To date, has there ever been a review of the NRA's instructional program to teach new shooters?

[Big_Mike]

I learned basic firearms safety when in the 7th grade by going to the NRA beginner's safety class. Back then, I thought it introduced things pretty well, and it began my training in firearms safety, range safety, and safety while hunting alone or in groups. Looking back 40+ years, things are pretty foggy about the training, but I was wondering just how good are today's programs for basic pistol, rifle, and shotgun?

I'm less concerned about what they say about CCW, as that varies so much from state to state.

What do the folks here think about the non-political NRA instructional courses?

[SecularMotion]

1. This is the wrong group to discuss hunter safety

This post is probably a better fit for the Outdoor group

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1214

[gejohnston]

2. hunter safety is a different class

they are often operated or controlled by the game department, or at least Wyoming's did when I did the classes. Hunter safety courses are often geared towards 14-16 year olds since that is when most people get their first hunting license.

[SecularMotion]

3. I'm not going to quibble about safety courses.

They don't fit the SOP.

Discuss gun politics, gun control laws, the Second Amendment, the use of firearms for self-defense, and the use of firearms to commit crime and violence.

[AtheistCrusader]

12. Reading comprehension. It's FUNdamental.

He said less concerned with.

[krispos42]

4. Locking

This post lacks the political, legal, criminal, or self-defense aspect of the Group's SoP. Outdoor Life would probably be a better fit for this kind of question.

Regards,
Krispos42, Group Host

[krispos42]

5. Unlocking

After further consideration and upon further reflection, I am unlocking this because gun safely is tied to the gun politics and public policy. Many states, for example, mandate an NRA safety course as a precursor to getting a hunting safety certificate, a pistol permit, or a concealed-carry permit.

I apologize for my error.

Regards,
Krispos42, Group Host

[SecularMotion]

6. The OP says the question is not related to CCW or gun politics

I'm less concerned about what they say about CCW, as that varies so much from state to state.

What do the folks here think about the non-political NRA instructional courses?

[hack89]

7. Your hypocrisy is astounding

you lock us out of your forum on the flimsiest of reasons and then have the nerve to come here and dictate how our forum is to be run?

You routinely refuse to adhere to the SOP here so you have no right to demand anything.

[Duckhunter935]

11. Bravo

I could not have said it better. He does not even try and hide it as he blocked a person for a self delete! How the hell is that an SOP violation. I love how he tries to run this group, with no power it must piss him off.

[ileus]

18. controllers wanna control.

[DonP]

8. Pssst, you're not the boss of anything here, behave politely if you can

[Nuclear Unicorn]

23. Lemme guess --

It's so slow in the Whine Cellar you figured you had enough free time on your hands to help out over here.

[Big_Mike]

25. SM, the reason I said less concerned with CCW is that it varies in 48 or so of the 50 states

Thereby introducing too many variables for a decent narrative. While there may be some congruence overall, the individual details of each state's procedures is beyond the scope of what I was asking for.

My main request is for information regarding the efficacy of the training materials produced today by the NRA, not the NRA/ILA slant on things.

What I am hoping for is that instructors today are getting good, relevant information to give to new shooters that will instill attention to detail regarding the use of weapons either at the range, hunting, or in self defense situations. Is the material useful?

[SecularMotion]

27. There is no mention of "self defense situations" in the OP.

"training in firearms safety, range safety, and safety while hunting alone or in groups."

[DonP]

28. Why don't you write a nice long letter to the editor of your local paper about it

Then you can go into detail about how outraged you are that somebody isn't doing what you want them to do in an online group.

I'm sure it will change everyone's minds and hearts as effectively as your cut and past journals here have.

One more time, you aren't the boss of anything here, you have your own group that you seem to studiously avoid. Go post there about how unfair things are here.

[MountainDewed]

29. It's like anywhere else.

It all depends on where you go. I'm going to my first class in a week or so and found a place that has ex-officers and ex-military NRA instructors. I used to be a heavy drinker and knew that I could never safely own a gun for protection but now that I quit, I am going to start with intro to handgun class at Range USA in Memphis.

I have done a lot of reading/research and found that this is a highly professional class of instructors. A good way to tell is to look at how they offer the concealed weapons class, they business will either talk about safety first and make sure you have an introduction class before you take the HCP class, the ones that I believe don't or might not have responsible instructors are the ones that advertise "fast and easy" HCP classes.

So yes, there are instructors that are getting good, relevant information to give to new shooters and I can follow up on mine here afterwards if you like? I am sure there are a few that don't give proper instruction also but that's because it's impossible to filter the money hungry people that become NRA instructors and start their own classes with the good people that actually want to teach safety.

[Big_Mike]

26. Thank you, Krispos42.

I did spend some time thinking about which group this should be posted to. My initial thought was that almost all states require some type of proof of training prior to granting even the purchase of firearms in some states. As it is policy almost nationwide, I thought it did meet the standard for posting here. I just didn't want the post to be bogged down in political statements and posturing by some of the folks who frequent this forum/group.

[DonP]

9. Short answer, the courses are still pretty good

Last edited Mon Sep 7, 2015, 02:16 PM - Edit history (1)

I teach Basic Pistol, First Shots as well as Concealed Carry and the material get's better every few years. I've also used the latest version of the Eddie Eagle material for some scout troops and other youth organizations.

The emphasis is still first and foremost on safety in all the classes. I teach the 4 rules, versus the NRA's 3 rules, same thing basically.

Lots of digital material is now included as well, downloads and DVDs.

The emphasis on the legal responsibilities of gun ownership has also been expanded as a core part of all the classes.

As before, nothing about the political side in the classes or class material.

Hope that helps.

[Duckhunter935]

14. Good to hear

All of my training was military but I have dome some online training. I can not think anybody on DU would be against good firearms safety training whoever does it.

[Eleanors38]

10. As for politics, does any controller/banner oppose these courses? The answer...

might suggest a political bent on their part, going to culture, or perhaps encouraging reckless behavior and hence a self-fulfilling prophesy. Any opponents out there?

[AtheistCrusader]

13. There's one in this thread. Tried twice to get it locked.

[Duckhunter935]

15. Yep

Thanks to our fine host as this is valuable and should be discussed here.

[Statistical]

16. Of course there are opponents ...

Look at this DU thread about "Eddie Eagle" which is a safety only program for young children advising they NEVER TOUCH A GUN and to leave the area and tell an adult right away. You would think it was a Nazi re-education program from some of the comments:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=118x1353#1406

Thinking gun safety leads to kids using guns is like thinking sex ed leads to sex. The reality is with 1 in 3 homes having a firearm it is possible for any child to encounter a gun. If not at home them possibly at a friend's house. A lack of education isn't going to make them safer but many gun grabbers want to just pretend they don't exist.

[DonP]

17. Total BS claims on their part

They don't care about child safety, unless it's done their way and results in banning firearms.

I have all the current Eddie Eagle materials and have run several of them for Scouts, YMCA and other youth groups.

The funny thing is they have never seen any of the material, obviously.

But somehow they just "know" it's promoting guns to kids. The same people make fun of "Abstinence" based sex ed and "Just Say No" for drug education, then apply exactly the same thinking to gun safety.

In their twisted world things messages like:

- Stop
- Don't Touch
- Leave the area
- Tell an adult

... must all be "pro gun" messages, since they don't demonize guns and gun owners.

I called them on it in several threads and get the usual "Gun Humper" "Gun Nutz" comments.

They have no interest in the truth or in teaching anyone gun safety. The only thing they want is no more guns or gun owners and they keep pushing away the people they need to help them get the laws changed.

The results are obvious in their utter lack of success. No new legislation for over a decade, loss of multiple local and state offices, losses in courts at every level. Their approach really isn't working and they seem too dense to consider any other way.

It seems they are just looking for any way they can to be rude and ignorant on the subject.

[ileus]

19. That's because they live off shootings...their support and cause would dry up otherwise.

[friendly_iconoclast]

22. The Brady Campaign program mentioned in that thread is now down the Memory Hole:

http://www.bradycampaign.org/clarence/index_0.php

Page not found

http://www.bradycampaign.org/search/clarence

Your search yielded no results.

I wonder why?.....snerk

[Nuclear Unicorn]

24. "I wonder why?.....snerk"

Because without accidents they have no basis for their political agenda.

They profit off of dead children.

[ileus]

20. My hunters safety course (taught by NRA instructors) was all I needed for Va CHP.

For general hunting and gun safety it was spot on.

Not that useful for CHP and I have since attended a 8 hour course just to see what/how the "pros" taught new CHP hopefuls.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

30. k&r

safety first; knowledge is power.