2 Hours Total | 1 Hour Classroom + 1 Hour Live Fire

Purpose:
To introduce youth students to safe, responsible handgun handling through structured instruction, strict supervision, and age-appropriate training methods. This course builds discipline, awareness, confidence, and respect for firearms.

This is not entertainment shooting.
This is foundation training.

• Ages: Typically 10–17 (adjust based on your policy)
   
• Parent or Legal Guardian Required on Site
   
• No prior experience required
   
• Instructor-to-Student Ratio: 1:2 or tighter
   
• All youth must demonstrate maturity and ability to follow instructions
   

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate the 4 Rules of Firearm Safety from memory
   
• Safely handle, load, unload, and verify a handgun
   
• Maintain proper muzzle discipline at all times
   
• Use correct stance, grip, and trigger control
   
• Fire controlled, accurate shots at close distance
   
• Show understanding of responsibility and consequences
   

• Introductions
   
• Explain:
   
  • This is serious training
     
  • We treat firearms with respect
     
  • Safety is not optional
     
• Set tone: calm, focused, disciplined
   

Students must be able to repeat and explain:

1. Treat every gun as if it is loaded
    
2. Never point the muzzle at anything you are not willing to destroy
    
3. Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on target
    
4. Be sure of your target and what is beyond it
    

Use real-world examples kids understand:

• “Would you point it at your friend? No.”
   
• “Would you point it at mom or dad? No.”
   

Make it personal and real, not abstract.

Using a cleared, inert firearm or training pistol:

• Parts of the handgun:
   
  • Grip
     
  • Trigger
     
  • Slide
     
  • Magazine
     
  • Muzzle
     
  • Ejection port
     
• What each part does
   
• What makes it fire
   
• How it feeds ammunition
   

No live ammo in the classroom. Ever.

Teach:

• How to pick up a handgun safely
   
• How to set it down safely
   
• How to hand it to an adult/instructor
   
• How to check if it is unloaded
   

Drill this repeatedly.

This is where habits are formed.

Introduce:

Stance

• Athletic stance
   
• Balanced
   
• Knees slightly bent
   

Grip

• Two hands
   
• Firm but not shaking
   
• Thumbs forward
   

Sight Alignment & Sight Picture

• Front sight focus
   
• Equal height, equal light
   

Trigger Control

• Slow, smooth press
   
• No jerking
   
• No slapping
   

Use:

• Dry fire practice
   
• Wall drills
   
• Laser trainers (if available)
   

This is critical for youth.

Cover:

• Firearms are tools, not toys
   
• You never show off
   
• You never joke
   
• You never touch without permission
   
• You tell an adult immediately if you see a firearm unattended
   

Explain:

“Being allowed to shoot means you are trusted.
Trust is earned by behavior.”
 

This is character training, not just shooting.

All students under direct instructor control at all times.
One shooter at a time if needed. No exceptions.

Re-state:

• 4 Rules
   
• Range commands:
   
  • “Cease fire”
     
  • “Unload and show clear”
     
  • “Range is cold”
     

Explain what each means.

Instructor demonstrates:

• Stance
   
• Grip
   
• Sight alignment
   
• Trigger press
   
• Safe reholstering or benching
   

Students watch first.

Before live fire:

• Students practice:
   
  • Grip
     
  • Stance
     
  • Sight alignment
     
  • Trigger press (dry)
     

Instructor checks each student individually.

No rushing.

Start with:

• Close distance (3–5 yards)
   
• Large target
   
• One round at a time
   

Progress to:

• 2–3 rounds per string
   
• Focus on:
   
  • Muzzle control
     
  • Finger discipline
     
  • Slow trigger press
     

Round count: 50–75 rounds max

Quality over quantity.

This is where value is created.

Correct:

• Grip
   
• Anticipation
   
• Flinching
   
• Trigger slap
   
• Stance issues
   

Keep tone:

• Calm
   
• Encouraging
   
• Clear
   

Never embarrass a child. Ever.

Gather students and review:

• What they learned
   
• What they did well
   
• One thing to improve
   

End on success.

• Youth-appropriate handgun (or academy provided)
   
• 50–75 rounds of ammunition
   
• Eye & ear protection (youth sized)
   
• Closed-toe shoes
   
• Hat recommended
   
• High-neck shirt
   
• Water
   

• Must remain on site
   
• Must sign:
   
  • Liability waiver
     
  • Safety agreement
     
  • Behavior agreement
     

This program is built on:

• Safety before skill
   
• Discipline before speed
   
• Awareness before accuracy
   
• Responsibility before rights
   

This is how you build good shooters and better humans.