November 15, 2017 | 0 Comments

NRA Carry Guard Training vs. “Standard” Training

“The National Rifle Association has a new training program associated with their Carry Guard insurance product. The NRA touts their instructors as former Navy SEALS or other high-speed, low-drag type operators. Of course, the NRA promises “The best carry firearms training on the planet. Period.” Not that the NRA has ever been accused of excessive hype, but has the gun rights org created the best firearms training on the planet? Time will tell.

I’ve been a firearms instructor for twenty years. My fellow instructors and I teach everyday Americans how to safely and effectively use firearms for self-defense. Over the years, we’ve taught defensive shooting skills to thousands of adults in the civilian world.

My own learning has never stopped. In my time, I’ve been to a couple of dozen classes from nationally known instructors, recognized by many as the best of the best. Ayoob, Rogers, Farnam and Tarani just to name a few.

The NRA’s Carry Guard classes may indeed be the best firearms training on the planet. I have my doubts, though. The NRA’s (or their PR firm’s) decision to promote their program as the product of cops and vets is worrying.

Generally, I have nothing but respect for people in law enforcement and military. But what difference does it make whether an instructor learned their skills on the mean streets of Oakland or were “taught downrange” in Iraq or Afghanistan?

Far more important: can the instructor communicate the fundamentals effectively to everyday people, empowering them with the skills they need to avoid becoming a statistic.

Civilian self defense classes aren’t about teaching students how to kick in doors to hunt the Crips or the Taliban. We teach civilians the strategies and skills, including firearms proficiency, to avoid victimization in their daily lives. These skills and tactics will give them every advantage if the worst happens and they have to use their gun to protect innocent life.

While SEALs and SWAT cops might be great at killing people and apprehending criminals respectively, that’s not what civilians need to learn. We don’t go forth each day, sans body armor, radios and the best long-guns and gear available to go after bad guys and gals. Instead, we live our lives looking to avoid trouble.