The NRA offers a range of firearms courses divided into two levels: Basic Courses and Instructor Courses. Basic courses teach the fundamental skills of using a particular firearm, reloading, personal protection or firearm safety. Instructor courses prepare students for certification to teach the same topics. At the Basic level, courses focused on gun safety include the NRA Home Firearm Safety Course and the NRA Range Safety Officer Course. At the Instructor level, the Chief Range Safety Officer and Home Firearm Safety Instructor courses also focus on gun safety. However, gun safety issues are also covered in the other courses.
The Home Firearm Safety Course is a four-hour classroom-based course concentrating on the rules of safely handling, cleaning, loading and storing firearms in the home and avoiding the most frequent causes of accidents. Students are also taught about the benefits of becoming a competitive shooter. At the end of the class, students will receive educational brochures and a completion certificate.
The Basic NRA Range Safety Officer Course is a nine-hour class combining classroom instruction with experience at an actual shooting range. Participants learn the safety procedures and rules of safe shooting at a range, how to deal with emergency situations, how to inspect a range for safety, and how to handle malfunctions. A Chief Range Safety Officer course is also offered.
The Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program is a gun safety course for children from kindergarten to third grade. This program does not require NRA membership or certification. The course teaches children not to touch a gun if they happen to find one, to leave the room and to tell an adult about the gun.