for “Firearm Instruction, Responsibility, and Safety Training”, a program the NRA developed to meet the need for a firearms orientation program for new gun purchasers. This FIRST Steps program is a basic courses abbreviated to the most fundamental shooting skills, and the specifics of a particular model of pistol.

This course, because of its narrow focus, can be completed as quickly as three hours. Students will get the NRA's The Basics of Pistol Shooting handbook and quick practical lessons on the safe use, cleaning, and storage of their pistol. The practical exercise covers a single pistol shooting position. As the number of participants or pistol types present increases, the course will take proportionally longer.

Course Goal

“To provide beginning shooters with an introduction to the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to own and use a specific pistol model safely.”
NRA FIRST Steps Pistol Orientation Lesson Plans

Lessons

  1. Introduction to Pistol Safety, Parts, and Operation
  2. Introduction to Ammunition and the Fundamentals of Pistol Shooting
  3. Introduction to Pistol Shooting from the Benchrest Position
  4. Introduction to Pistol Cleaning, Storage, and Training Opportunities

Prerequisites

The are no prerequisites for taking this course, and the material is accessible to appropriately supervised mature children.

Course Completion

Students will receive feedback on the live-fire exercise and a course certificate upon successful completion of the lessons. Students will receive a “Basic Practical” rocker upon successful demonstration of firing a qualifying “group”.

Basic Shotgun

Description

A shotgun is a long gun designed to be fired with two hands. It has a smooth bore (the inside of the barrel) and is designed to shoot a variety of ammunition, ranging from a solid bullet, called a slug, to multiple projectiles, called shot. Shotguns are often used in bird hunting, and in the sports of trap or skeet.

The Basic Shotgun course can be as short as ten hours. In it students will get the NRA's The Basics of Shotgun Shooting handbook and intensive lessons in safety, gun handling, fundamentals of shotgun shooting, several practical exercises on the firing range, cleaning, storage, and a summary of shotgun sports and activities.

Course Goal

“To teach the basic knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for the safe and proper use of a shotgun in shooting a moving target.”
NRA Basic Shotgun Shooting Course Lesson Plans

Lessons

  1. Shotgun Knowledge and Safe Handling
  2. Ammunition Knowledge and Fundamentals of Shotgun Shooting
  3. Firing the First Shots (includes cleaning and storage)
  4. Shotgun Shooting Skills Practical Exercise
  5. Shotgun Games and Activities

Prerequisites

The are no prerequisites for taking this course, and the material is accessible to appropriately supervised mature children. Be aware that the proper fitting of a shotgun to a shooter can be time-consuming.

Course Completion

For best results, the shotgun shooting skills exercise is repeated several times, with feedback from the instructor.

Students will receive feedback on the live-fire exercise and a course certificate upon successful completion of the lessons. There is a short written test on the lesson material at the end of the course.

FIRST Steps Shotgun

Description

FIRST stands for “Firearm Instruction, Responsibility, and Safety Training”, a program the NRA developed to meet the need for a firearms orientation program for new gun purchasers. This FIRST Steps program is the basic course abbreviated to the most basic shooting skills, and the specifics of a particular model of shotgun.

This course, because of its narrow focus, can be completed as quickly as three hours. Students will get the NRA's The Basics of Shotgun Shooting handbook and quick practical lessons on the safe use, cleaning, and storage of their shotgun. The practical exercise covers a single position and type of target. As the number of participants or shotgun types increases, the course will take proportionally longer.

Course Goal

“To provide beginning shooters with an introduction to the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to own and use a specific shotgun model safely.”
NRA FIRST Steps Shotgun Orientation Lesson Plans

Lessons

  1. Introduction to Shotgun Safety, Parts, and Operation
  2. Introduction to Ammunition and the Fundamentals of Shotgun Shooting
  3. Introduction to Shotgun Shooting at Straightaway Targets
  4. Introduction to Shotgun Cleaning, Storage, and Training Opportunities

Prerequisites

The are no prerequisites for taking this course, and the material is accessible to appropriately supervised mature children. Be aware that the proper fitting of a shotgun to a shooter can be time-consuming.

Course Completion

Students will receive feedback on the live-fire exercise and a course certificate upon successful completion of the lessons.

Basic Rifle

Description

A rifle is a long gun designed to be fired with two hands. It has a rifled bore (thus the name “rifle”) and is designed to shoot a specific size of ammunition. Rifles are often used in game hunting and in long range marksmanship competitions.

The Basic Rifle course can be as short as fourteen hours. In it students will get the NRA's The Basics of Rifle Shooting handbook and intensive lessons in safety, gun handling, fundamentals of rifle shooting, several practical exercises on the firing range, cleaning, storage, and a summary of rifle sports and activities.

Course Goal

“To teach the basic knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for the safe use of a rifle in target shooting.”
NRA Basic Rifle Shooting Course Lesson Plans

Lessons

  1. Rifle Knowledge and Safe Handling
  2. Ammunition Knowledge and Fundamentals of Rifle Shooting
  3. Firing the First Shots (includes cleaning and storage)
  4. Standing Rifle Shooting Positions
  5. Prone and Kneeling Rifle Shooting Positions
  6. Sitting Rifle Shooting Positions
  7. Rifle Sports and Activities

Prerequisites

The are no prerequisites for taking this course, and the material is accessible to appropriately supervised mature children. Be aware that the proper fitting of a rifle to a shooter can be time-consuming.

Course Completion

Students will receive feedback on the live-fire exercises and a course certificate upon successful completion of the lessons. There is a short written test on the lesson material at the end of the course.

FIRST Steps Rifle

Description

FIRST stands for “Firearm Instruction, Responsibility, and Safety Training”, a program the NRA developed to meet the need for a firearms orientation program for new gun purchasers. This FIRST Steps program is the basic courses abbreviated to the most basic shooting skills, and the specifics of a particular model of rifle.

This course, because of its narrow focus, can be completed as quickly as three hours. Students will get the NRA's The Basics of Rifle Shooting handbook and quick practical lessons on the safe use, cleaning, and storage of their rifle. The practical exercise only covers a single firing position. As the number of participants or firearm types increases, the course will take proportionally longer.

Course Goal

“To provide beginning shooters with an introduction to the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to own and use a specific rifle model safely.”
NRA FIRST Steps Rifle Orientation Lesson Plans

Lessons

  1. Introduction to Rifle Safety, Parts, and Operation
  2. Introduction to Ammunition and the Fundamentals of Rifle Shooting
  3. Introduction to Rifle Shooting from the Benchrest Position
  4. Introduction to Rifle Cleaning, Storage, and Training Opportunities

Prerequisites

The are no prerequisites for taking this course, and the material is accessible to appropriately supervised mature children. Be aware that the proper fitting of a rifle to a shooter can be time-consuming.

Course Completion

Students will receive feedback on the live-fire exercise and a course certificate upon successful completion of the lessons.

Basic Personal Protection in the Home

Description

Unlike the other basic courses, the Personal Protection course covers defensive shooting. Self-defense is a topic somewhat distinct from the regular diet of shooting fundamentals, it can cover mindset, legal issues, decision-making under pressure, and planning for the worst. The Basic Personal Protection in the Home course is designed around the use of the defensive pistol.

Although the course can be completed as quickly as eight hours, the amount of information presented, and the probability of intensive question and answer sessions on the included topics, makes it likely that the course will take longer.

Students will receive the NRA Guide to the Basics of Personal Protection in the Home handbook and intensive lessons on basics of defensive shooting, issues of self-defense, and other strategies for protecting the home and family.

Course Goal

“To develop in the students the basic knowledge, skills, and attitude essential to the safe and efficient use of a handgun for protection of self and family, and to provide information on the law-abiding citizen's right to self-defense.”
NRA Basic Personal Protection in the Home Course Lesson Plans

Lessons

  1. Introduction to Defensive Shooting
  2. Basic Defensive Handgun Skills
  3. Firearms and the Law: Possession, Ownership, and the Use of Deadly Force
  4. Strategies for Home Safety and Responding to a Violent Confrontation
  5. Selecting a Handgun for Personal Defense
  6. Sport Shooting Activities and Training Opportunities
  7. Course Review and Examination

Prerequisites

Participants in the Personal Protection course should be experienced shooters, showing mastery of the basic skills of safe gun handling. If necessary, this course will put partcipants through a pre-course evaluation exercise, where potential students are asked to demonstrate safe gun handling, shoot a series of five-shot groups, discuss the operations necessary to zero a pistol, and demonstrate how to properly clean a handgun.

Participants are expected to show validation of shooting experience by showing an NRA Basic Pistol Course certificate, an NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program certificate, a Pistol qualification card, a DD 214 card with pistol qualification, or a Concealed Carry Permit.

Finally, the Personal Protection course is intended for mature law-abiding adults, who have the mindset and seriousness necessary to properly perform the activities in the course. Self-defense is not a topic that lends itself to horseplay and distractions.

Course Completion

Students will be given feedback on their shooting exercises, and a certificate upon successful completion of the lessons. Not only are shooting standards fired during the practical exercises, but a written exam will be given at the end of the course. Throughout the course the instructor will use a individual checklist for each student to ensure the coverage of course material, and satisfactory absorption of the material being taught.

Basic Metallic Cartridge Reloading

Description

The NRA Basic Metallic Cartridge Reloading course exposes students to the basics of reloading centerfire metallic cartridges with little or no prior experience in reloading.

Although the course can be completed as quickly as eight hours, the amount of information presented, and the probability of intensive question and answer sessions on the included topics, makes it likely that the course will take longer.

Students will receive the NRA Guide to Reloading handbook and intensive lessons on the basics of reloading.

Course Goal

“To provide beginning reloaders with the basic knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to safety reload metallic cartridges.”
—NRA Basic Metallic Cartridge Reloading Course Lesson Plans

Lessons

  1. Introduction to Reloading and Reloading Safety
  2. Centerfire Cartridge Components
  3. Using the Reloading Manual and Reloading Data
  4. Metallic Cartridge Reloading Equipment
  5. The Metallic Cartridge Reloading Process
  6. Basic Metallic Cartridge Reloading Practical Exercise
  7. Course Review and Examination

Prerequisites

The are no prerequisites for taking this course, and the material is accessible to organized and conscientious people. Be aware that attention to detail is a vital skill in safe reloading.

Course Completion

Students will receive feedback on the practical exercises conducted during the course. There is a short written test on the lesson material at the end of the course.

Basic Shotgun Shell Reloading

Description

The NRA Basic Shotgun Shell Reloading course exposes students to the basics of reloading shotgun shells with little or no prior experience in reloading.

Although the course can be completed as quickly as eight hours, the amount of information presented, and the probability of intensive question and answer sessions on the included topics, makes it likely that the course will take longer.

Students will receive the NRA Guide to Reloading handbook and intensive lessons on the basics of reloading.

Course Goal

“To provide beginning reloaders with the basic knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to safety reload shotgun shells.”
—NRA Basic Shotgun Shell Reloading Course Lesson Plans

Lessons

  1. Introduction to Reloading and Reloading Safety
  2. Shotgun Shell Components
  3. Using the Reloading Manual and Reloading Data
  4. Shotgun Shell Reloading Equipment
  5. The Shotgun Shell Reloading Process
  6. Basic Shotgun Shell Reloading Practical Exercise
  7. Course Review and Examination

Prerequisites

The are no prerequisites for taking this course, and the material is accessible to organized and conscientious people. Be aware that attention to detail is a vital skill in safe reloading.

Course Completion

Students will receive feedback on the practical exercises conducted during the course. There is a short written test on the lesson material at the end of the course.

Basic Range Safety Officer

This is a course designed to prepare experienced shooters to the basic duties of a Range Safety Officer (RSO). RSOs ensure that the users of a range follow range regulations in order to reduce property damage and personal injury. RSOs often have responsibilities to take action when circumstances require it. The RSO is the range's official on the firing line to ensure safety and to help shooters.

Many ranges seek out volunteer Range Safety Officers and the NRA developed this course to help ranges train those RSOs.

Becoming a Range Safety Officer is akin to becoming a NRA Certified Instructor, with much harder testing and the maintaining of a certification card with the NRA. A new RSO will need to pay $25 for processing of their card, and $5 annually to maintain the certification. RSOs are neither certified instructors or coaches.

Although the course can be completed as quickly as nine hours, it often will take longer depending on the class size and the facilities at the range. For example, a large number of indoor and outdoor ranges of different types cannot be toured quickly.

Students will receive a student packet featuring a RSO handbook. This handbook is not available separately.

Course Goal

“To develop NRA Certified Range Safety Officerse who possess the knowledge, skills, and attitudes essential to organizing, conducting, and supervising safe shooting activities and range operations.”
NRA Basic Range Safety Officer Course Lesson Plans

Lessons

  1. Introduction to the NRA Basic Range Safety Officer Course
  2. The Role of the NRA Range Safety Officer and Range Standard Operating Procedures
  3. Range Inspection and Range Rules
  4. Range Safety Briefing
  5. Emergency Procedures
  6. Firearm Stoppages and Malfunctions
  7. Test and Review

Prerequisites

NRA Range Safety Officers should be experienced shooters, involved in many aspects of target shooting, training, and range supervision. The NRA encourages active shooters to learn more and become responsible for the safety of fellow shooters through this program. There will be practical exercises with all types of firearms in this course, even if a shooter's discipline does not require experience with those types.

Course Completion

Students will receive feedback on the practical exercises conducted during the course. There is a short written test on the lesson material at the end of the course. A 90% score is required to obtain certification. In addition, certification will require mailing in the appropriate documents along with a $25 fee for processing.

 

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