Over this past weekend I finally got to do my NRA instructor course so I can teach the permit to carry class here in Iowa. It takes about 6-8 weeks for the credentials to arrive, in the meantime I have to write a curriculum and figure out the logistics....has anyone else done this, or teach a class? I could certainly use some pointers on getting started, although I have a pretty good idea what I plan to teach.

Congrats on your certification!

I've been through two courses; FL and VA. The FL course was taught be retired LE, and the VA course was taught by an active SWAT member. The two courses were very different from each other. I'm assuming you need to fill at least a 4 hour requirement for IA, or is it more than that? I think the thing to remember is that everyone that enrolls in your course will have varying degrees of firearm knowledge. They will also have different reasons for why and how they want to carry. For this reason, I think it's important to start with basic common denominators and move up. This will bore the more seasoned student at first, but it will be a good review to possibly curb any bad habits while being a good primer for those with 'no' knowledge at all. I'm a pilot, so I believe someone must know how something works physically before they can understand how they will implement it as a tool. So, I would start my class this way if it were mine...

• Principles of Gun Safety
• 2nd Amendment Rights
• State/Local Rights (Open vs Concealed, Castle Doctrine if applicable)
• Definition of a firearm and ammunition and how it works (diagrams or video showing the action and cross section of cartridge)
• Process for purchasing and storing the firearm at home (safes, locks, kids, etc...)
• Types of firearms acceptable for Carry
• Types of ammunition acceptable for Carry
• Types of holsters acceptable for Carry
• Proper storage on or about the person
• What to do in a LE contact (traffic citation, etc...)
• Basic shooting position (Weaver, Modified Weaver, etc...)
• Proper deployment (draw from concealment; practice practice practice for muscle memory)
• Proper grip
• Proper sight picture (do the dominant eye test)
• Proper breathing technique
• Proper trigger technique
• Proper follow through
• Proper re-holstering
• What to do after a shooting
• Mental aspects behind drawing a firearm
• Examples of when it's been successful and a failure (both sides are a must for person to make an individual decision; Check NRA rags)
• The Law (have the law spelled out verbatim for your state, county, and municipality)
• Principles of Gun Safety (again)
• Where to practice and the importance of it.
• Function tests
• FTF exercise
• Q&A
• Brief Test
• Have them handle a firearm (demonstrate they can pick it up, clear it, function test it, and pass it off to the next person safely)

I am not an instructor, and this was off my head. I may have left some things out or gone too far, but it's the outline I would use to get started. I tried to think it through in a logical order, but there is probably no right way. There are several instructors on here that will give you some great advice when they chime in. Don't just do the bare minimum, as I think it does the student and the community a disservice in possibly putting a dangerous handler out on the street with false confidence. Train them like you will be the one having dinner with them when they are carrying and need to back you up. In other words, train them to the standard you hold for yourself, which I know is high.

As for teaching technique, I have given over 700 hours of flight instruction with countless hours of ground school and I have written my own curriculum for that back in the early 90's. Your preparedness will make you look like a professional along with your knowledge and anticipation of questions with the answers already built into your presentation. There should be no personal motivations about emmotional, political, or other areas that you shine onto your class. The choice to carry is a personal choice, and the decision to draw and fire is also self-motivated. Keep it clinical with no agenda other than the emphasis on the rights granted by the constitution and the guidelines set by law and ordinance.

Hope this helps.

The NRA has a very strict outline that you are required to follow don't they? I am an NRA instructor too but I do not teach their classes anymore. The curriculum is for stupid people and I can't deal with stupid people anymore.

I think their syllabus is a foundation requirement. You can add to it. The basic NRA class is a joke. Beware the instructor that sticks with the minimum outline. They just want your money for very time put in. They are usually the guys that charge the most and guarantee you out the quickest. Everyone loses big on that one but the instructor. It's a shame they don't have spot inspections on the classes being taught, but I guess the NRA has low standards to begin with. The individual instructor can make it so much more I would hope.

Gun Doc... I have been NRA certified instructor since 1996, but I really only teach to LEO and Retired LEO's. The last class I held for non-LEO's was about 2002 and it was just a basic firearms safety class followed up by a basic handgun class. I have never taught CCW to non-LEO's, even thought I am qualified to teach it... With Az. new law allowing CCW without the need for a permit, the only real reason to have a permit around here any more is for reciprocity and to speed things up when purchaing a firearm (don't have to undergo the background check phone call if you have a CCW permit).

Sorry I can't be more help.

-Tac

check out this book http://keyhousepress.com/ i bought one when i took the class it was 16$ at the class and it is a complete review of the class. it goes over the following in pretty good detail. i know your in iowa and would have to change all the legal stuff. but its a really good guideline to get you going. it goes really in depth into alot of things and there is so much that isnt listed here. here is another link that gives more detail also http://keyhousepress.com/minnesota.html

• How to apply for a permit, who is eligible, why you might be
  denied, and what to do if you are denied.
  
• Where you can legally carry, where you are banned from
  carrying, or where you must inform the appropriate authority or
  get written permission before you carry.
  
• Understanding your obligations during encounters with law
  enforcement.
  
• A detailed explanation of why you might be charged with "carrying
  under the influence" or "negligent storage."
  
• What those "bans guns" signs in Minnesota really mean.
  
• Detailedexplanations, illustrations, and scenarios for how
  Minnesota courts will view any use of force to defend yourself,
  another person, your home, or your property.
  
• Developing a Personal Protection Plan
  
• Handgun and Ammunition Basics
  
• Shooting Fundamentals for Defensive Accuracy
  
• Minnesota Law
  
• The Legal Use of Force in Minnesota
  
• Violent Encounters and Their Aftermath
  
• Gear and Gadgets for the Permit Holder
  
• Basic and Advanced Skills.
  

it is a really good book i think and the class was pretty much the guy reciting this book along with a slide show of it that he made and then he passed around some of his guns that were different types,shapes and sizes. the guy did a great job and i recommend him to people and he pretty much used this book for curriculum. i could accually mail the book i have to you if you could send it back in a few weeks.

Tac most of the LEO's around here take the class from fellow LEO's and unfortunately they kinda have a prejudice against anyone outside of their clique getting training or a permit for that matter. So I am hoping to take up some of that slack. Even the woman at the Sheriff's department was asking about it when I renewed my permit this year.

Pyro the NRA certification was only a requirement to teach the class in Iowa. I do not have to follow their curriculum at all. I am supposed to teach one a year (NRA official curriculum) or sit in on one, to keep instructor status. And pay of course.....

Room... yeah the outline you have there is pretty close to what I was thinking. The class doesn't have a time requirement anymore, in fact here is a copy of the FAQ via Iowa DPS in case you guys wanted to see it...

http://www.dps.state.ia.us/asd/SF2379_FAQ_Version1_0.pdf

I am excited to get started I just have to wait for the credentials now. It was difficult to find a class when I got my permit years ago, so I wanted to get certified to teach so it wouldn't be for new applicants. So far I have about 40 people or so wanting to take the class from me. I have to figure out a place of course, which seems to be the challenge. I have about four acres of yard here and if necessary I could teach the non-shooting classes here. Most of the people who want this class are known to me and avid shooters so most of it will be remedial for them to say the least. I also intend to teach a beginners class, for new shooters to help with basic handling and shooting techniques, and have already looked into the insurance as well. It should be a learning experience for me as well. I look forward to the challenge!

Good luck with your classes Gun Doc...

Before they removed the permit requirement here in Az., the lesson plan for the class was pretty much dictated by D.P.S. (Az. Department of Public Safety), who ran the state licensing program. LEO's were never mandated to get a permit to carry ccw, as their sworn peace officer status granted them that privlege under state law. I have taught CCW classes to LEO's in order to teach concealed draws, concealment techiques, etc., specifically for detectives and plain clothes officers, but I have never taught a class for the purpose of licensing someone to carry CCW. As far as the cops in Iowa being prejidiced towards anyone else teaching/carrying goes... all I can say I hope their perspective changes. There have been several incidents here where legally armed citizens have backed up and even saved the bacon of a couple of cops when the chips were down.

I know several very good private CCW instructors and as a matter of routine, I refer people to them weekly.

At any rate, I hope your classes go well and you bring more upstanding folks into the fold...

-Tac

I hope so too. Most of the people who have already shown interest in the class,are definitely upstanding. many are corrections officers, and professionals. And. hey I intend to show the holster and stuff I got from you off in the class, so there is that....