NRA Instructor’s Course Part 2

Part 2 – Tonight’s class includes the 1st Round of Qualification for the basic instructor’s course includes shooting a pistol outside on the firing range. Each student is required to qualify as a NRA instructor by shooting 20 rounds in a 6×6 square on an 8” round target at 45 yards away. Yes, I qualified on my first try, as I hit 16 out of 20, so obviously there is always room for improvement.

We covered more information on how to be a good NRA instructor to students. A key take away: One must always ask to touch a student and state where to see if it is okay, in order to correct a student’s firearm technique by offering assistance, except in extreme case of emergency. I learnt that a firearm’s classroom has a safety zone for the purposes of demonstrating proper technical skill while using any firearm. Most importantly, any time anyone picks up a firearm they must inspect the chamber of the gun to ensure it’s clear and that the magazine is out of the pistol. Again, always point the firearm down range away from everyone for safety purposes.

We did several exercises with role playing, as instructor vs. student to learn both sides of the lesson’s material and we critique each other along the way. We also took our first instructor’s exam and yes, I passed it, too! So there is 8 more hours of training to complete in order to become a NRA basic pistol instructor.

Firearm Safety and Security

Today, I am prepping this week for my NRA Basic Instructor’s course by reviewing what the basic safety and security rules for firearms. The top 5 basic rules for any gun owner are the following:

1. Always treat any firearm as if it were loaded, so don’t rely on the firearm’s safety lock to be on.
2. Always point the muzzle/barrel of the firearm pointed in a safe direction away from you.
3. Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
4. Always check and clear the barrel before handling or shooting any firearm. If a firearm miss fires handle it with extreme care and if need be ask for help.
5. Always know your target and what’s beyond it.

The Firearm Industry Trade Association video

Other important firearm safety & security tips that every firearms owner should also know are:

1. Always use the correct type of ammunition,
2. Always clean and maintain your firearm after each use.
3. Always wear eye and ear protection gear when shooting.
4. Always learn the mechanics of a firearm, as not all guns are the same. Know how to properly do loading, unloading, carrying, and handling of each firearm you own.
5. Always keep your firearms unloaded when not in use. Be sure to properly lock up both your firearms and any ammunition separately from each other, especially if there are children in your home!

As a future NRA basic pistol instructor, these are key points to memorize and share with future students. Owning a firearm isn’t just about shooting it. There are different state, county, and town rules and regulations to follow. Every firearm owner needs to adhere to these guidelines for their own safety, as well as, for the security of others around them. Now, let’s go practice shooting on the range!

The 2nd Amendment

As an American citizen, each of us has the Constitutional right to bear arms as per the 2nd Amendment, but we also need to be responsible when using firearms. The news is continuing to report more shootings than ever before. The other stigma is that everyone who owns a gun is bad, which is definitely not true. I do agree on the strict background checks and digital fingerprinting to obtain a permit to own firearms. However, I also would add that all firearm owners be made to take at least a NRA basic shooting instructions course. One needs know how to protect oneself, their family, and their property.

Do guns solve problems, in the criminal sense, No! But in war, one might say the one with the most soldiers and weapon artillery would win battle. In the case of defending one’s freedom, the one with the best aim wins. In my opinion, one should always try to deescalate a problem with words first. I am not saying to be a victim if being attacked. If need be call the police and let them handle the situation, as they had way more training practice than you most likely. You don’t want to learn the hard way by making a mistake, so never pick up a firearm when angry.

Our founding fathers designed the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution so we can defend and protect ourselves from unlawful violence, so we must also honor and respect the firearms laws accordingly. Please consider Supporting the NRA, do not let your freedom rights be taken away. Take NRA courses so you can learn and gain insight on how and when to correctly use a firearm safely. Feel free to share your thoughts.

Old Glory

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

This Memorial weekend, I give honor to my beloved father who actively served in the United States Army. I do this by placing his American flag outside our house. He was very patriotic and he also loved ministering to local veterans at the local veteran hospital.

It is my hope that you will display “Old Glory”, our American flag this Memorial weekend. It is our patriotic duty to give honor and respect to those who have served and those still bravely sacrificing their lives daily.

I pray for protection to be upon our military troops who are serving our great nation here at. home and overseas. May the good Lord shield our soldiers and their families from harms way. Because freedom is free, it comes at the expense of others. Take time to “Thank” a soldier or a veteran this Memorial Day Weekend!

Media 101 Week 14

The week media class is reviewing chapter 14 as to how mass communication is affected by politics. Students had a chance to discuss how negative aspects play into forming our political views. I shared the importance of the how the Constitution provides help with bipartisan disagreements. The history behind this concept is fully explain by Noah Feldman in his 2017 Ted Talk video where he shares how Hamilton vs. Madison created the original political division.

The class quickly realized all the negativity in the mass media brings about the rise of the political division. It causes the need for surveillance and more transparency from our government. Mass media can often use surveys or push polls to gain public view on an important issue. The Marist Poll is one great example of a political tool that is used often to gain public opinion.

We need to continue to educate others to respect each other’s political, religious, and cultural differences. It’s okay to protest to promote a cause, but it must be done peacefully. Social Media will continue to cause disparity and disputes, but we must try to live harmonious if our society is to survive.

We will also be covering Chapter 15 which discusses global impact on mass media. Students are continuing to present their research media projects to the class and critique each other.