NRA Personal Protection Outside the Home Course - Click here to register.

Time Required:  At least 11 hours, more like 15 hours if you shoot Lesson VII (“Advanced Shooting Techniques)

Who should attend?  This is not a course for inexperienced shooters.  Students who cannot upon registration, keep at least 90% of shots on a sheet of typing paper at 21 feet will probably not do well in this course.  This is a very basic concealed carry course.  It is appropriate for those who are or are thinking about legally carrying in public places but are not safe and competent when presenting a pistol from concealment and delivering accurate shots at distances from 3 to 25 yards.

Goal: To develop in students the knowledge, skills, and attitude essential for avoiding dangerous confrontations and for the safe, effective and responsible use of a concealed handgun for self-defense outside the home.

Deposit:  $50    Course fee:   $300 

Certificate Issued:  Yes if you complete the course.

Prerequisites: 1.     Complete the NRA Personal Protection in the Home Course. 
If you cannot handle a pistol safely and keep your shots on a sheet of typing paper at 21 feet you are not ready for this course.
2.     Attend the SMFTS Firearms and the Law class.  No certificates issued until you take this class.
3.     If you have yet attended the SMFTS Firearms and the Law class you must provide a copy of one of the following documents either by e-Mail attachment of hard copy on the day of the class.
      Valid carry license from any state
      Military ID card
      Law Enforcement ID card
      State employee ID card
      Armed Security Guard ID card
      Receipt for purchase of a firearm from an FFL dealer within the last 5 years.  
Student equipment:
Note paper, pencil or pen
Eye and ear protection
Baseball cap
Centerfire pistol for which your strong side thumb can reach the magazine release
Rigid holster (kydex or reinforced leather)  Must retain its shape when empty.
Good pistol belt
Magazine pouch
at least 3 magazines
At least 500 rounds of professionally manufactured ammunition
Water
lunch

Learning Objectives: 
Lesson I: Introduction to Concealed Carry Safety and The Defensive Mindset      
1. The importance of carrying and using a handgun responsibly and ethically for personal protection outside the home.
2. How the three fundamental NRA rules for safe gun handling apply when carrying or using a concealed handgun outside the home.
3. How the NRA rules for using or storing a gun apply when carrying or using a concealed handgun outside the home.
4. Special safety considerations that must be observed when carrying or using a concealed handgun outside the home. 
5. The various techniques for storing a handgun safely outside the home.
6. The four levels of awareness and how they apply to concealed carry outside the home.

Lesson II: Introduction to Self Defense and Concealed Carry
1. The importance of mental preparation and developing the proper mindset for carrying and using a handgun for personal protection and facing a life-threatening encounter outside the home.
2. Techniques for avoiding life-threatening confrontations outside the home.
3. The psychological and physiological changes that may occur during an attack.   
4. The differences between having a firearm for personal protection in the home and carrying a handgun for personal protection outside the home.
5. Techniques for controlling and responding to a violent encounter outside the home.
6. The emotional, legal and social aftermath of a defensive shooting outside the home.

Lesson III: Legal Aspects of Concealed Cary and Self-Defense
This topic is covered in the SMFTS Firearms and the Law Class.
Lesson IV: Carry Modes and Handgun Concealment
1. Identify the various handgun concealed carry modes and the benefits and limitations of each.
2. Explain the basic principles of handgun concealment as they relate to the carrying of a handgun for self-defense outside the home.

Lesson V: Presenting the Handgun from Concealment
1. Explain and demonstrate the techniques for safely presenting a concealed handgun and re-holstering.   1. Present from open carry and shoot 2.  Present from concealment and shoot
Lesson VI: Presentation, Position and Movement
Learning Objectives: As a result of your participation in this lesson, you will be able to present a handgun from concealment and shoot targets in the center of mass:
1. After moving to a high barricade.   2. Engaging two targets.
3. Using aimed fire technique with the strong hand only.
4. Using point shooting technique with two hands.
5. Using point shooting technique with the strong hand only.

Lesson VII: (Advanced) Special Shooting Techniques Learning Objectives: As a result of your participation in this lesson, you will be able to present a concealed handgun, conduct speed reloading, clear stoppages of your handgun and shoot targets in the center of mass:
1.   Using hip shooting techniques with the strong hand only (“speed rock”).
2.   Moving rearward, stopping and shooting.
3.   From standing to kneeling behind a low barricade.
4.   From standing to squatting behind a low barricade. Moving to a low barricade, then kneeling or squatting.
5.   From sitting to standing.
6.   From standing, turning left 90 degrees to the target.
7.   From standing, turning right 90 degrees to the target.
8.   From standing, turning left 180 degrees to the target.
9.   From standing, turning right 180 degrees to the target.
10. Engaging a target at extended range.  
11. Under low light conditions.