How about some NRA Instructor advice?

[BobK]

I've been thinking about getting certified as an NRA instructor for two reasons. First, ideological -- I'd like to help get more people involved in firearms. Second, and just as important, I'd like a little extra cash. Since I am now living in Texas instead of Ohio, and am obviously not in competition with any of the instructors here, how about some candid advice? If there are competitive tips you don't want to discuss in an open forum, feel free to PM me.

Some questions are:

• If I do not have my own range, I assume I'll need to rent some range space somewhere. Is this tough to do?
• Realistically, is this something I can make money at, or is it tough to get enough interest to build up student traffic?
• Would I be better off easing into it by trying to assist some other instructor at first instead of organizing my own classes?
• There are several courses I'd be interested in becoming qualified in (listed below). Do I have to first complete the course as a student before turning around and taking it again as instructor training?
• Since I live in a state where I would also need to get Texas-certified to teach the Texas CHL course, is there really much market demand for the other courses I listed?

Some courses I'd be interested in are:

• NRA Home Firearm Safety Instructor Course
• NRA Instructor Pistol Shooting Course
• NRA Instructor Rifle Shooting Course
• NRA Instructor Personal Protection In The Home Course
• NRA Instructor Metallic Cartridge Reloading Course

[JediSkipdogg]

• If I do not have my own range, I assume I'll need to rent some range space somewhere. Is this tough to do? If you are talking about renting from a place that is built as a range, yes. Most public ranges will not allow any classes to use thier range. Private clubs will not either unless you get on the list. Quite a few require applying, then you present your case at the board meeting, then they may select you. Some require money, some don't. That's why from what I can see most set up private ranges in the back of people's yards or own a few acres of land and build a small range themselves. Much easier to handle that way (till they go to sell their property.)
• Realistically, is this something I can make money at, or is it tough to get enough interest to build up student traffic? 2 years and around 100 students here, and haven't made a dime. I will say though, I've bought some cool training tools and other items for myself. I have a few class only guns (lawsuits reasons that I can explain later if needed), a very nice video projector, many blue guns, super medical kit in my car, basic medical training, etc. Basically, I now have a ton of items that I can use outside my business and skills that may be able to save a life some day off the range. All sorts of training I never would have taken had I not become an instructor. I did not go into it at all to make money. I was hoping to be closer to breaking even. I would say if I haven't bought so many teaching aides I may have made a profit by now. I turn my profit into additional tools to make future classes better.
• Would I be better off easing into it by trying to assist some other instructor at first instead of organizing my own classes? That is one thing I did not do that I believe I should have. My first class sucked IMO, yet everyone loved it. I was stumbling over info and felt like I was reading word for word my powerpoints and manuals. Future classes were greatly improved.
  
  I hope that helps some and if you have any other questions just ask. I love teaching. This year I haven't taught much because my work schedule sucks and my co-instructor travels alot with his new job. Therefore we teach as needed for groups only. It is fun knowing that you are educating people on their 2A rights and teaching people how to use a firearm safely. You will also see a bit why the 2A shoudl read "shall not be infringed with proper training." Let's just say, I now own a table with a bullet hole in the center of it. KEEP THE FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER......Especially when letting the slide go forward.
• There are several courses I'd be interested in becoming qualified in (listed below). Do I have to first complete the course as a student before turning around and taking it again as instructor training? You do not have to. The NRA doesn't require it for any classes. Will it help, possibly. I think if you do your previous question of working with other instructors first to get some pointers and tips off them then you wouldn't need to. If you go at it solo, it might help you out some.
• Since I live in a state where I would also need to get Texas-certified to teach the Texas CHL course, is there really much market demand for the other courses I listed? IMO....not really. However, their are parts of the other courses that may be useful to add onto your current course. I teach some aspects of PPITH and PPOTH in my basic CHL class. It may also help you if you decide to teach an advanced course and create one yourself.

[HKJ]

Not sure how far you are from Hempstead Tx. The Impact Zone will rent bays for use for just about any class.

I am a capitalist pig and did it for the money. I started out working with Mike McKenney at Phoenix Firearms. He was generous enough to let me learn from him. I do not make enough to make it a full time job, but it is a nice side income. Something weird happened along the way. I met a bunch of neat people and have been able to help a lot of people directly through training or indirectly through connecting them to people.

[Tweed Ring]

I didn't become an instructor to earn money. I entered this field of instruction so I could accommodate a number of friends and colleagues who wanted to obtain their license but did not have access to instruction. I team-teach and I believe that's the best method. I don't make a profit from training; I do it to give something back to my friends and my community.

The now defunct ASLET organization had as a motto: He who teaches, learns.

Good luck on this project.

[mreising]

Bob: all of the guys above have made good points. My partners and I have been doing this for several years, with the last four being run as a business with a regular classroom and private range (very difficult and expensive to obtain). We carry commercial insurance along with the NRA Pro Intructor Insurance, got zoning permits for our sign, file tax returns, etc. You definately won't get rich and quite possible not make a dime. It is fun, and I believe we do a professional job, with good presentation skills and a professional attitude; I wouldn't want to do it any other way. Unfortunately, we are not making money with this model especially when trying to compete with the uninsured guy teaching in his basement and shooting into a tree in the back yard for $75 (this is really a local instructor). As Tweed Ring mentioned, team teaching is the way to go and it is the preferred method according to NRA.

Do it because you want to, not because youy expect to make a lot of money. Also consider getting certified for rifle and shotgun to assist scout troops as mentioned above, this is how we keep the sport alive.

[JediSkipdogg]

Unfortunately, we are not making money with this model especially when trying to compete with the uninsured guy teaching in his basement and shooting into a tree in the back yard for $75 (this is really a local instructor).

Try my competition in Hamilton County. Taught by police officers for $50 and police spouses are free. I've lost about 50 customers due to that. Sends his flyer out monthly to all the police departments and then it spreads by word of mouth.

[mreising]

Unfortunately, we are not making money with this model especially when trying to compete with the uninsured guy teaching in his basement and shooting into a tree in the back yard for $75 (this is really a local instructor).

Try my competition in Hamilton County. Taught by police officers for $50 and police spouses are free. I've lost about 50 customers due to that. Sends his flyer out monthly to all the police departments and then it spreads by word of mouth.

I have always wondered if those officers that use department ranges actually compensate the cities for the use of the range and what liability they expose the city to.

[mreising]

I should add that if someone wants to give the course away, or even pay students to come, that is their option. My concern is with the quality of instruction that students receive from some of these instructors, specially in light of some of the questions and reports we get on the forums. I have recently been getting emails from NRA Training concerning Ohio Concealed Carry instructors and reminding us of the NRA rules about use of the terms NRA Course, NRA Instructor etc. I just got an email today that reiterated that NRA Instructors cannot teach any online course by virtue of their NRA credentials, even if the put the disclaimer "This is not an NRA course" on the course materials and certificates. I hope they are looking closer at some of what is going on in the ranks.