A woman-only Focus Group is underway at NRA Headquarters this weekend. Eleven of the top female NRA Certified Instructors traveled from all over the country to participate.

Education & Training Division Director Bill Poole says once they know more about this trend, his staff will be hard at work to reverse it. “We've noticed women, and youths of either gender, are more receptive to female NRA Certified Instructors,” Poole said, noting that both female instructors and students have been increasing "gradually" over the years.

“We're interested to hear from women about how we can further encourage women’s participation in both the shooting sports and the Certified Instructor Program," Poole said. 

"Hearing from women" is exactly what's happening this weekend. Among other things, E&T is seeking the female perspective on how to increase women’s participation in the Certified Instructor program.

Upon conclusion of the session, E&T staff will meet to discuss the results. One idea they are already considering is the creation of a business model specifically geared towards women. The business model will provide women with a targeted plan to incorporate the Certified Instructor program into their already busy lives.

Stay tuned to NRAblog.com for more on this topic.

Ann Marie Foster was thrilled to share the following news with NRAblog: "This young lady, Sydney Duncan, recently obtained Distinguished Expert.   "She's a hunter, too!" Foster said.

“This has been a great program and I have really enjoyed the challenge," Duncan told Foster. Above, Duncan has carefully collected and preserved each of her badges.

"I started shooting at 8 years old and hunting with my Dad. From the very beginning I loved it dearly," Duncan continued. "Now at 15, I am a avid hunter and a accomplished competition skeet shooter. I think everyone should try shooting sports and this program provides structure and goals to keep you on track."

"It has taught me patience and self-discipline like nothing else I have ever done," Duncan said. "I plan to support the NRA and continue shooting for the rest of my life. Look for my Distinguished Expert application in rifle and handgun very soon."

We'll keep you updated on this talented young lady! Learn more about the Winchester/NRA Qualification program here.

John Howard, NRA National Instructor Trainer, brings us the following:

Based on observation, discussions and Training Counselor Workshop evaluations, it has been determined that TCWS staff should be limited to three, in certain cases a maximum of four, members.

The individual sponsoring or organizing and administering the workshop must be coached on ensuring that assignments and planning takes place in a timely manner. We must also ensure that staff does not get in a rush and give short shift to the process. Sponsors must review the course schedule at least two weeks prior to the TC Workshop and obtain approval of the assignments from the TC Program Coordinator.

Although we want to continue our philosophy of decentralization of workshops, we will provide a Training Department staff member or selected Senior or Master Training Counselor to oversee and participate in the conduct of the workshop. Only select workshops will include an STC or MTC candidate. The Training Counselor Program Coordinator will recruit and propose qualified Senior and Master Training Counselor candidates for approval by the NRA National Instructor Trainer and Manager, NRA Training Department based on the needs of the program. We have learned that large staffs (some larger than the number of participants) are not conducive to a quality program, create confusion, and even public differences of opinion. A small quality workshop staff removes the confusion and enables the candidates to transition from instructor to Training Counselor seamlessly.

There are segments of the population or customer base that need Training Counselors, STCs and MTCs more than others. Those determinations will be made on a case-by-case basis. We do not want to mislead anyone into believing that it is “their due” to become an STC or MTC.

Steve Hoback submitted the following:

On February 6, 2010, the NFL Alumni hosted the 11th Annual NFL Alumni Sporting Clays Team Challenge presented by NRA Sports. The event, held annually in conjunction with Super Bowl Weekend in the host city, took place at Markham Park’s sporting clays facility in Sunrise, FL. It included many NFL alumni as well as a few current NFL players. In total there were 120 shooters making 24 sponsor squads with each team captained by an NFL celebrity. The NFL Alumni Sporting Clays Team Challenge serves as a major funding vehicle for the youth-oriented programs of the NFL Alumni, Inc., a non-profit charitable organization with a motto and mission of Caring for Kids.

Extreme sport shooter Patrick Flanigan kicked off the festivities with a great show of marksmanship and showmanship. Patrick’s show rocked the landscape with bangs and booms and stunned the crowd with his display of accuracy and skill. The exhibition reached its peak with members of the local youth trap league hurling eggs as far as they could while Patrick blew them out of the sky!

Team NRA SPORTS-2, who removed themselves for prize consideration, won the event by seven shots posting a score of 191 out of 250. The team was made up of two former players, Jack Youngblood, a Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinee and Dave Butz, a member of the Washington Redskins Super Bowl Championship team; Taurus International President & CEO Bob Morrison, Skeet Champion Todd Bender; and Doug Koenig, one of the top action pistol shooters in the world.

Presenting sponsor NRA Sports helped the NFL Alumni advance its mission of Caring for Kids by underwriting costs. Other valued sponsors were American Airlines, Cabela’s, Great HealthWorks, Otis Technology, R&R Pheasant Hunting, White Flyer Targets, Winchester Ammunition, Tiffany & Co. and many more.

The results of the 250-target team competition and the 50-target individual competition were as follows:

First – TEAM LEUPOLD – (184 out of 250)
Larry Ball – NFL Alumni (35 out of 50)
Manny Fernandez – NFL Alumni (30 out of 50)
Avery Ball (36 out of 50)
James Harrod (46 out of 50)
Guy Roper (37 out of 50) More...

While in Washington DC attending a conference, NRAblog had the pleasure of meeting a young man by the name of Joshua Wander. Like all of our NRA Certified Instructors, Wander has a great story.

Born in Mckeesport, PA, Wander has called Pennsylvania home for more than twenty years. He received his bachelor's degree in Talmudic law with honors from a prestigious rabbinical college in Jerusalem and spent several years as a political correspondent for The Jerusalem Post. Wander served as a commander in the IDF and officer in the United States Air Force aux. before graduating from the University of Pittsburgh with a master's degree in public and international affairs with concentrations in global studies and the Middle East.

He was kind enough to grant us an interview:

NRAblog: What got you interested in shooting?

Wander: I started shooting bb guns when I was very young. Since I am a dual citizen of the US and Israel I was drafted into the army. (At age 18 there is a mandatory draft for all Israeli citizens male and female). It was in the IDF that I really trained and became interested in shooting. Later in life, my political career has expanded my horizons to a lot of the theory behind the practical knowledge.

NRAblog: When and where did you become NRA Certified Instructor? In which disciplines?

Wander: I have taught firearm training for years, but I became an NRA Certified Instructor this year. I have begun with pistol, but hope to soon complete rifle, shotgun and self defense. I am also an NRA life member and recruiter.

NRAblog: How would you describe the courses you offer? Do you cater to a certain audience?

Wander: My courses are catered to the Jewish community (although all are welcome) and are advertised within the communities. Unfortunately, many liberal Jews are gun control advocates and don't understand the necessity to train, own and carry a firearm, ESPECIALLY within our community.

I likewise have a website that caters to preparing the Jewish Community. Among other topics, it deals with firearm knowledge and training.

Wander provided us with the accompanying photos. At right, he is pictured serving in Lebanon in 1992.

It was our pleasure to cross your path, Mr. Wander! Keep in touch.

The NRA has a number of instructors dedicated to the promotion of shooting sports. None is more committed than California's own Patricia McLelland-Merydith. This June, she'll be hosting her sixth Women on Target® Instructional Shooting Clinics (WOT) event at the Coon Creek Trap & Skeet Club in Lincoln, California.

"Patricia has been a clinic director since 2006, and has taught hundreds of women to shoot," said Women On Target's Program Coordinator Beth Hellmann. "Her specialty is shotgun, but she is an award-winning trap and skeet shooter, too."

WOT events are a great way to learn about firearms and to gain confidence in the shooting sports. No matter what the discipline, you'll be surrounded by other first time shooters and instructors with the patience and experience to guide you through the process. In addition to shooting, you'll also learn about proper storage, firearm safety, and more.

Patricia's clinics also come with an additional bonus. Not only will she provide the finer points of shotgun shooting, but she also prepares the meals herself. Past menu items include homemade pies, stew, and quiche.

To take part in Patricia's clinic, contact her at 530.367.3336 or wot.patricia@yahoo.com. If Lincoln, California isn't exactly your backyard, click here to find a Shooting Clinic near you. And remember -- women only at these events. No boys allowed.

This particular NRA Certified Instructor enlisted in the U.S. Army as a teenager, giving him 67 years' worth of experience. Just because he has reached senior citizen status doesn't mean he has stopped instructing, and this club says they're glad they have him:

West Boca Raton club teaches firearms safety

Mel Panitz, 84, has been involved with guns since he enlisted in the U.S. Army at age 17 and fought in a Ranger platoon in World War II.

Today, he is treasurer of the Whisper Walk community's gun club in West Boca Raton and is a National Rifle Association-certified instructor. He recently conducted a pistol shooting instruction course at the VFW building at Veterans Park in Boca Raton.

"Six hours of intense coaching, including a final period of shooting the gun at a range, are required for those wanting to obtain a state permit," Panitz said.

Panitz showed a 10-minute video by the NRA about the safe and responsible use of firearms. He then went through the NRA training manual, "The Basics of Pistol Shooting," which includes chapters on pistol parts and operation, ammunition, using a pistol safely, operating a pistol and shooting basics.

"The three fundamental gun safety rules are: one, always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction; two, always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot; and three, always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use," he said.

"This session was very informative," said Ilona Posner, a Delray Beach resident. "… We will have a similar period of instruction tomorrow in learning how to use a gun. I'm interested in target shooting, as well as self-defense. This is something I've wanted to do for a long time."

Continue reading the story here.

Camp Perry will once again host the NRA National Junior Pistol Camp July 12 - 16, 2010. Thanks to the generous contribution from the Ohio Gun Collectors, NRA will once again offer first time participants a scholarship of up to $500. Scholarship funds can be used to cover the $175.00 camp tuition and/or travel costs. This year the camp will be open to Beginning and Intermediate pistol shooters. Camp Participants will be evaluated on the first day of camp and placed with a Coach.

Campers will utilize both .22 caliber pistols and air pistols in their training. The Civilian Marksmanship Unit's new Air Gun Shooting Center will be used, allowing campers to shoot on electronic targets. Most of the training will take place on the covered Petraca range across from Hough Theater. For more information, call 877-NRA-Match, or email compadmin@nrahq.org.

Speedy Gonzalez wears a lot of hats. He stays busy during the school year as a Gunsmithing Instructor at Trinidad State Junior College.

In the summer, he serves as coordinator for the NRA's Gunsmithing courses. He's a top-notch gunsmith with more than 25 years of experience, but he doesn't just fix guns. Gonzalez, pictured at right with some of his awards, is a member of the U.S. Benchrest Hall of Fame and the only National Bench Rest Shooters Association member to win national championships in both Varmint and Hunter Class competitions.

He took a moment  to send NRAblog some details on his school's gunsmithing program, which we initially reported after meeting TSJC Professors Nolan and Gipson at SHOT Show. The program is supported by Brownells, longtime friend to NRA. Read NRAblog's article  here.

"The grand opening (of the new program) is less than a month away," Gonzalez told NRAblog. "We're pleased to have the President of the NRA attending, along with Mr. Brownell and the governor of Colorado."

But this special third year isn't available to just anyone -- "This program is open to the top 25 percent of graduates from all gunsmithing schools in the nation." Read on for more information, and stay tuned to NRAblog!

Third Year Gunsmithing Program Opens Doors

Throughout the ensuing 62 years, TSJC has built a world-wide reputation for the excellence of its program. Companies involved in the firearms industry have supported the program with many generous donations and have been quick to hire TSJC’s accomplished gunsmithing graduates.

“Once again,” said Lopez, “Trinidad State is taking the lead in developing a program to meet the needs of industry when ‘Brownells Trinidad American Firearms Technology Institute’ opens its doors at Broom and Nevada Streets in TSJC’s Banta building on January 18th.”

“The goal of the third- year gunsmithing program is to prepare its graduates to be ready for employment directly out of school,” said Lopez. “The world of work requires students to be more prepared than ever before. In a global marketplace it is our moral imperative to prepare our students for the workplace.” More...

NRA is proud to host the 3rd annual Women's Wilderness Escape scheduled for September 23 – October 1, 2010 at the NRA Whittington Center in Raton, New Mexico.

The cost of this nine-day retreat is $1,250 and is open to women 18 and older. Fee includes housing, food and all event activities. Transportation is not provided.

No experience is necessary, and all firearms and ammunition are provided. Participants will learn to shoot rifle silhouette, long range high power rifle, black powder rifle, pistol, trap, skeet, sporting clays and archery. Other activities include map reading, camping, survival training, game calling, hunter education and Native American history.

Find out more about the Women's Wilderness Escape and read what some of our 2009 participants had to say about the event.

For a taste of what this 9-day program entails, check out NRAblog's coverage of the past two years' Escapes.

The National Rifle Association's Training Department is pleased to announce a special offer from FNH USA, continuing the company's longstanding support of NRA's programs. Through this new offer, NRA Certified Instructors and Appointed Training Counselors will be able to purchase select FNH USA pistols at a reduced cost, with ten percent of each sale benefiting the NRA Education and Training Endowment.

"We're thrilled to be partnering with FNH USA on this fantastic deal for our trainers," said Bill Poole, Director of NRA's Education and Training Division. "Not only can Instructors purchase quality firearms at discounted prices, but the generosity of FNH USA will allow us to expand and develop our firearms training programs."

The 9mm FNP-9 and the .40 caliber FNP-40, two of FNH's most popular handguns, are available to NRA Certified Instructors and Appointed Training Counselors for the discounted price of only $494.00, two hundred dollars less than the retail price. Instructors can purchase these pistols to use during their training courses, both as training aides and for live fire exercises.

More...

Sylvia Schneider of the NRA's Headquarters Range called NRAblog with an important -- and rare -- announcement:

"We're closing early today," she said.

Due to threats of inclement weather, the Range will shut its doors at 3 p.m. today, Friday, Feb. 5, and remain closed tomorrow.

"We're scheduled to open at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, just like any other day," Schneider said, "but range patrons are encouraged to call 703-267-1402 to confirm."

The Range's voicemail will be updated accordingly. 

Tom Hindman has been a Youth Hunter Education Clinic instructor for 12 years. On Saturday, at the NRA's first Great American Hunting & Outdoor Show, he was awarded with the Hunter Instructor Award -- the first of its kind awarded by the NRA.  

"As I told (NRA Director of Education + Training) Bill Poole, it's a manifestation of the opportunity of working beside some fabulous people who bring out the best in virtually everyone," Hindman said. "I work with some stellar performers who are team players." Hindman is between NRA Board Member Dave Butz, left, and Poole.

Hindman and his wife drove to the Maryland-based show from Johnstown, Pennsylvania.  He said he couldn't have dedicated the time and effort to the hunting community without the support of his family and friends. 

Many thanks to the NRA's Refuse To Be A Victim® National Coordinator Ruthann Sprague for sharing her latest article with us:

NRA Refuse To Be A Victim® headquarters staff is receiving a record number of inquiries from the public for seminars to be presented in their communities. Refuse To Be A Victim® instructors, here are some ideas on how to meet this need and how to make your seminars more successful. As you plan your events for 2010 consider these items:

IDENTIFY YOUR AUDIENCE

Is this seminar for the general public? Is it for a community or civic organization? Is it for a group of high school students? Determine who the seminar is for and the intended audience. This will help you define the overall seminar you present and the specific topics you should stress.

PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SEMINARS

You may provide a public or private seminar. A public seminar is simply open to everyone. A private seminar is for a specific audience and is closed to people outside that group. Examples would be: a seminar provided for the employees of a specific company, students at the local university, the Central High PTA. If your seminar is private, NRA will not promote it on the Refuse To Be A Victim® website or in NRA publications. More...

Bill Campbell, Adjust Instructor for NRA's Law Enforcement Activities Division, recently wrote an article for PoliceOne.com on muzzle safety. Take a look:

Remember the Safety Circle when muzzling your gun

For the past 12 years, the NRA's Law Enforcement Activities Division has taught the concept of the Safety Circle in Firearms Instructor Development courses offered nationwide. Throughout the past decade, I’ve seen the concept renamed and re-taught at many training conferences and courses, but occasionally I still find that officers and agencies are unfamiliar with it.

What is the Safety Circle?

The Safety Circle was first introduced by my friend and mentor Clive Shepherd as he developed some of the NRA LEAD's training courses. Clive’s intent in teaching the concept was for officers to have a place to point the muzzle when a downrange direction did not necessarily exist, or when working in and around other people who did not need to be shot or muzzled.

On the range, we usually think that the targets or the berm are safe places to point the muzzle. Clive recognized that on the street, downrange may not be so easy to recognize and innocent citizens and other officers may well occupy that space. The Safety Circle reflects the idea that there may not be a recognizable “safe place” to point the muzzle. Therefore, Clive taught the concept of finding the safest place to point the muzzle when the firearm is drawn.

Click here to read the rest of Bill's article.