Home >> Collecting >> Gun Collecting

How to Become a State-Certified Concealed Carry Instructor

The right for Americans to bear arms is granted by the second amendment of the U.S. Constitution, but each state determines its own gun laws, including concealed carry laws. According to the National Rifle Association, 37 states allow citizens to carry concealed weapons as of 2010. A CCW instructor teaches students how to use their firearms to satisfy the requisites of a CCW permit. Because there is no standard CCW law, certification to become an instructor varies from state to state. Many states require certification from the NRA or a law enforcement training program.

Things You'll Need

Gun
Concealed weapons permit
CCW instruction certification

Instructions

- 1
  Review the CCW instructor's requirements in your state. This information is often found on the state Attorney General or county sheriff's website and will list instructor qualifications. For example, North Carolina requires CCW instructors to possess firearms certification, including the NRA firearms instructor certification, complete a course on concealed handgun laws, posses a firearms permit and have a clean criminal record.
- 2
  Find an NRA firearms training training course. Visit the NRA website (NRAhq.org) and select "Firearm Training." The three most common NRA instruction certificates required for you to become an instructor are "Personal Protection," "Police Firearms" and "Basic Pistol." Select one of these three courses and provide your ZIP code to find classes near the area where you live.
- 3
  Enroll in the NRA firearms training certification course. Your hours of required study will differ based on the course you are taking. For example, the Basic Pistol Shooting Course, which teaches basic knowledge and skills for safe use of a pistol spans eight hours of classwork and range time. You will have to pass an examination to receive the course completion certificate.
- 4
  Become an NRA certified instructor. To qualify for this designation, you must first complete a basic NRA training course, then complete an instructor level course that teaches you how to train others to operate their guns in a safe manner. A list of instructor level courses is available on the NRA website. To receive the NRA instructor certification, you must be endorsed by the NRA training counselor who provides your instructor training.
- 5
  Enroll in a state law enforcement CCW training course. Many states require both the NRA certification and a state-specific instructor certificate. For example, the Utah requires all CCW instructors to posses an NRA firearms instructor certificate and a Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification instruction course.

Gun Collecting