I have received the final version of the NRA Personal Protection Outside the Home (PPOH) course material, so I can now start scheduling classes. I’ve said this before and I’ll repeat it - the NRA Training Division did a great job on this course! I need some input from you folks who have expressed an interest in taking the class, so please give me your thoughts.
The NRA Personal Protection in the Home Course (PPIH) is a pre-requisite to taking PPOH, but the NRA has created an evaluation form that can be used to verify that a person is eligible for a waiver of the PPIH pre-requisite. It’s more than just gun handling, but that is the primary focus because of safety issues related to drawing and shooting from a holster or purse. Please do not ask for a waiver, if you do not possess very good gun-handling skills. You guys who are experienced shooters and will be taking the course with a wife or girlfriend that doesn’t share your level of experience should think twice before “testing out� of PPIH. Both of these courses are excellent for couples to take together.
Marc and I have taught PPIH in both ladies-only and co-ed formats, so there are a number of people who have already met the pre-requisite. Most of the people who have sent either a PM or an email wanting to take the course have not taken the PPIH course and will be taking it as well as PPOH, unless PPIH is waived.
There is some duplication in the two courses, including the 2 ½ hour legal portion of the classes. I would like to schedule the legal portion on a weeknight and it could be attended by people taking PPIH and PPOH, or PPOH by itself. This will avoid anyone having to listen to the same presentation only a week or two apart. The only way this works is if the classes are taken close together. This plan is pending NRA approval.
The PPIH is an 8 hour course and PPOH is either a 9 hour or a 14 hour course. A student taking the 9 hour version will have about 2 hours on the range and will receive a Basis Certificate upon successful completion. The 14 hour course includes 5 additional hours on the range and earns the student an Advanced Certificate.
Obviously, we aren’t going to spend 14 hours in class and on the range in one day. When Marc and I teach the PPIH course, we typically schedule it on a Friday evening from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm and 5 to 7 hours on Saturday, depending on whether people want to do additional range drills. With PPOH, I think it would be beneficial to break the course up into two weekday evenings and all day (8 hrs.) on Saturday, with most of that time spent sending rounds down range. The alternative is to schedule two Saturdays of about 7 hours each. Here is where I need input from you folks. Would most people prefer to get it done in one week using two weekday evenings and a Saturday, or would you prefer two Saturdays? (If the NRA approves teaching the legal portion once for both courses if they are given in close proximity time-wise, then this will save 2 ½ for a person taking both courses, but only if we schedule evening classes.)
I’m making this a poll for simplicity sake, but I would like your comments.
Thanks,
Chas.
Fees: PPIH = $65
PPOH = $85