NRA Personal Protection Outside the Home Course

A comprehensive and intensive in its approach to equip the defensive shooting candidate with the skills needed to survive serious adversity.  The course teaches students the knowledge, skills and attitude essential for avoiding dangerous confrontations and for the safe, effective and responsible use of a concealed pistol for self-defense outside the home. Students have the opportunity to attend this course using a quality strong side hip holster that covers the trigger, or a holster purse. From a review of safe firearms handling and proper mindset to presentation from concealment and multiple shooting positions, this course contains the essential skills and techniques needed to prevail in a life-threatening situation. 

The NRA Personal Protection Outside the Home is divided into two levels (basic and advanced). Level one is a nine-hour course and offers the essential knowledge and skills that must be mastered in order to carry, store, and use a firearm safely and effectively for personal protection outside the home. Upon completion of level one, students may choose to attend level two, which is an additional five hours of range training and teaches advanced shooting skills. After the classroom portion, students should expect to spend several hours on the range and shoot approximately 100 rounds of ammunition during level one. Level two involves five additional hours on the range and approximately 115 rounds of ammunition. The ammunition requirements are minimum and may be exceeded. 
  • Course Pre-requisites: NRA Personal Protection Inside the Home Course or Pre-Course Assessment
  • Course Length: 9 hours - Level One, 5 hours - Level Two (14 hours total)
​The NRA Basics of Personal Protection Outside The Home is for adult individuals who are not disqualified from possessing a firearm as defined by applicable federal, state, or local law and are of good repute and possess defensive pistol skills presented in the NRA Basics of Personal Protection In The Home Course. Participants must also understand the basic legal concepts relating to the use of firearms in self-defense, and must know and observe not only general gun safety rules, but also those safety principles that are specific to defensive situations. Prospective participants can demonstrate that they have the requisite knowledge, skills, and attitudes by producing an NRA Basic Personal Protection In The Home Course Certificate, or by passing the pre-course evaluation.

Gun Safety Rules
NRA Rules for Safe Gun Handling:
  • ALWAYS KEEP THE GUN POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION
  • ALWAYS KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL READY TO SHOOT
  • ALWAYS KEEP THE GUN UNLOADED UNTIL READY TO USE
It is also important to know your target and what is beyond.  You are responsible for every round that leaves the gun.

Student Materials
​Students will receive:
  • NRA Guide to the Basics of Personal Protection Outside The Home handbook
  • NRA Gun Safety Rules brochure
  • The appropriate course completion certificates(s), NRA Basic Personal Protection Outside The Home (identifies strong-side hip holster or purse use) certificate, or NRA Advanced Personal Protection Outside The Home certificate.