The NRA Basics of Personal Protection Outside the Home teaches students the knowledge, skills and attitude essential for avoiding dangerous confrontations and for the safe, effective and responsible use of a concealed pistol for self-defense outside one's home. It is an intensive course and I teach only two students per class for safety and thorough individual instruction on all of the details. Students must learn and practice many diverse shooting skills in order to respond quickly and appropriately to a broad range of threats that may be encountered outside their homes. This course covers the legal ramifications of concealed carry, including who may legally carry a pistol, when concealed carry is or is not permitted, legal and ethical ramifications when responding to a life threatening encounter using a concealed pistol, and the legal, moral, emotional, and social aftermath of the use of deadly force outside your home. This course is for adult individuals who are not disqualified from possessing a firearm as defined by applicable federal, state, or local law and are of good repute and possess defensive pistol skills presented in the NRA Basics of Personal Protection In The Home Course. Participants must also understand the basic legal concepts relating to the use of firearms in self-defense, and must know and observe not only general gun safety rules, but also those safety principles that are specific to defensive situations. This course has NRA Basics of Personal Protection In The Home as a prerequisite. Prospective students may demonstrate that they have the requisite knowledge, skills, and attitudes by producing an NRA Basic Personal Protection In The Home Course Certificate, or by passing the pre-course evaluation which I administer.
The course is divided into two levels. Level one is nine-hours and offers the essential knowledge and skills that must be mastered in order to carry, store, and use a firearm safely and effectively for personal protection outside the home. Students spend several hours on the range and shoot approximately 100 rounds of ammunition during Level One. Upon completion, students may choose to attend Level Two, which is an additional five hours on the range and approximately 115 more rounds of ammunition learning advanced shooting skills including simulated low light shooting. Time and ammunition requirements are minimum, and may be exceeded. Students will receive the NRA Guide to the Basics of Personal Protection Outside The Home handbook, NRA Gun Safety Rules brochure and appropriate (Level one/Level two) course completion certificate(s). There is an open book written exam of 50 questions, multiple choice and T/F.
Note: Lesson III of this course on Firearms and the Law, and Legal Aspects of Self-Defense, of the NRA Basics of Personal Protection In and Outside The Home Courses is conducted by an attorney licensed to practice law within the state in which this course is given and who is familiar with this area of the law, or a Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) who possesses an intermediate or higher Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certificate granted within the state, or an individual currently certified to instruct in this area of the law by the state in which this course is presented.
Here is what you should bring to class with you:
The course is divided into two levels. Level one is nine-hours and offers the essential knowledge and skills that must be mastered in order to carry, store, and use a firearm safely and effectively for personal protection outside the home. Students spend several hours on the range and shoot approximately 100 rounds of ammunition during Level One. Upon completion, students may choose to attend Level Two, which is an additional five hours on the range and approximately 115 more rounds of ammunition learning advanced shooting skills including simulated low light shooting. Time and ammunition requirements are minimum, and may be exceeded. Students will receive the NRA Guide to the Basics of Personal Protection Outside The Home handbook, NRA Gun Safety Rules brochure and appropriate (Level one/Level two) course completion certificate(s). There is an open book written exam of 50 questions, multiple choice and T/F.
Note: Lesson III of this course on Firearms and the Law, and Legal Aspects of Self-Defense, of the NRA Basics of Personal Protection In and Outside The Home Courses is conducted by an attorney licensed to practice law within the state in which this course is given and who is familiar with this area of the law, or a Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) who possesses an intermediate or higher Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certificate granted within the state, or an individual currently certified to instruct in this area of the law by the state in which this course is presented.
Here is what you should bring to class with you:
- Eye and ear protection - both earplugs and muffs together are quietest. Electronic earmuffs are convenient especially if used with a hook on your gun belt.
- A solid gun belt to fit your waist size designed specifically for carrying a holster.
- An outside the waistband (OWB) holster for strong side positioning designed to fit your particular pistol. Ladies may use a purse designed for concealed carry but the strong side hip holster is preferable. I will not allow shoulder rigs, gun/fanny packs, ankle holsters, small of the back, etc.
- A pistol of at least 9mm if using a semi-automatic or .38 cal if using a revolver. Revolvers must be capable of double action. Single action revolvers are not permitted.
- Two extra magazines for your semi-auto pistol or speed loaders / moon clips if using a revolver. For those of us who own magazines that are difficult to load with our thumbs, try a MagLula Uplula tool.
- Some kind of pouch or holder you can attach to your gun belt on the weak hand side for the magazines or speed loader/moon clips.
- A vest to use as concealment that covers your belt and holster. I will accept lightweight examples such as bicycle / construction mesh vests so you don't have to spend money on an expensive special CCW vest or jacket as long as it covers the belt and holster.
- Pen, pencil, and highlighter.
- At least 250 cartridges of target grade ammunition, left in your vehicle during class.
- A few snacks and water bottle.
- Case for your pistol so you are not walking in to class "armed".
- Knee pads.
- Manufacturer's manual for your pistol, usually available free on their website if you do not have one.
- Dummy cartridges for dry fire practice - A-Zoom makes good ones available from the Lyman website.
- Cleaning kit.
- Signed and dated waiver.