As gun ownership continues to grow in popularity, the need for responsible firearms instructors is on the rise. Firearms instructors are tasked with teaching gun safety, proper handling, and marksmanship to individuals who wish to own or carry a firearm. They play a crucial role in ensuring that gun owners have the necessary skills and knowledge to use firearms safely and effectively.
The importance of firearms training and education cannot be overstated. According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 38,000 people in the United States died from firearm-related injuries in 2019. Many of these deaths could have been prevented if gun owners had received proper training and education on firearms safety.
If you have a passion for firearms and a desire to help others, becoming a firearms instructor may be the perfect career path for you. However, it’s important to understand the steps required to become a certified firearms instructor. In the following sections, we will outline the requirements and steps you need to take to become a firearms instructor, whether you are interested in teaching law enforcement, military, civilian, or concealed carry courses.
Table of Contents
- Meet the Requirements
- Choose a Specialization
- Get Certified
- Gain Practical Experience
- Establish Your Business
- Market Yourself
- Final thoughts
Meet the Requirements
Before embarking on the journey to become a firearms instructor, it’s important to understand the requirements you must meet. These requirements are in place to ensure that instructors are qualified and responsible individuals who can teach others how to safely and responsibly handle firearms.
The first requirement is age. In most states, you must be at least 21 years old to become a firearms instructor. This requirement is in place to ensure that instructors have enough life experience and maturity to handle the responsibility of teaching firearms.
Another important requirement is a clean criminal history. As a firearms instructor, you will be teaching others how to handle firearms, and a criminal record could make you ineligible for certification. It’s essential to undergo a background check to ensure that you have a clean criminal record.
Education is also an essential requirement for becoming a firearms instructor. While there are no specific educational requirements to become a firearms instructor, having a degree in a related field such as criminal justice, law enforcement, or military science can be beneficial.
Firearms proficiency is another crucial requirement for becoming a firearms instructor. You must have extensive knowledge and experience in handling firearms, as well as an understanding of marksmanship and shooting techniques.
Finally, you must have legal authority to carry firearms. This means that you must have a concealed carry permit or a permit to carry a firearm for self-defense in public places. Without legal authority to carry firearms, you will not be eligible for certification as a firearms instructor.
Choose a Specialization
Once you have met the requirements to become a firearms instructor, the next step is to choose a specialization. There are four primary areas of specialization for firearms instructors: law enforcement, military, civilian, and concealed carry. Each specialization requires a different set of skills and knowledge, and it’s essential to choose the one that aligns with your interests and experience.
One specialization for firearms instructors is law enforcement. Law enforcement instructors teach police officers and other law enforcement personnel how to safely and effectively handle firearms. They must have a deep understanding of law enforcement tactics, as well as knowledge of state and federal laws related to firearms.
Another specialization is military. Military instructors teach military personnel how to handle firearms in combat situations. They must be highly proficient in firearms handling and marksmanship, as well as an understanding of military tactics and strategies.
Civilian firearms instructors teach individuals who are interested in owning or carrying firearms for personal protection or recreation. They focus on teaching gun safety, proper handling techniques, and marksmanship to individuals who may not have prior firearms experience. They must have excellent communication skills and the ability to work with individuals of varying skill levels.
Finally, concealed carry instructors teach individuals who have a concealed carry permit how to safely and effectively carry firearms in public places. They must have extensive knowledge of state and federal laws related to concealed carry, as well as an understanding of personal protection and self-defense tactics.
Get Certified
After you have chosen a specialization as a firearms instructor, the next step is to get certified. Certification is essential as it demonstrates to your clients and employers that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to teach firearms safety and handling.
The first step in getting certified is to choose a certification program. There are several organizations that offer firearms instructor certification programs, such as the National Rifle Association (NRA) and the International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors (IALEFI). It’s important to research each organization and their certification requirements before choosing a program.
Once you have chosen a certification program, you must register for the certification course. The course will cover a range of topics related to firearms safety, handling, and marksmanship. It may also include topics such as legal issues related to firearms, teaching techniques, and range management.
After completing the certification course, you must pass the certification exam. The exam will test your knowledge of firearms safety, handling, and marksmanship, as well as your understanding of legal issues related to firearms and teaching techniques. The exam may include both written and practical components, and it’s essential to study and practice thoroughly before taking the exam.
It’s important to note that the certification requirements may vary depending on the organization and the specialization you have chosen. For example, law enforcement firearms instructors may have additional certification requirements compared to civilian firearms instructors. It’s essential to research the certification requirements for your chosen specialization before beginning the certification process.
Gain Practical Experience
Gaining practical experience is crucial in becoming a successful firearms instructor. It allows you to hone your skills, build your confidence, and network with other firearms professionals. Here are some ways to gain practical experience as a firearms instructor:
The first way to gain practical experience is to intern with a firearms instructor. This will give you the opportunity to work alongside an experienced firearms instructor and learn from their expertise. You can observe their teaching style, techniques, and how they manage their classes. This will provide you with valuable insight and experience that you can apply to your own teaching.
The second way to gain practical experience is to teach firearm safety classes. Teaching classes will provide you with hands-on experience in developing lesson plans, teaching techniques, and classroom management. You can start by teaching friends and family, or by volunteering at local gun clubs or community centers. This will allow you to gain experience teaching individuals of different skill levels and backgrounds.
Attending seminars and conferences is also an excellent way to gain practical experience. Seminars and conferences provide an opportunity to learn from other firearms professionals, network, and stay up-to-date with the latest trends and techniques in the industry. You can attend seminars and conferences hosted by the NRA, IALEFI, and other firearms organizations.
Participating in shooting competitions is another way to gain practical experience. Competitions allow you to practice your marksmanship skills, learn new techniques, and network with other firearms enthusiasts. You can participate in local competitions, or national competitions hosted by organizations such as the United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA).
Establish Your Business
Once you have gained practical experience as a firearms instructor, the next step is to establish your business. Here are some important steps to consider:
The first step is to choose a business structure. You can choose to establish your business as a sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), or corporation. Each business structure has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it’s essential to research and choose the one that best suits your needs.
The second step is to create a business plan. A business plan is a document that outlines your business goals, target market, marketing strategies, financial projections, and other important details. It serves as a roadmap for your business and helps you stay focused on your goals.
The third step is to obtain necessary licenses and permits. The requirements for licenses and permits may vary depending on your location and the services you offer. It’s essential to research and obtain all necessary licenses and permits before starting your business.
The fourth step is to obtain insurance. As a firearms instructor, it’s essential to have insurance to protect yourself, your clients, and your business. You can obtain liability insurance, property insurance, and other types of insurance to cover your business operations.
Finally, you need to set up a training facility. This may include purchasing or renting a suitable training facility, obtaining necessary equipment and supplies, and ensuring that the facility meets all safety requirements.
Market Yourself
Marketing yourself is an essential step in establishing your firearms instruction business. Here are some ways to effectively market your services:
The first step is to build a website. A website is a powerful tool to showcase your services, experience, and credentials. It can also help you establish credibility and attract potential clients. Your website should include information about your services, pricing, contact information, and testimonials from satisfied clients.
The second step is to utilize social media. Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram can be great tools to promote your services and connect with potential clients. You can create business pages on these platforms, share photos and videos of your classes, and interact with your followers.
The third step is to advertise in relevant publications. You can advertise your services in firearms publications and other relevant publications to reach a wider audience. This can help you attract clients who are interested in firearms and looking for quality instruction.
The fourth step is to partner with shooting ranges and firearm stores. Partnering with local shooting ranges and firearm stores can help you reach potential clients who are already interested in firearms. You can offer your services as a guest instructor, and in turn, the shooting range or firearm store can promote your services to their customers.
The fifth step is to attend trade shows and events. Trade shows and events are great opportunities to showcase your services and connect with potential clients. You can attend local and national trade shows and events to network with other firearms professionals and showcase your expertise.
Final thoughts
Becoming a firearms instructor can be a fulfilling and rewarding career path for those with a passion for firearms and a desire to help others learn how to safely and effectively use them. Let’s recap the steps to becoming a firearms instructor:
- Meet the requirements: Ensure that you meet the necessary age, criminal history, education, firearms proficiency, and legal authority to carry firearms requirements.
- Choose a specialization: Decide which area you want to specialize in, such as law enforcement, military, civilian, or concealed carry.
- Get certified: Choose a certification program, register for the certification course, complete the course, and pass the certification exam.
- Gain practical experience: Intern with a firearms instructor, teach firearm safety classes, attend seminars and conferences, and participate in shooting competitions.
- Establish your business: Choose a business structure, create a business plan, obtain necessary licenses and permits, obtain insurance, and set up a training facility.
- Market yourself: Build a website, utilize social media, advertise in relevant publications, partner with shooting ranges and firearm stores, and attend trade shows and events to promote your services.
It’s also important to remember the importance of ongoing education and training. As a firearms instructor, it’s important to stay up-to-date with the latest safety guidelines, techniques, and technologies. You can attend seminars, workshops, and other training opportunities to continue learning and improving your skills.
Finally, we encourage you to pursue this career path if you have a passion for firearms and a desire to help others learn how to safely and effectively use them. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can become a successful firearms instructor and make a positive impact on the lives of your students.
