Instructor: Mark A. Caruso (NRA Certified – Rifle, Pistol, Shotgun, Home Firearm Safety, Personal Protection in the Home, Personal Protection Outside the Home, Chief Range Safety Officer)

Classroom Location: 534 Park Av. Norton, Virginia 24273

Range: City of Norton Police Range

Course Goal: To teach the basic knowledge, skills and attitude necessary for owning and using a pistol safely.

Course Length: 8 hours (8 AM to about 4:00 PM)

Curriculum: This Course will satisfy the training requirements for a concealed carry permit in Virginia.

What to bring: Bring your pistol (any caliber...however, you should bring the one you plan to carry if possible), eye and ear protection and 50 rounds of ammo. LEAVE YOUR AMMO IN THE CAR! NO AMMO IN THE CLASSROOM!

What we will provide: Lunch, Snacks, Textbook, classroom materials, targets, safe learning environment.

NOTE: (This training is step one in receiving your concealed carry permit.  If you want to carry concealed, you must submit your application to the clerk of the court in the county in which you reside).

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

· State the course goal and any special requirements for the lessons

·  Identify the principal parts of a pistol and  the types of pistol  actions, and demonstrate how they function

·  State, explain and apply the NRA rules for safe  gun handling

·  Demonstrate how to handle a pistol in a safe manner

·  Identify the different components of a pistol cartridge

·  Explain the firing sequence of a cartridge

·  Explain how to properly identify and store ammunition

·  State the major types of cartridge malfunctions, and how to react to them

·  Explain the fundamentals of pistol shooting

· Safely demonstrate the knowledge, skills  and attitude necessary to assume the one- Handed / two handed standing shooting position and bench rest position

· Safely shoot a pistol from the one-handed / two handed standing shooting and bench rest position using the fundamentals of pistol shooting at a target on a range

· Safely demonstrate the knowledge, skills and attitude necessary to  conduct live fire training on a range

· Properly score a pistol target

·  Explain the basic guidelines for selecting and purchasing a pistol

·  Identify the materials needed to clean a pistol

·  Demonstrate how to safely clean a pistol

· Identify several ways to pursue pistol shooting after the course

·  Successfully complete the NRA basic pistol shooting course written examination

 

LESSON I: PISTOL KNOWLEDGE AND SAFE GUN HANDLING

· Gun owner’s responsibilities

· Reasons to own a pistol

·  Pistol action types

·  Main parts of a pistol

·  Parts of a revolver

· Functions of a revolver

·  Parts of a semi-automatic pistol

·  Functions of a semi-automatic pistol

· Types of semi-automatic pistol actions

· Causes of firearm accidents

· NRA rules for safe gun handling

 

LESSON II: AMMUNITION KNOWLEDGE AND THE FUNDAMENTALS OF PISTOL SHOOTING

· Cartridge components

·  Rimfire and centerfire cartridges

·  Cartridge firing sequence

·  Cartride designation and identification

·  +P and +p+ cartridges

· Ammunition storage

·  Types of cartridge

·   malfunctions

·  Dominant eye

·  Position

·  Elements of the one hand, two hand, and bench rest position

 

LESSON III: FIRING THE FIRST SHOTS

· Range layout and limits

·  NRA rules for safe gun handling

·  NRA rules for using and storing a gun

·  General range safety rules

·  Questions/problems on the firing line

·  Hygiene  guidelines

·  Range commands

·  Adjusting the sights

 

LESSON IV: SCORING TARGETS, AND SELECTING AND MAINTAINING YOUR PISTOL

· Scoring targets

·  Types of pistols

·  Selecting a pistol (factors & procedure)

·  Caring for the pistol

·  Gun cleaning equipment

·  Gun cleaning procedure

·  Pistol storage

LESSON V: CONTINUED OPPORTUNITIES FOR SKILL DEVELOPMENT

· Winchester/NRA marksmanship qualification program

·  NRA training opportunities

·  Competitive shooting

·  NRA clubs

·  NRA programs

·  NRA history & goals

·  Benefits of NRA membership

LESSON VI: LIVE FIRE EXERCISE

Student must demonstrate the following:

Load, unload, cock, de-cock, fire, make safe the firearm, while handling the firearm safely

· 10 Rounds / 4ft / One hand Standing

· 10 Rounds / 7ft / Two Hand Standing

· 30 Rounds / 15ft / Benchrest Position

WRITTEN TEST

50 questions

Note:   Concealed Carry considerations and issues are discussed in association with this course.