NRA Certified Instructor

[William B.]

I live in VA. Do any of you other VA residents know if the local Sheriff Dept. can certify people as handgun instructors?

[William B.]

Everyone.

I'm a life member. This is kind of disheartening to me

[TOrrock]

I live in VA. Do any of you other VA residents know if the local Sheriff Dept. can certify people as handgun instructors?

Not really, although you could certainly ask your local Police or Sheriff's office.

I don't know of any law enforcement around here that would be willing to take on the liability of training a non LEO to provide training to civilians.

[Jay Cunningham]

You need to keep in mind that you are not learning to teach a self-defense class. You are learning to teach how to safely manipulate a handgun and then how to properly shoot it.

Not everybody thinks like we do here. There are LEO courses and there are Personal Protection course as well.

[TOrrock]

I'm a life member. This is kind of disheartening to me

So am I. You have to understand that their main concern is liability.

There is a more than a little bit of political correctness involved as well.

I do understand their position to a certain extent. All it would take is one incident in a NRA affiliated class and the whole program could be jeopardized.

That's part of what I meant by being a bit dated, but also, you have to understand that they're looking at someone instructing someone that has ZERO gun handling skills or understanding of gun safety.

[William B.]

You need to keep in mind that you are not learning to teach a self-defense class. You are learning to teach how to safely manipulate a handgun and then how to properly shoot it.

Not everybody thinks like we do here. There are LEO courses and there are Personal Protection course as well.

Yeah. I guess you're right. It just seems like the NRA is being PC and that is disappointing. I guess they have to play the game sometimes like the rest of us, though.

I definitely didn't hear what I wanted to hear, but I do appreciate the feedback and the info and I'll keep it all in mind.

[William B.]

... instructing someone that has ZERO gun handling skills or understanding of gun safety.

Great point.

[William B.]

Katar and Templar: Do you guys feel like your beginner students have always gotten something from the curriculum?.. assuming, of course, that they put something into it.

[Jay Cunningham]

I only just certified a few months ago and will not be involved in my first classes until later this year.

[TOrrock]

Katar and Templar: Do you guys feel like your beginner students have always gotten something from the curriculum?.. assuming, of course, that they put something into it.

I've only really used it for volunteering to teach gun safety for Boy and Girl Scouts. I honestly didn't use any of the NRA curriculum, because it doesn't teach you anything you don't already know if you're halfway switched on.

Again, I'm not knocking the NRA, what it does do is provide a good basis for teaching you how to teach.