The NRA stepped out of the box when it created the Personal Protection outside the Home Course in 2007. The course was outside the normal for the NRA, concealed carry, drawing from a concealed holster, shooting while moving, using low and high cover, reviewing equipment, this was not the normal NRA Course.

What was the NRA shooting for when they developed this course?

The United States is going through a movement to arm its self.State after state have adopted or modified the concealed carry regulations to make it easier to carry. In many states it is now easier for states to recognize other state permits. In most states the individual now has no excuse not to protect ones self. With this movement comes a dilemma of obtaining a permit to carry a concealed weapon which does not, in most cases, require you to demonstrate anything other than a fundamental understanding of a handgun. In the future I can imagine most states will have more strict minimum training requirements.

Should there be a national standardfor training to carry a concealed weapon?

The NRA, with a 14 hour course in the fundamentals of concealed carry, has a good start on what a national standard would look like.

I attended the Protection outside the Home Course in the fall of2007 and was impressed with the overall quality of the course.Instructor TJ Johnston was an excellent instructor and the course wasa great success from my perspective.

Thanks to the coordination of NRA Instructor and Counselor Ken Zachary, TJ was back in Fresno California at THE RANGE to conduct atrain the trainer course for established NRA instructors. TJ is a Master Counselor with the NRA, has served on National Training Committees and runs All Safe Defense Systems in Orange California.

Among the instructors taking the course was Ernie and Craig, two of the Carryconcealed.net contributors and administrators. Craig also set up door prizes supplied by Carryconcealed.net.

The 14 hour course covered the NRA doctrine on training and required the instructors to understand and demonstrate the appropriate techniques in preparation to becoming instructors for this course. All students were NRA instructors, were proficient in the pistol discipline and have completed the Personal Protection Outside The Home Course.

The classroom discussions reflected on the overall reason for the course and the why behind some of the decisions the NRA made when developing this course. The NRA requires each instructor to follow the NRA lesson plans and doctrine. Any time you add something to the curriculum you must explain to the student that this is not an NRA approved technique or skill. Each instructor had to show proficiency in each of the drills, by shooting the course of fire, by being able to instruct each course of fire and maintain range safety during the course of fire. All of the instructors have been through the course but many of the drills are not standard to other courses so it takes some work. TJ took all of instructors through each part of the course step by step.

As an observer it was obvious that the instructors were challenged by the drawing from a purse drill. They were all required to demonstrate and shoot from a purse. This can become an unsafe drill at any time due to process of drawing from a purse and muzzle control. All of the drills required in the course were demonstrated and practiced. All questions were discussed as a group. A common understanding of what was needed as an instructor was reached and alternative instructor techniques were documented.

As of Sunday there were 10 new Personal Protection Outside The Home Instructors loose in California. They will go out and preach the word that there is only one thing more The NRA stepped out of the box when it created the Personal Protection outside the Home Course in 2007. The course was outside the normal for the NRA, concealed carry, drawing from a concealed holster, shooting while moving, using low and high cover, reviewing equipment, this was not the normal NRA Course. expensive than training and that is not training.

Carrying a concealed weapon is an awesome responsibility. Shooting a couple of times a year at a stationary target is not a good regime to stay proficient. One must continue to seek out education and training in order to improve both mentally and with your skills. This course can and should be part of your education as an individual who carries a concealed firearm in any state.

Thanks again to THE RANGE, TJ Johnston and Ken Zachary for their expertise and dedication to training.

For More information contact the NRA on the web or your local NRA instructor.

The Range Pistol Club

5151 Gates Ave., Fresno Ca. 93722

Ken Zachary, K and D firearms Training 559-250-8165

T.J. Johnston, All Safe Defense Systems

1026 N. Tustin Ave., Orange, Ca, 92867

714-744-4485

The first day course of fire consisted of 4 1/2 hours of basic CCW training utilizing concealed weapons. The students used a variety of concealed clothing including, vest, sweat shirts, dress shirts and jackets. Retention shooting, multiple threat shooting, firing utilizing high cover and the advantages of firing while moving were a few of the subjects covered.

The second day course of fire was also about 4 1/2 hours and included retention fire, firing while retreating to low cover, shooting while kneeling, prone shooting at single and multiple targets, turning 90 and 180degrees to fire and shooting with tactical flashlights in darkness.

This course fits the needs of any serious concealed carry student wanting an orientation to how to increase the skills and mindset when involved with concealed carry and utilizing lethal force. 14 hours is a long 2 days but is well worth the effort and the $250 cost.

Carryconcealed.net promoted the course with a drawing for concealed carry items. These were well received by the students.

I would like to thank to TJ Johnston, Ken Zachary, THE RANGE, Alex Reynaud my shooting partner and my fellow shooters for a great 2 days.

The Range Pistol Club
5151 N. Gates Avenue
Fresno, CA 93722

Phone:  559.277.9800
http://www.therangepistolclub.com