Career Move - Handgun Safety

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doc540

New member
Been thinking about it a long time, so it's time to actually do it.

LOT of people buying handguns around here locally, and God bless'em, some have no clue what to do with them.

So, it's not going to be about self defense or home defense, just how to be safe, operate, and secure a handgun.

What do my compadres here think about it?

http://www.train2shoot.net
 
You need some sort of certification such as NRA certified Basic Pistol Instructor to get any credibility. Any idiot can just up and advertise a course, and most people know that. NRA certification on the other hand would give you some credibility
 
JimPage said:
You need some sort of certification such as NRA certified Basic Pistol Instructor to get any credibility. Any idiot can just up and advertise a course, and most people know that. NRA certification on the other hand would give you some credibility
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However -- NRA certified instructors may reference said NRA certification ONLY in connection with standard NRA courses. It didn't appear to me that what the OP has in mind is a standard NRA course. If not, it would be a violation of the NRA's rules to use or even mention an NRA certification to promote the class. They are VERY clear about this.
 
Even if he doesn't get the NRA certification, he may still need to get some kind of cert. That is because many states require CCW applicants to show proof of competency as taught by a certified instructor. Even if Texas doesn't require such, any person taking his class would naturally want that just in case they were to need to move to a state that does. Such certification would increase his marketability.
 
I'm certified as an NRA pistol instructor and range safety officer as noted on the website I posted.

Locally, no one is either actively teaching or attending pistol training other than CHL. And a lot of people are buying guns for the first time. My friends who own a local range confirm that training is really needed.

I could be deluded, but I think I have the qualifications since I'm a career trainer by trade, been shooting about 55 years, shoot competitively, and have a genuine passion to help introduce new shooters to the sport.

But skepticism can be a healthy thing.:)
 
I think it's a great idea, but unfortunately most people under appreciate the value of formal training/instruction.

So I think that will be the big hurdle, but good on you for testing the waters and hope it goes well for you.
 
Checkmyswag has hinted at the real crux of the problem - that it will be hard to get enough business to make a living. I'm thinking he is right. It might be a nice 2nd job (or a great post-retirement occupation) but I think it will be tough to get enough customers to make it a primary occupation.
 
How would what you're proposing be different from the NRA basic pistol course?
Cuz it seems like the NRA course would be the exact answer to your concerns.
 
NRA Basic Pistol is a great course, and I do recommend it.

It's much more comprehensive and time consuming.

I'm providing a service for working folks, single mom's, those that can afford the fee and a few hours out of their day to just get started.

We'll expand and offer more advanced training later, but for now it's about 3 hours.

And we furnish everything from training materials to safety gear and guns.
 
Ah. I See.

Interesting idea. I hope it works out for you. I can see the merit, I'm not sure about the customer base (interest) but I do hope it works out for you.
 
We'll see how much actual business we can generate.

I do know that handgun sales have been brisk for years now, and the range owners share safety horror stories on a regular basis.

I'm a professional trainer by trade, so this is adding my favorite hobby to the mix. :)
 
What you seem to be describing sounds close to the NRA "First Steps" course, except that "First Steps" is intended to be one-on-one to help a new owner become familiar with ONE handgun (the one they just bought and don't know anything about). It basically walks the person through what the owners manual says (or should say) and introduces the person to shooting that handgun.

"First Steps" is not accepted by most states as meeting the requirement for handgun safety training (for those states having such requirements).
 
I think it's a great idea, provided your not taking any risky career moves (which judging from your age and past qualifications doesn't sound like a problem).

You just need to figure out how to market and brand yourself so you stand out from the others. Hitting up the forums (especially local to you) is a great start. I've taken different courses with 3 different schools and I found them all through local forums.

I also like the idea of providing all the needed gear. Years ago when I took my CWP safety class, myself and everyone else either showed up without a gun or with one that didn't really suite their needs. For instance, I took my first gun (Taurus 617 .357 mag) and found out that it was not a good starter gun. Lucky for me, the class had a whole mess of different guns and ammo that we all got to try out.

So, where do you plan on holding your classes? Private property or a local range? Good luck with the endeavor and keep us updated on how it goes.
 
doc540 said:
NRA Basic Pistol is a great course, and I do recommend it.

It's much more comprehensive and time consuming...
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Our Basic class runs about 10 hours (we add a lot of "hands-on", close supervision work). So I think there's a place for a shorter, more streamlined bare-bones class.

I'm not sure that I'd look at this a a career move. We put on monthly classes, limited to 12 students, and we've been full, or almost full, every month for the last couple of years. However, none of us take any compensation. Our class fees at set to only cover our expenses.

But it's excellent as a labor of love.
 
Thanks

Held in A/C indoors at a local, public range and a private gun club.

Private gun club shoots outdoors, though.

I'm motivated to help introduce new people to the sport, do it safely, and make it fun.

Lord knows, there are scores of people buying handguns in Texas.
 
The reason our range doesn't offer NRA courses is precisely that: time.

The NRA First Steps course or the Basic courses take 10-12 hours, a Cooper style Intro class takes four.

The four hour course is a money-maker, the NRA courses aren't.

Everyone has an agenda.

The range's agenda is to make money and get people to join. The NRA's agenda is political. The curriculums reflect the agenda, so I suggest you investigate where your support will come from (meaning who will provide the classroom, ammo and range) and their motives. Then choose which agenda you're comfortable participating in, because those who provide support will expect you to further their agenda.

Some ranges won't let you teach privately because you're competing with them, some will for a cut and some don't care. Investigate what your range's agenda is, what they will expect you to teach, (some ranges want you to give your students a guided tour of their gunshop, range benefits, and so on) and then, again, choose what you're comfortable participating in deliberately.

Which brings me to my next suggestion, don't try to do things under the table. Under the table is fine unless something goes wrong, or unless someone files a lawsuit.

Get the insurance, choose your support. Document what you teach and why you teach it that way. I'm not certain whether or not you can get the insurance unless you're certified. I was certified before I tried.

You're right, there's money to be made. In my experience, the Cooper Four style classes make more money and sell better than the NRA classes. And I don't feel a need to give a lecture segment on "Why People Own Guns". (Part of the NRA curriculum.) So I teach the Cooper Four style almost exclusively, unless someone asks for an NRA course.

And good luck.
 
Jammer Six said:
The NRA First Steps course or the Basic courses take 10-12 hours, a Cooper style Intro class takes four.
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Basic Pistol is required to take 8 hours, including live fire, and can easily take 10 with a larger class. First Steps is walking a new owner through familiarization with ONE specific firearm. How does that take 10 to 12 hours? It is NOT a handgun safety class or a marksmanship class, and it does NOT cover the operation of all types of handguns. It is really little more than reading the owners manual together and helping a new owner understand how his/her new firearm works. It should not take more than four hours, tops.

From the NRA web site:

Name : NRA FIRST Steps Pistol Orientation

Short Description : Firearm Instruction, Responsibility, and Safety Training — is the NRA’s response to the American public’s need for a firearm orientation program for new purchasers.


More Details: NRA FIRST Steps Pistol is designed to provide a hands-on introduction to the safe handling and proper orientation to one specific pistol action type for classes of four or fewer students. This course is at least three hours long and includes classroom and range time learning to shoot a specific pistol action type. Students will learn the NRA’s rules for safe gun handling; the particular pistol model parts and operation; ammunition; shooting fundamentals; cleaning the pistol; and continued opportunities for skill development. Students will receive the Basics of Pistol Shooting handbook, NRA Gun Safety Rules brochure, Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification booklet, FIRST Steps Course completion certificate. (Lesson Plan, revised 4-11).
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I commend you on your willingness to educate others and wish you all the best in your endeavor. One other thing besides certification is make sure you have liability insurance just in case of a mishap. You will be working with new gun owners and untrained gun owners at that.
 
My mistake, I haven't taught a First Steps class in several years, and then the only one I've ever taught was on the 1911.

What I remember from my NRA days was new shooters who had never seen a handgun before going through a two day ringer, starting with "Why We Own Guns", and going up through shooting from a sitting position and ending with a lecture on the NRA merit badge series. (I've forgotten what they're called, too.)

With the exception of the shooting and the range rules, almost none of it applied to defensive shooters.

What I liked about the course was the "no ammo in the classroom" rule and the slide showing how to focus on the front sight.
 
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