Trinidad State College is pleased to announce a partnership with the National Rifle Association to launch the first ever NRA Certified Training Center in February of 2015. Approved by the Department of Education and the Higher Learning Commission, this affiliation allows students to use federal financial aid, the GI Bill and Vocational Rehabilitation benefits to help pay for their firearms safety training.
Five classes teaching the essentials necessary to earn NRA Instructor Certification credentials will begin on February 19, 2015.
“More than 100,000 NRA Certified Instructors teach nearly 1,000,000 students the basics of safe, effective use of firearms every year,” said NRA General Operations Executive Director Kyle Weaver. “Partnering with Trinidad means America’s longstanding tradition of gun ownership has never been more secure.”
Trinidad State President Dr. Carmen Simone expects to receive applications from all over the country. “It’s about education and gun safety,” said Simone. “And we have a great opportunity to train the trainers who teach people how to properly handle firearms.”
Classes are divided into two groups: Basic and Instructor. To gain a NRA Firearms Safety Instructor Certificate, students must complete 18-credit hours. The classes include basic pistol shooting, followed by an instructor level pistol shooting class. Other classes cover rifles, shotguns and muzzle loading firearms. A public speaking class is required along with a practice teaching course.”
“The thing that most people don’t know is the NRA’s primary business since they started was education and safety training,” said Gunsmithing Instructor and Associate Dean of Career and Technical Education Keith Gipson. “We’ve worked a long time to get this together.”
Trinidad State’s affiliation with the National Rifle Association dates back to 1977. For 37 years, students have signed up for nine weeks of gun-related summer classes. More than 20 additional classes are on this year’s agenda thanks to the new NRA partnership.
The new curriculum aligns well with Trinidad State’s renowned Gunsmithing school; a two-year program that trains individuals to become professional gunsmiths. Trinidad State also operates Prator Gun Range, a shooting complex located six miles southeast of downtown Trinidad. The complex offers trap and skeet shooting as well as multiple rifle and pistol lanes. Lectures for the new classes will take place at the range and the main campus.
The new curriculum aligns well with Trinidad State’s renowned Gunsmithing school; a two-year program that trains individuals to become professional gunsmiths. Trinidad State also operates Prator Gun Range, a shooting complex located six miles southeast of downtown Trinidad. The complex offers trap and skeet shooting as well as multiple rifle and pistol lanes. Lectures for the new classes will take place at the range and the main campus.
For questions or to register, contact Donna Haddow at 719-846-5541, 1-800-621-8752 ext. 5541 or donna.haddow@trinidadstate.edu.