Training Class Descriptions

Training Classes Offered at the Firearms Education and Training Center

Home Firearm Safety – 3–4 hours
Fee: $40

A non-shooting course that covers rules of safe gun handling, identifying and unloading different firearms, practical hands-on exercises in safe gun handling, and information on ammunition and the safe cleaning and storage of firearms.

Refuse to Be a Victim – 3–4 hours Fee: $20
A seminar with topics on the psychology of criminal predators, mental preparedness, home security, physical security, automobile security, out-of-town travel security, technological security, self-defense physical training and personal protection devices. This is not a firearms shooting course.

First Steps Pistol – 4 hours
Fee: $45

A 4-hour course that provides a thorough introduction to handgun safety, handling, and shooting skills. Designed for beginning handgun shooters, course topics include: pistol safety, parts and operation; an introduction to ammunition and the fundamentals of pistol shooting; an introduction to shooting a pistol from the benchrest position; and an introduction to pistol cleaning. Ownership of a handgun is not required.

Basic Pistol Shooting – 8 hours
Fee: $75

A more extensive basic handgun course covering all topics in the First Steps Pistol course plus instruction on shooting from the two-handed and one-handed standing positions. Students will have approximately 3 hours of range time with instructors. Ownership of a handgun is not required.

First Steps Rifle – 4 hours
Fee: $45

A 4-hour course that provides a thorough introduction to rifle safety, handling, and shooting skills. Designed for beginning rifle shooters, course topics include: rifle safety, parts and operation; an introduction to ammunition and the fundamentals of rifle shooting; an introduction to shooting a rifle from the benchrest position; and an introduction to rifle cleaning. Ownership of a rifle is not required. Excellent course for young people interested in getting into the shooting sports.

Basic Defensive Shotgun – 4 hours
Fee: $45

**NEW Course**
A 4 hour introduction to defensive shotgun shooting. The course is designed for beginner shotgun shooters and individuals that have a shotgun for home defense. Course topics include safety procedures, equipment and ammunition selection, defensive shotgun shooting skills, malfunctions, cleaning and storage. Students will spend approximately 2 hours on the range participating in various shooting exercises. Students will need a 12- or 20-gauge shotgun for the class.

Basic Metallic Cartridge Reloading – 8 hours
Fee: $75

The reloading course exposes students to the fundamentals of metallic (rifle and pistol) cartridge reloading. The course is designed to enable shooters with little or no prior experience in reloading to acquire the necessary knowledge, skills and attitude to produce safe, consistent, and accurate reloaded ammunition. Students will receive a student handbook and reloading information from various manufactures, and will have the opportunity to practice reloading.

Personal Protection in the Home – 8 hours
Fee: $75

A course for individuals with some experience in handgun shooting that want to focus on personal protection. There are lessons on defensive shooting,
basic defensive handgun skills, firearms and the law, strategies for home safety and responding to a violent confrontation, and selecting a handgun for
self-defense. Students will need their own handguns. There will be approximately 3 hours of range shooting.

N.C. Hunter Safety Course – 10 hours Fee: Free
Required course to receive a North Carolina Hunting License. Course is approximately one and one-half days long with an opportunity for students to shoot their hunting guns on the second day.

Personal Protection Outside the Home – 14 hours
Fee: $90

This intermediate level handgun course provides students with the knowledge, skills and attitude essential for avoiding dangerous confrontations and for the safe, effective and responsible use of a concealed pistol for self-defense outside the home. Students may use a quality, strong-side hip holster that covers the trigger, or a holster purse.

The course is divided into two levels (basic and advanced). Level one is a nine-hour course and offers the knowledge and skills that must be mastered in order to carry, store and use a firearm safely and effectively for personal protection outside the home. Upon completion of Level One, students may choose to attend Level Two on the second day, which is an additional five hours of range training and teaches advanced shooting skills.

For Level One students should expect to spend several hours on the range and shoot approximately 100 rounds of ammunition. Level Two requires approximately 115 rounds of ammunition. Students will receive a handbook, safety brochure and the appropriate course completion certificate(s). Participants in this course must be at least 21 years of age and possess defensive pistol skills. Participants must know and observe not only general gun safety rules, but also those safety principles that are specific to defensive situations.