This is where we answer the most common questions prospective students might have. If you have a question about the courses we teach or about us that we haven’t covered, feel free to contact us!
- What are the base requirements to take a course?
- What courses are currently offered?
- How long are the courses?
- How much are courses?
- Do I need to bring a firearm to class?
- Do I need to bring ammunition?
- Will I need to bring my own targets?
- What are the rules for bringing my own firearm?
- What are the guidelines for ammunition?
- What are some things I can I do after completing a “Basics” course?
- What are your certifications for instruction on these courses?
- How do I reach you if I have any questions or concerns prior to taking a course?
What are the base requirements to take a course?
Per NRA guidelines, all students must be a legal United States Citizen, must be 18 years of age (17 years and younger must be enrolled along with a parent or legal guardian,) and must be able to legally own a firearm. Anyone wishing to take a course must be willing to learn and participate as firearm safety is not a passive exercise. Firearm safety is our first priority and these courses are designed to instill a safety first approach to all interactions with a firearm. Students are not required to be NRA members to enroll in or complete courses.
What courses are currently offered?
Currently we offer Basics of Pistol Shooting, Basic Shotgun Shooting, and Basic Rifle Shooting. See the Courses of Study page from more detailed information on the course(s) you have interest in. Due to popular request, our instructors are preparing certification to teach the NRA Refuse to be a Victim course. It will be made available once all instructor requirements have been fulfilled.
How long are the courses?
Courses vary depending on the material but will typically run for 3-4 hours per day over the course of 2-3 days. A shooting exam may take place on a separate day or after the final classroom session. Some courses can be completed in a single day if convenient for students and instructors. However, it is often impractical to include the shooting portion on the same day due to a minimum 8 or 10 hour requirement. See the Courses of Study page from more detailed information on the course(s) you are interested in.
How much do courses cost?
Pricing varies by course type, class size, and availability. Course type determines the cost based on course materials (books, miscellaneous supplies, NRA set course registration fees, etc.,) ammunition types and amounts provided, and range availability. Class size determines cost by lowering the cost per student as attendance size increases. If you are looking to book a group (i.e. church group, scout troop, large family 5+) please contact us to schedule a course closed to the public and dedicated to your group.
Do I need to bring a firearm to class?
No, all firearms needed will be provided during the course. If on the final day of class during the shooting exam portion you wish to shoot using a firearm you own, you may bring it. All firearms must be properly stored and preferably flagged upon arrival. All firearms will be subject to an inspection for functionality, safety, and cleanliness prior to a decision on whether or not they are allowed to be used during the exam. Read the “What are the rules for bringing my own firearm?” section below for more details on permitted firearms. You will need to provide your own commercially loaded ammunition (no reloads or custom rounds are permitted) if bringing your own firearm. No live ammunition is permitted in the classroom.
Do I need to bring ammunition?
All ammunition for the supplied firearms used during the course will be provided. You only need your own ammunition if you are bringing your own firearm for the final shooting exam. See the “What are the guidelines for ammunition?” section below for more detailed information on what is allowed. There is no live ammunition permitted in the classroom and no reloads or custom rounds are allowed.
Will I need to bring my own targets?
All targets necessary for the course will be provided based on course type and requirements. If the range permits extra time to shoot after the exam completion, range specific rules will apply to targets allowed. General guidelines for most ranges we use are as follows: Bleeding, liquid filled, or exploding targets are not permitted. Corrugated cardboard backing is allowed, corrugated plastic and paper plate backers are not allowed. Human likeness’s including photos, zombies, or police style “bad guy with a gun” targets are not permitted. One exception is a standard silhouette target.
What are the rules for bringing my own firearm?
Firearms must be legally owned, safe to operate, within the scope of the course (i.e. no rifles to a shotgun course, pistols to a rifle course, etc.), and may only be brought to the final exam with prior approval. Suppressed and Class III firearms are not permitted. Bringing firearms to classroom sessions is prohibited and no live ammunition is allowed in the classroom at any time. Firearms must be brought to the exam in a case, unloaded, with the action open preferably with a barrel flag. Due to the variance of ammunition types, and the possibility your needed typed is not provided, you must bring your own ammunition for your firearm. Any ammunition brought to the exam must be stored separately from the firearm. It must be the appropriate gauge/caliber and must be a civilian legal munition. It must not be brought into the classroom at any point. See the “What are the guidelines for ammunition?” section below for more detailed information. All firearms and ammunition must be inspected by instructors present prior to use on the range and will either be approved or denied for use based on the condition at the time of the inspection. The instructors will provide safe appropriate firearms necessary to complete the course. It is highly recommended that you utilize only those firearms during the duration of the course.
What are the guidelines for ammunition?
No live ammunition is ever permitted in the classroom. No reloads or custom rounds are permitted. Live ammunition may only be brought to the shooting exams. Any ammunition brought to the exam must be stored separately from the firearm. It must be the appropriate gauge/caliber and must be a civilian legal munition. No armor piercing, tracer, steel tipped, steel core, black powder or incendiary rounds will be permitted. All rifle ammunition will be checked with a magnet to identify and disqualify steel core and steel jacketed rounds. Hollow points, lead only, and copper jacketed rounds are permitted. Shotgun shells permitted will vary by range as to whether lead or steel pellets are used. Please check with your instructor prior to exam day for range specifics on permitted shot types.
What are some things I can I do after completing a “Basics” course?
The first thing you can do is feel pride and confidence in the fact that you now understand the fundamentals of firearm safety. You can then take everything you learned about the firearm type your course covered and put it into practice. Start by preparing your home to store your firearm, acquire an appropriate safe. Decide on an appropriate location to store your gun safe and ammunition, and discuss the 3 “Always” rules and other tenants of firearm safety with friends and family who will be around your firearm. If you don’t already own a firearm, use the knowledge from hands on time during class and your course materials and instruction to find and purchase one that meets your needs. Be sure to take your gun to the range as often as your schedule and budget allow. Check out the NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program that we discussed during the course and see how high you can get your rank up to. Join a competitive shooting club or enter in an individual competition. The NRA has a great list of resources here. You can take another one of our courses to increase your knowledge and discipline on another firearm type. Have you done all this and still want more? Consider asking us for guidance on how to become an NRA-certified instructor yourself and help teach a new generation of shooters firearm safety!
The NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting course is not designed for nor intended to teach you the legal and situational information required to qualify you for any handgun carry permit. However, the State of Tennessee does recognize successful completion of the NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting course as meeting the gun safety education requirement for the Concealed Carry Permit. If you are a 21+ year old Tennessee resident who completes to certification the NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting course you are eligible, beginning on January 1, 2020, to apply for a Concealed Carry Permit as amended by Tennessee’s passing of HB 1264. Courses taken prior to January 1, 2020 and within 1 year of applying for a permit are still valid for this purpose. This course does not meet requirements for the new Enhanced Carry Permit defined by HB 1264.
What are your certifications for instruction on these courses?
All instructors are NRA Certified Instructors with years of firearm safety, shooting, and instruction experience. All instructors for your course will be able to provide you with their individual credentials for certification prior to, and during a course. All range operations are overseen by at minimum one NRA Certified RSO (Range Safety Officer.)
How do I reach you if I have any questions or concerns prior to taking a course?
The easiest method would be to contact us via the Contact Us page. Alternatively you can send an email to info@poguefirearmtraining.com.
You may also reach out directly to an instructor. All our contact information is on our business cards.