Re: How NOT to Teach A CCW Course!
Posted: Wed, 03 Aug 2011 15:20:41
Charlie,
Regarding BIT, I've sometimes shared the same sentiment. But every once in a while we get a 30+ military veteran in one of our classes (usually RSO) that just wants to do it their way, and are only in our class because they 'need the check in the NRA box.' Those are the most difficult students.
"some portions are well past their sell-by dates" You don't know how accurate a statement that can be. While the NRA may be a huge organization, the Training and Education Department is relatively small, and constantly busy (and on the road). Some of the student course material (rifle and shotgun for instance) are horribly out of date. They just don't have the man power to update them. The Pistol material only got a major revision in 2009 (prior edition was 10-15 years old; I don't remember the exact date). There are minor revisions during each printing, but in whole they still have outdated material. A great example is the evolution of shotgun slug technology. TCs and Instructors are allowed a little leeway to update some material 'on the fly' in class to bring it up to modern technology standards.
For Pistol Instructor, the course of fire is 20 rounds, slow fire, in two groups of 10 or 4 groups of 5, standing, two-handed, at a 9 inch target at 15 yards. Each group of shots must be within a 6 inch group to count for score. Hits outside the 6-inch group do not count. The target size can vary (there is a formula) based on actual target distances if your range facilities differ.
You are correct; we're looking for shooting proficiency, not distinguished experts. There are waivers for the live fire. If you can prove skill via some recognized group association, then the TC has the option to waive the student's live fire assessment. For example, here is the Pistol Qual:
"Alternatively, candidates may provide documented proof of Classified Sharpshooter or better in NRA Conventional or Action Pistol, Classified Marksman or better in International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) or Classified Marksman or better in US Practical Shooting Association(USPSA)/International Practical Shooting Confederation(lPSC) or a cert(fication as an NRA LEAD Handgun/Shotgun or Tactical Handgun certified instructor."
Incentives: There are none that I know of regarding 'finding' new instructors. There is the NRA Recruiter Program, but thats for recruiting new general NRA memberships.
This is the NRA's philosophy on the gun rules, as I understand them. (I'm paraphrasing) Everything the NRA does (in teaching anyway) is to treat the firearm as an inanimate tool, that by itself is harmless. So all their literature is worded to make firearms as neutral as possible. Jeff Cooper's Second Rule: Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy, has a much more negative connotation than the NRA's First Rule of Gun Safety: Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction. Both accomplish the same task, and convey similar thoughts of being safe and responsible with firearms. I've watched many debates over which gun safety rules are best, and, quite frankly, they are all good. A lot depends on the audience; and with the NRA, their audience is the uneducated general public (when teaching is concerned). I'm not 100% sure on this, but I believe the NRA LEO side of training uses 4 gun safety rules. I'll have to check with one of my LEO Instructor friends on that one. In our classes (basic and instructor) we stress the 3 main rules. We teach the others, so the students are aware of them. But if the student adheres to the 3 fundamental rules, they they are pretty safe. Or so we all hope
Charlie, you or anyone following along are always welcome at our classes. If I know you're coming I will bring the TC guide for you to look at. If you don't need or want a class, feel free to come 'audit' one. Since we're both in the NVA area maybe we'll meet at a local VGOF event.
Tony
Regarding BIT, I've sometimes shared the same sentiment. But every once in a while we get a 30+ military veteran in one of our classes (usually RSO) that just wants to do it their way, and are only in our class because they 'need the check in the NRA box.' Those are the most difficult students.
"some portions are well past their sell-by dates" You don't know how accurate a statement that can be. While the NRA may be a huge organization, the Training and Education Department is relatively small, and constantly busy (and on the road). Some of the student course material (rifle and shotgun for instance) are horribly out of date. They just don't have the man power to update them. The Pistol material only got a major revision in 2009 (prior edition was 10-15 years old; I don't remember the exact date). There are minor revisions during each printing, but in whole they still have outdated material. A great example is the evolution of shotgun slug technology. TCs and Instructors are allowed a little leeway to update some material 'on the fly' in class to bring it up to modern technology standards.
For Pistol Instructor, the course of fire is 20 rounds, slow fire, in two groups of 10 or 4 groups of 5, standing, two-handed, at a 9 inch target at 15 yards. Each group of shots must be within a 6 inch group to count for score. Hits outside the 6-inch group do not count. The target size can vary (there is a formula) based on actual target distances if your range facilities differ.
You are correct; we're looking for shooting proficiency, not distinguished experts. There are waivers for the live fire. If you can prove skill via some recognized group association, then the TC has the option to waive the student's live fire assessment. For example, here is the Pistol Qual:
"Alternatively, candidates may provide documented proof of Classified Sharpshooter or better in NRA Conventional or Action Pistol, Classified Marksman or better in International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) or Classified Marksman or better in US Practical Shooting Association(USPSA)/International Practical Shooting Confederation(lPSC) or a cert(fication as an NRA LEAD Handgun/Shotgun or Tactical Handgun certified instructor."
Incentives: There are none that I know of regarding 'finding' new instructors. There is the NRA Recruiter Program, but thats for recruiting new general NRA memberships.
This is the NRA's philosophy on the gun rules, as I understand them. (I'm paraphrasing) Everything the NRA does (in teaching anyway) is to treat the firearm as an inanimate tool, that by itself is harmless. So all their literature is worded to make firearms as neutral as possible. Jeff Cooper's Second Rule: Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy, has a much more negative connotation than the NRA's First Rule of Gun Safety: Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction. Both accomplish the same task, and convey similar thoughts of being safe and responsible with firearms. I've watched many debates over which gun safety rules are best, and, quite frankly, they are all good. A lot depends on the audience; and with the NRA, their audience is the uneducated general public (when teaching is concerned). I'm not 100% sure on this, but I believe the NRA LEO side of training uses 4 gun safety rules. I'll have to check with one of my LEO Instructor friends on that one. In our classes (basic and instructor) we stress the 3 main rules. We teach the others, so the students are aware of them. But if the student adheres to the 3 fundamental rules, they they are pretty safe. Or so we all hope
Charlie, you or anyone following along are always welcome at our classes. If I know you're coming I will bring the TC guide for you to look at. If you don't need or want a class, feel free to come 'audit' one. Since we're both in the NVA area maybe we'll meet at a local VGOF event.
Tony