NRA First Steps Shotgun

Course Description: This course is intended for people with little or no shotgun shooting experience. It is an introduction to the basics of shotgun shooting, including the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to shoot a shotgun safely and accurately. The NRA First Steps Shotgun curriculum defines a three hour course, and depending on class size and student interest we add additional material or conduct additional shooting drills. This course is intended for people primarily interested in shotgun shooting at flying targets (birds, clay targets, etc.). Defensive Shotgun I is recommended for those interested in a basic course on the home defense shotgun.

Topics: basic safety, gun parts and operation, and fundamentals of marksmanship.

Length: three-five hours

For prices and upcoming course dates, check the schedule page.

Prerequisites: none

Required Equipment: a shotgun and 50 rounds of ammunition, eye and ear protection. For an additional $15 per student, we provide loaner guns, ammunition, eye and ear protection. Students using loaner guns typically have the opportunity to try several different makes/models/gauges as part of the course. Students should also bring a baseball cap (to deflect spent hulls), pen and paper.

Optional Equipment: additional handguns and ammunition

Taught by: Staff NRA certified instructor

Facility: A-Zone Range

Times: varies. Typically offered morning or afternoon.

Additional information: Staff instructors are also available to teach this course privately to adults and juniors. Juniors must have a responsible parent or guardian present at all times during the course, and parents/guardians who have not had previous formal firearms training (military, police, NRA, etc.) are required to take the course along with their junior(s). We can teach this course at almost any public or private range in a single block or in segments. Costs, times and locations for private instruction will vary based on location, schedule, number of students and instructor availability.