NRA Training

[DemolitionMan]

I'm hoping that a forum member or two might be able to help me with a few questions about NRA training. I am very involved in scouting -- Cub Master for a Pack, Assistant Scout Master for a Troop, helping to start a Venturing Crew, etc, etc. One of the great things about scouting is that it still teaches marksmanship skills to young men, and I've been happy to see my sons and their friends enjoying time on the range.

Unfortunately summer camp is often the only range time the boys get. I would like to be able to run ranges for my own unit and others in the area. Another forum member and fellow scouter kindly pointed me in the right direction to find the BSA training requirements. I need to become an NRA certified Instructor in Rifle (and probably Shotgun and Handgun too), as well as a certified Range Safety Officer.

I've been trying to use the NRA site, Google, and even searching this site to look for trainers offering these courses in the Indianapolis / central Indiana area without much success. I did find some trainers in Ohio but I'd rather find someone closer if possible. If you happen to know a person or business doing that I'd appreciate any information you have.

Thanks,
Doug

[JimFloyd]

Originally Posted by DemolitionMan

I'm hoping that a forum member or two might be able to help me with a few questions about NRA training. I am very involved in scouting -- Cub Master for a Pack, Assistant Scout Master for a Troop, helping to start a Venturing Crew, etc, etc. One of the great things about scouting is that it still teaches marksmanship skills to young men, and I've been happy to see my sons and their friends enjoying time on the range.

Unfortunately summer camp is often the only range time the boys get. I would like to be able to run ranges for my own unit and others in the area. Another forum member and fellow scouter kindly pointed me in the right direction to find the BSA training requirements. I need to become an NRA certified Instructor in Rifle (and probably Shotgun and Handgun too), as well as a certified Range Safety Officer.

I've been trying to use the NRA site, Google, and even searching this site to look for trainers offering these courses in the Indianapolis / central Indiana area without much success. I did find some trainers in Ohio but I'd rather find someone closer if possible. If you happen to know a person or business doing that I'd appreciate any information you have.

Thanks,
Doug

Jim Heath runs instructor courses in Indy. His info is on the NRA website.

Regards,

Jim

[DemolitionMan]

Originally Posted by JimFloyd

Jim Heath runs instructor courses in Indy. His info is on the NRA website.

Regards,

Jim

Thank you. I did see his info some time ago but it didn't list instructor courses for him. I tried to contact him anyway, hoping he might either offer the course sometime or point me towards someone who would, but never got a response. I'll try him again.

Are there any others?

[JimFloyd]

Originally Posted by DemolitionMan

Thank you. I did see his info some time ago but it didn't list instructor courses for him. I tried to contact him anyway, hoping he might either offer the course sometime or point me towards someone who would, but never got a response. I'll try him again.

Are there any others?

There are a lot of NRA instructors in Indy (including myself) but not many NRA training counselors, which what you need to make you an instructor.

Our firearms staff completes NRA instructor courses through Mad Duck Firearms Training in West Elkton, OH http://www.madduckttc.net/

Hope that helps and best wishes for your scouting program!

Regards,

Jim

[minuteman32]

Doug,

Try here; Find A Local NRA Safety Course

Indianapolis - Saturday, July 11, 2009, 7731E 1000N, $110
James R. Heath, 317-862-3237. , jamesrheath@aol.com

He is the Training Counselor that trained me, as well as several other folks. You'll need to contact him about Instructor courses, though.

Good luck.
minuteman32
NRA/UT CFP Instructor

[buzz815]

Jim heath has a first class facility. He is an ex-cop and has lots of stories and is a good instructor.

[DemolitionMan]

Originally Posted by JimFloyd

Our firearms staff completes NRA instructor courses through Mad Duck Firearms Training in West Elkton, OH HOME

Thanks for the information. It looks as though they may have a course that fits my schedule, at least to get the basic instructor part done.

Originally Posted by minuteman32

Try here; Find A Local NRA Safety Course

That link is where I found his information previously. I wish the site had a profile for the Counselors, something that lists all the kinds of training that they provide. I called the NRA and in *only* 3 weeks I should get a mailing that lists Indiana counselors. I feel like I'm in the 70's.

Thanks to both you and Buzz for the recommendation. I am going to try and reach him again. He sounds like a good guy, and I'd certainly like to stay local if I can!

[kludge]

You need to find an NRA Training Counsellor. James Heath is not a Training Counselor.

Once you are an NRA Certified Instuctor, you can take RSO by home study.

BSA Rules (if they haven't changed them) recently are...

Cub Scouts can only shoot BB guns and only at Cub Camp under certain rules. No Cub Shooting is allowed at the pack level.

Boy Scouts can only shoot .22's (single shot - loading the magazine is not allowed, no tubular magazines or semi-autos), air rifles, muzzleloaders and shotguns. No handguns. You must be an NRA Certified Instructor to be a merit badge counsellor for Rifle Shooting or Shotgun Shooting merit badges. (I'm a merit badge counselor for Rifle Shooting). To supervise scouts on the range you must be an RSO.

Guns and Firearms

Varsity Scouts are the same rules.

Venture Scouts may shoot handguns and all rifles (not just air rifles and .22's), under similar rules, but they must first take the NRA Basic Pistol Course.

[buzz815]

Originally Posted by kludge

You need to find an NRA Training Counsellor. James Heath is not a Training Counselor.

Once you are an NRA Certified Instuctor, you can take RSO by home study.

BSA Rules (if they haven't changed them) recently are...

Cub Scouts can only shoot BB guns and only at Cub Camp under certain rules. No Cub Shooting is allowed at the pack level.

Boy Scouts can only shoot .22's (single shot - loading the magazine is not allowed, no tubular magazines or semi-autos), air rifles, muzzleloaders and shotguns. No handguns. You must be an NRA Certified Instructor to be a merit badge counsellor for Rifle Shooting or Shotgun Shooting merit badges. (I'm a merit badge counselor for Rifle Shooting). To supervise scouts on the range you must be an RSO.

Guns and Firearms

Varsity Scouts are the same rules.

Venture Scouts may shoot handguns and all rifles (not just air rifles and .22's), under similar rules, but they must first take the NRA Basic Pistol Course.

Jim Heath is an NRA certified training counselor. I took all of my training at his facility.

[Greg.B]

DemolitionMan, I'm glad you found the link I sent you useful, and are glad to see that you're on your way towards creating more opportunities for the boys in your unit(s). You're correct that the BSA program does offer opportunities to the boys, but unfortunately, not nearly enough IMO.

I had the fortunate opportunity over the last 3 months to take my NRA Shotgun & Rifle Instructors classes along with the RSO class through our BSA council at a very reasonable price, and will be taking the Handgun Instructor class in about a month through the same program. Unfortunately, the classes here were only open to this Council, but maybe you could check with your Council's Shooting Sports Director to see if they offer anything similar.

I took the classes for the some of the same reasons as you; I wanted to be able to finish those partials, and provide more opportunities for the boys in our units. As soon as I took the certifications, I completed the BSA Merit Badge Counselor applications for rifle and shotgun, and did my first stint as a rifle instructor at this past June's summer camp. I can't tell you when I had a more enjoybable experience. We ran 32 boys through the rifle merit badge course, and 22 passed with just short of 3,100 rounds being fired for the week. In shotgun we only ran 4 boys through with 2 passing, and fired 362 rounds for the week. To see a boy shoot the rifle for the first time (in many cases that's the first time that they had fired ANY type of firearm) with groups of 6" or more shrinking to qualification size after working with them brought some of the biggest smiles I've seen for a long time.

I encourage you to get that training done. As I said in my response to your PM, if I can do anything to help, just give me a shout!