FIRST Steps (Firearm Instruction, Responsibility and Safety Training)
FIRST Steps orientations are available in pistol, rifle and shotgun. FIRST Steps is the NRA's response to the American public's need for a firearm orientation program for new gun purchasers. New firearm owners are encouraged to take the "first step" of obtaining training, and the FIRST Steps Program is designed to provide a hands-on introduction to the safe handling and proper operation of one specific firearm model. There are three orientations in the program: one for rifle, one for pistol, and one for shotgun. Since FIRST Steps orientations are model specific, and teach only the most basic shooting skills, they are not complete "courses" in the traditional sense of the word. They do provide a thorough introduction to firearm safety, handling, and shooting skills. These skills require regular practice. Initially, this practice should take place under the supervision of a qualified individual, like an NRA Certified Instructor or NRA Shooting Coach. For this reason, the orientation encourages participants to obtain additional training in an NRA Basic Firearm Training Course, and then to take part in the "next step" by participating in other local activities designed to help individuals maintain and develop their shooting skills.
What will you learn in an NRA Home Firearm Safety Course ?
Course Goal: To teach the basic knowledge and skills, and to explain the attitude necessary for safe handling and storage of guns in the home.
- Rules for safe gun handling
- Identifying and unloading different firearms
- Practical exercises in safe gun handling
- Types of ammunition; cleaning and storage of firearms
What will you learn in an NRA Basic Firearm Training Course ?
Basic training courses are available in pistol, rifle and shotgun
- Firearm handling and shooting safety
- Firearm parts and their operation
- Ammunition and it's function
- Shooting fundamentals and an opportunity to develop them on the range
- How to select, clean, and store a firearm
- Review of various activities available to help participants develop their shooting skills
What will you learn in an NRA Personal Protection in the Home Course ?
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.
Course Lessons:
- Introduction to Defensive Shooting
- Basic Defensive Handgun Skills
- Firearms and the Law
- Strategies for Home Safety and Responding to a Violent Confrontation
- Selecting a handgun for Self-Defense
- Shooting Sports Activities and Training Opportunities
What will you learn in an NRA Personal Protection Outside the Home Course ?
Course Goal: To develop in students the knowledge, skills and attitude essential for avoiding dangerous confrontations and for the safe, effective and responsible use of a concealed handgun for self-defense outside the home.
Course Lessons:
- Introduction to Concealed Carry Safety and the Defensive Mindset
- Introduction to Self-Defense and Concealed Carry
- Legal Aspects of Concealed Carry and Self-Defense
- Carry Modes and Concealment
- Presenting the Handgun from Concealment
- Presentation, Position and Movement
- Special Shooting Techniques
- Shooting Sports Activities and Training Opportunities
What will you learn in the NRA Basic Ammunition Reloading Course ?
Reloading courses are available in metallic cartridge and shotgun shell reloading.
Course Lessons:
- Introduction to reloading and reloading safety
- Cartridge components
- Using the reloading manual and reloading data
- Using cartridge reloading equipment
- The cartridge reloading process
- Cartridge reloading practical exercise
What will you learn in an NRA Muzzleloading Course ?
Course Goal: To teach the basic knowledge, skills and attitude necessary for safe and proper use of a muzzleloading gun.
Training is available in pistol, rifle and shotgun
Course Lessons:
- Gun Safety and Safe Handling
- Black Powder and Loading the Muzzleloading gun
- Firing and Cleaning Muzzleloading guns
- Shooting from the Standing Position and Identifying Failure to Fire
- Shooting Sports Activities and Training Opportunities
What will you learn in the NRA Basic Range Safety Officer Course
Course Goal: To develop NRA Certified Range Safety Officers who possess the knowledge, skills and attitude essential to organizing, conducting, and supervising safe shooting activities and range operations.
RSO training is a nine hour course, successful candidates are eligible to apply to the NRA for certification as: NRA Range Safety Officer (RSO). There are no prerequisites for this NRA training course. Minimum age for certification is 21 years. The NRA Basic Range Safety Officer Course is designed for persons who have been assigned by a range owner, operator, or manager to oversee range safety.
Course content includes:
- Ensuring the range is safe to use
- Conducting range safety briefings for shooters
- Handling of ammunition
- Clearing of firearms with stoppages or malfunctions safely
- Supervising safety aspects of shooting activities
- Conducting emergency procedures as established by range management.
