Thread: NRA Instructor Training

I had such a hard time finding a NRA Training Counselor in Washington that I thought I'd share what I've found.

Western Washington
Shaun Curtain: Shaun Curtain - Training / Instructor Certification
I have taken Shaun's instructor classes for the disciplines of Pistol and Rifle. Instruction was professional and well presented as he's been polishing his act for 18 years It appears that most of his classes are held at Clark Rifle Range.

I am signed up for Shaun's Personal Protection Instructor class in September, 2011

Eastern Washington
R. Theron Cammer / Alternative Ammo
Pasco, WA.
I've recently gotten a mailing from this guy but haven't yet taken any of his classes. He is offering a wide range of instructor classes and can be contacted by phone.
Home (509) 542-0504 / Cell (509) 528-1507

here's something we hope you really enjoy:

NRAInstructors.org - Portal for NRA certified Instructors, NRA Education and Training

all instructor training course in western WA.

Originally Posted by MarkAd

here's something we hope you really enjoy:

NRAInstructors.org - Portal for NRA certified Instructors, NRA Education and Training

all instructor training course in western WA.

Yes. That's where I started my search. It was pretty bleak for the Eastern part of both Washington and Oregon. When I did find a Counselor listed, they had let their own certification lapse

Why do you want to take NRA instructor's classes?

Originally Posted by ch139

Why do you want to take NRA instructor's classes?

That seems to be a rather "trollish" question.

Originally Posted by twoclones

Originally Posted by ch139

Why do you want to take NRA instructor's classes?

That seems to be a rather "trollish" question.

What's "trollish" about it? I am just curious why you want to take NRA instructors classes. I though the question seemed simple enough. If you're not comfortable answering it, that's your business, but seems unkind and a tad neurotic to call the question "trollish." Whatever floats your boat though.

Originally Posted by ch139

What's "trollish" about it?

The obviousness of the answer.
Why take the NRA Instructor Classes? To become a NRA Certified Instructor.

Originally Posted by twoclones

The obviousness of the answer.
Why take the NRA Instructor Classes? To become a NRA Certified Instructor.

Do you have to have the NRA credential to be a firearms instructor?

Originally Posted by Kevatc

Do you have to have the NRA credential to be a firearms instructor?

Only if you want insurance! I wouldn't teach my grandmother how to knit me a stocking cap without insurance!

There's also credibility with the NRA Certification. In the classes I've taken, there have been well qualified firearms instructors who sought the certificate because students and potential employers had asked for their NRA certs.

When I applied for my Oregon non-resident "CCW" they were more interested in a NRA course than in my other training.

There are many reasons why people prefer NRA courses, but the principal reasons are that the NRA courses have been refined over many years, so are quite complete. The course content is the same, no matter where you take the course, or who from.

Of course, individual instructors vary and some will add their own flair (or otherwise) to the course, but the core sylabus is the same.

Many states (including Oregon) require some level of training certification before issuing a concealed handgun permit. These states almost invariably require the training to be delivered by either a law enforcement or NRA trainer.

I will be offering NRA instruction for pistol, range safety, and the Refuse to be a victim seminar when I return home from Afghanistan for good, through my surplus shop in Vancouver. I also have some employees who are certified for the RTBAV course, pistol instructor, and in range safety. We are also working on getting our instructors certified to teach CPR and blood-borne pathogens.

If one doesn't have time for the full NRA pistol course, we can offer a shorter course tailored for the Oregon Concealed Handgun License.

I took my CCW class about a month ago. The guy was NRA certified. That being said, that class consisted of 2 45 minute videos and told us that if we had any questions on firearms laws we should refer to a web site although he couldn't remember what the website was. Afterwards he printed out our cards and sent us on our way. Kind of wondering if there isn't something wrong with this picture.

Originally Posted by nwwoodsman

I took my CCW class about a month ago. The guy was NRA certified. That being said, that class consisted of 2 45 minute videos and told us that if we had any questions on firearms laws we should refer to a web site although he couldn't remember what the website was. Afterwards he printed out our cards and sent us on our way. Kind of wondering if there isn't something wrong with this picture.

I'd expect the instructor to offer more than hitting a play button. Websites also vary greatly in the reliability of their information.

Originally Posted by nwwoodsman

I took my CCW class about a month ago. The guy was NRA certified. That being said, that class consisted of 2 45 minute videos and told us that if we had any questions on firearms laws we should refer to a web site although he couldn't remember what the website was. Afterwards he printed out our cards and sent us on our way. Kind of wondering if there isn't something wrong with this picture.

Nothing wrong there.
Oregon only requires a safety course and not full blown concealed carry training. Sheriff's tend to prefer the class be taught by a NRA Certified Instructor but there is no requirement for a NRA sanctioned class. Had you taken a bonafide NRA pistol class, there would have been a lot more to it.

The safety requirement is the key intent in the Oregon CHL class. Last I checked ORS 166, it required that the instructor be NRA certified, but not that the class consist of NRA-sanctioned course content. So you can take the NRA pistol course, or you can take an abbreviated course that doesn't come with the NRA certification.

I don think it's rather cheesy that an instructor would charge you the full price to watch a video. This is an important subject, and any instructor worth paying should be giving you the best benefit that they can- including some serious discussion of the ethics and law of the force continuum and force escalation. Not just a video.

NRA certified instructors are only one way to satisfy the requirements. It seems the most prevalent requirement is that handgun safety is a component of the course. Seems to be a lot less than what I would require if it were my choice! I am a firm believer however that these requirements are better than nothing and that 99.99 percent of CHL holders are good, law abiding folks.

Refer to ORS 166.291 for further: http://www.leg.state.or.us/ors/166.html

While I think safety training is a good idea for an individual to choose, I don't agree that there should be a legal requirement for it, because there are many ways other than going to a credentialed instructor to learn the same skills. Generally when a credential is legally required, it is not for the benefit of the trainee or the general public, but to limit competition and benefit the trainer's industry.

Originally Posted by Thebastidge

While I think safety training is a good idea for an individual to choose, I don't agree that there should be a legal requirement for it, because there are many ways other than going to a credentialed instructor to learn the same skills. Generally when a credential is legally required, it is not for the benefit of the trainee or the general public, but to limit competition and benefit the trainer's industry.

Glad you put the word generally in because I completely disagree with this premise.