How to Select Firearms Training

There are some important things to look for when selecting a firearms training program:

• Instructor Experience
  Our team of NRA Certified Instructors includes individuals with up to 15 or more years of experience as NRA Certified Instructors. Some have law enforcement backgrounds and experience as NRA Certified Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors.
   
• Multiple NRA Disciplines
  We have NRA Certified Instructors who are certified to teach Pistol, Personal Protection, Rifle, Shotgun, Home Firearms Safety and other disciplines. Our instructors hold certifications in multiple disciplines not just one discipline.
   
  
• Other Non-NRA Firearms Instructor Certifications
  Many of our instructors hold additional firearms instructor certifications including those from the Utah Department of Public Safety, California Department of Justice, NACFI and Colorado POST.
   
• Certified NRA Training Counselor
  We have an NRA Certified Training Counselor on staff as well as additional NRA Certified Training Counselors that we work on special events and training in other states.  NRA Certified Training Counselors train instructor candidates who then apply for certification from the NRA as NRA Certified Instructors. Many providers that offer NRA firearms training have only one or two NRA Certified Instructors. Colorado Safearms Academy has multiple NRA Certified Instructors who are certified to teach multiple disciplines AND an in-house NRA Certified Training Counselor.
   
• Student to Instructor Ratio
  In the classroom, there should be no more than 10 to 15 students per instructor. On the firing line, no more than 4 or 5 students per instructor. Our classes sometimes have 2 or more instructors even if we have fewer than 10 students and we have had as many as 4 instructors for classes with 16 students.
   
• NRA Courses Delivered in Full Scheduled Format
  The NRA does not allow or recognize NRA courses that have been cut down from the official format. For example, the NRA Basic Pistol course has a 10-hour format. It is okay for a given class to finish a little early depending upon the number of students but the class may NOT be scheduled and delivered in 3, 4, 5 or 6 hours, etc. If you take an NRA Basic Pistol course and it is scheduled and delivered in significantly less than 10 hours, it may be worthless and your certificate may be invalid!
   
• Official NRA Student Book, Test & Certificate
  Regardless of where you get your firearms training, make sure it is real.  Be especially careful when selecting basic firearms safety classes to meet the requirements for concealed carry permits.
   
• Call the NRA!
  If you have questions about an NRA course, NRA instructor or an NRA Certificate, call the NRA at 1-703-267-1430.