There are several reasons why you might be interested in taking a gun safety course. Whether or not you have any previous experience with handling one, it’s always beneficial for anyone to undergo a training course.
Maybe you’re interested in getting a conceal and carry for a gun of your own one day.
Perhaps you have found a new love for hunting and want to learn more about proper technique.
Whatever the case might be, there’s a gun safety course to help you develop some skill!
With so many options it can be hard to choose which class is right for you. Here are several factors to look for in the class you select.
1. Instructor’s Experience
Regardless of where you decide to take your gun safety course, you’ll want to be heeding the finest knowledge it has to offer.
It’s key to have an instructor with expertise and experience in the type of guns you’re interested in handling. An instructor without years of experience is still learning themselves and may teach you bad habits.
Prior to selecting a class, find a time to walk into the establishment and meet with one of the academy’s instructors. Ask them about their background to gauge whether or not they know their stuff.
Not only do the instructors need to have experience in handling guns… they need to have experience in teaching about gun safety.
Those with teaching experience know what all they need to cover and how to properly relay that information. An inexperienced instructor may struggle with overloading you with too much information at one time.
2. Instructor’s Communication Style
While you’re meeting with the instructor in person, pay close attention to how they talk to you. That will be a good indication of the way they communicate in sessions as well.
If all they want to talk about is their experience and what makes them so great, head for the hills. If you wanted to hear a life story you would watch a documentary, this is about finding someone to help guide you.
Don’t get caught up in how fun it is to talk to them. While that certainly helps in the instructing process, too much of it can cause the session to go off track.
Instead, look for the tidbits of advice they give you. Are they giving you insight into what makes their safety course different? Knowing what makes them unique shows how much effort they put into perfecting their craft.
3. Ask for Referrals from Friends
You probably have a friend or two that has a vested interest in guns or hunting. If so, it’s highly probable they know someone that instructs gun safety courses.
If they don’t, they can at least put you in touch with a buddy of theirs that does know an instructor.
Any time you can find an instructor or teacher through your network, it’s beneficial.
Should you hear the same instructor referenced multiple times as you ask around, that’s a great indication that they’re the real deal!
4. Check the Academy’s Affiliations
Often times a valuable instructor will have an established reputation in the community they’re located in.
That means that local police departments, gun clubs, and even military personnel at times, will opt for their safety course or just for them to oversee a training session.
Seeing as how these groups know what it takes to be a great gun safety instructor, you can bet on the guy or girl that they prefer their trainees to use.
5. Specified Courses
While looking at the details of the instructor you’ll have is certainly important (as previously pointed to), it’s not the only important aspect.
You’ll also want to take a hard look at the establishment where the instructor holds their courses.
Does it seem as if the gun range or gun club takes a premium in gun safety? Or do they view it as a minor obstacle before getting a gun in your hands?
One of the best ways to tell is by taking a look at the levels of courses they offer.
More courses mean they place a premium on teaching gun safety in increments.
6. Detail Steps to Each Course
All quality gun safety classes have a detailed itinerary to them. It’s a process that they’ve learned over the years of offering different classes.
The steps that are listed out will give you an idea of all the knowledge you’ll gain from it in the process.
More importantly, it gives the instructor a guide to staying on schedule. They won’t have to improvise and backtrack because it’s all listed out for them.
All they need to do is follow the schedule and unload their knowledge and expertise on you for every portion that’s listed out.
7. The Time That’s Required
Each safety course will give you an idea of how many weeks/months are required to complete it.
Take a look at your schedule and see if you’re ready to commit to the course ahead so that you’re making the most of your investment.
The course will be a fulfilling and exciting time, you just need to make sure you have the free time in your life to prioritize it.
Find the Gun Safety Course That’s Right for You!
Not every gun safety course is created equal; some of them are far more detailed than the others.
Be sure to read this article on why firearms training is important for your safety for more information on the benefits of taking a gun safety course.
For more inquiries, please reach out via our contact page and we’ll be happy to discuss your options with you further.
Looking to take a class to get a License To Carry certificate. Online