NRA Courses

FIRST STEPS PISTOL
DESCRIPTION
FIRST stands for “Firearm Instruction, Responsibility, and Safety Training”, a
program the NRA developed to meet the need for a firearms orientation program
for new gun purchasers. This FIRST Steps program is a basic courses
abbreviated to the most fundamental shooting skills, and the specifics of a
particular model of pistol.

This course, because of its narrow focus, can be completed as quickly as three
hours. Students will get the NRA's The Basics of Pistol Shooting handbook and
quick practical lessons on the safe use, cleaning, and storage of their pistol. The
practical exercise covers a single pistol shooting position. As the number of
participants or pistol types present increases, the course will take proportionally
longer.

COURSE GOAL
“To provide beginning shooters with an introduction to the knowledge, skills,
and attitude necessary to own and use a specific pistol model safely.”

NRA FIRST Steps Pistol Orientation Lesson Plans
LESSONS

Introduction to Pistol Safety, Parts, and Operation
Introduction to Ammunition and the Fundamentals of Pistol Shooting
Introduction to Pistol Shooting from the Bench rest Position
Introduction to Pistol Cleaning, Storage, and Training Opportunities

PREREQUISITES
The are no prerequisites for taking this course, and the material is accessible to
appropriately supervised mature children.

COURSE COMPLETION
Students will receive feedback on the live-fire exercise and a course certificate
upon successful completion of the lessons. Students will receive a “Basic
Practical” rocker upon successful demonstration of firing a qualifying “group”.

BASIC PISTOL COURSE
DESCRIPTION
A pistol, or handgun, is a firearm designed to be fired while being held in one
hand. While such firearms are small and compact, they can be the hardest to
learn.
The Basic Pistol course can be as short as ten hours. In it students will get the
NRA's The Basics of Pistol Shooting handbook and intensive lessons in safety,
gun handling, the various types of pistols, the fundamentals of pistol
marksmanship, various pistol firing positions, several practical exercises on the
firing range, cleaning, storage, and a summary of pistol sports and activities.

COURSE GOAL
“To teach the basic knowledge, skills, and attitude for owning and using a pistol
safely.”

NRA Basic Pistol Shooting Course Lesson Plans
LESSONS

Pistol Knowledge and Safe Gun Handling
Ammunition Knowledge and Fundamentals of Pistol Shooting
Firing the First Shots (includes cleaning and storage)
Two-handed and One-handed Standing Shooting Positions
Pistol Sports and Activities

PREREQUISITES
The are no prerequisites for taking this course, and the material is accessible to
appropriately supervised mature children.

COURSE COMPLETION
Students will receive feedback on the live-fire exercise and a course certificate
upon successful completion of the lessons. Students will receive a “Basic
Practical” rocker upon successful demonstration of firing a qualifying “group”.
There is a short written test on the lesson material at the end of the course.

BASIC PERSONAL PROTECTION IN THE HOME
DESCRIPTION
Unlike the other basic courses, the Personal Protection course covers defensive
shooting. Self-defense is a topic somewhat distinct from the regular diet of
shooting fundamentals, it can cover mindset, legal issues, decision-making
under pressure, and planning for the worst. The Basic Personal Protection in the
Home course is designed around the use of the defensive pistol.

Students will receive the NRA Guide to the Basics of Personal Protection in the
Home handbook and intensive lessons on basics of defensive shooting, issues of
self-defense, and other strategies for protecting the home and family.

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.”

NRA Basic Personal Protection in the Home Course Lesson Plans
LESSONS

Introduction to Defensive Shooting
Basic Defensive Handgun Skills
Firearms and the Law: Possession, Ownership, and the Use of Deadly Force
Strategies for Home Safety and Responding to a Violent Confrontation
Selecting a Handgun for Personal Defense
Sport Shooting Activities and Training Opportunities
Course Review and Examination

PREREQUISITES
Participants in the Personal Protection course should be experienced shooters,
showing mastery of the basic skills of safe gun handling. If necessary, this
course will put participants through a pre-course evaluation exercise, where
potential students are asked to demonstrate safe gun handling, shoot a series of
five-shot groups, discuss the operations necessary to zero a pistol, and
demonstrate how to properly clean a handgun.

Participants are expected to show validation of shooting experience by showing
an NRA Basic Pistol Course certificate, an NRA Marksmanship Qualification
Program certificate, a Pistol qualification card, a DD 214 card with pistol
qualification, or a Concealed Carry Permit. Finally, the Personal Protection
course is intended for mature law-abiding adults, who have the mindset and
seriousness necessary to properly perform the activities in the course. Self-
defense is not a topic that lends itself to horseplay and distractions.

COURSE COMPLETION
Students will be given feedback on their shooting exercises, and a certificate
upon successful completion of the lessons. Not only are shooting standards fired
during the practical exercises, but a written exam will be given at the end of the
course. Throughout the course the instructor will use a individual checklist for
each student to ensure the coverage of course material, and satisfactory
absorption of the material being taught.