Question to fellow NRA Cert. Instructors

[IAJack]

Hey,

I am an NRA Cert. pistol instructor. Long story but I am in a situation to where my services might possibly be in demand soon. We are on the verge of electiong a pro-CCW sheriff.

I have the full instructors insurance through the NRA program. Right now I only conduct a couple saftey classes to individuals here and there. No concerns now since no valid CCW permits are issued as result of my classes.

I noticed though where the insurance says it covers claims of improper training. My question is how big of a concern is this? Has it affected or touched any of you as instructors? Has there ever been a case to where an instructor and their training was brought into it?

BTW, I also have a very lengthy and serious waiver prepared that I have students sign. I have had this drawn up and examined by a attourney of course, but we all know what waivers and legal docs actually mean to ambulance chasers.

I just always worry about what if situations and try to think ahead and cover my bases and value others opinions on this board.

Thanks

 

[molonlabe]

I think the important thing to remember is to teach only what is in the lesson plan. There are holds (stances) that work better for individual people but I leave that out of the Basic Pistol class and that is difficult for me. If you are going to give a Personal Protection class remember that a LEO or practicing Lawyer has to give that section. You are giving a test and I suggest you keep a copy for your records that show they understood the course material. I always recommend they spend a lot of time on the range and become proficient with their carry firearm. I stress practice, practice, and practice.

 

[Hkmp5sd]

I don't really worry about insurance or liability for teaching. As long as you teach the NRA course and don't expand it on your own, you should be safe. I've been teaching the Florida CCW course for around 15 years and have not heard of any instructor being sued for improper training. The Florida CCW course requires teaching gun safety, so I don't go beyond that. I know some instructors that get into the legal use of deadly force, locations you cannot carry and other legal information. Since I am not a lawyer and it is not required for the class, I don't get into those areas as I can see the possibility of getting in trouble over bad advice.

IMO, it's kinda like the laws on CPR/First Aid. As long as you do what you were trained to do, you are protected. If you happened to have stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night and want to have a go at using your ballpoint pen and pocket knife to do a tracheostomy, all bets are off.

 

[JohnKSa]

I've never heard of anyone having trouble.

I'm not even worried enough about it to carry the insurance.

NRA CERT Instructor
Endorsements--Rifle, Pistol, Shotgun, RSO

 

[P95Carry]

Got my cert last month - but to be honest had not thought of insurance aspect. Sept I am planning to join others to help run basic Pistol course. It'll be NRA ''by the book''.

If I do a ''personal protection'' course then - apart from requirement for lawyer or Cop then I may think harder on that - but ... keep good records is I think a good caveat.

 

[Trebor]

I'd reccomend you get the insurance. While the odds of a problem may be low, if something happens you could be on the hook for EVERYTHING you own or will ever earn. The risk just isn't worth it.

You may also want to look into incorporating your training business for the additional legal protection that would offer. That way they could only go after your corporate assets in most cases.

Remember, the insurance is a legimate business expense and is deductable on your taxes. Even if you are just filing personal taxes and not as a corporation, you can still deduct expenses relating to your "sole proprietiership" business.

 

[rayra]

Trebor beat me to it. Incorporation is well worth it, one lawsuit could destroy you financially, without it.

/CA lawsuit-land resident

 

[SteveS]

I just got my cert. and the training counselor suggested that you get insurance. IIRC, the NRA offers $1,000,000 of liability for $400 a year, which seems pretty cheap. He also said that, as long as you follow the NRA course, they will obtain a good, pro-gun lawyer to defend you.

I would rather be safe than sorry. Despite that fact that I keep good records, follow all rules, and am always eithical in my practice, I have malpractice insurance (I am a therapist).

 

[The Reaper]

Nothing much to add other than to recommend you incorporate. Quite a few tax advatages and protection of your personal assets. All the instructors in our company have the NRA policy, just the basic one for a little over $100.

Also once you incorporate get on the phone with Brownells and other outfits who will extend you a corporate rate for your purchases. They have a bunch of stuff you can use as an instructor. We bought hearing protection, cleaning supplies and all sorts of other stuff at the corporate rate for our training business.

On the insurance and incorporation, I look at it like this, I wear a seatbelt, I carry concealed, and I insure my personal assets. Why wouldn't I want to protect my business in some way as well as myself. It only takes one person to do something stupid and to drag you into it. After all society has become a bunch of it's not my fault xyz told me to shoot the guy on my lawn and drag him into the house.

Good luck, and lucky you having a pro-ccw sheriff in Iowa. I haven't lived there in awhile, but my family still does.

 

[Cliff]

I have the insurance,and I recommend it. I keep it NRA straight down the line as far as the course is concerned. Better to have it and not need it,then to need it..., a very wise and timely phrase. Sounds like you have all your bases covered,and yes, sometimes it can be hard to not expand on a basic pistol class,harder still when you just got back from a defensive pistol school. but I always keep in mind that a persons first introduction to proper & safe pistol shooting and handling is from me,and that fact alone helps to keep me on my toes. All the above suggestions are great,and I consider it a honor to have the humbling responsibility of introducing someone to the shooting sports in a proper,safe manner.