Shotgun Training
Shotguns are firearms that have a variety of applications including recreation, hunting, law enforcement and home and self defense. While the “point-and-shoot” nature of a shotgun does not require the precision “aim-and-shoot” accuracy of a handgun or rifle to hit the target, you may wish to learn more about shotguns to increase your skills and safety knowledge.
-
Varieties
-
Due to the variety of tasks in which shotguns are used, an assortment of shotguns have been created. A shotgun is defined in the United States by the Gun Control Act of 1968 as “a weapon designed…and intended to be fired from the shoulder and…to use the energy of an explosive to fire through a smooth bore either a number of ball shot or a single projectile for each single pull of the trigger.” Within that definition, shotguns designed for sport, hunting, and combat have been created, with training available specifically for each type.
NRA Courses
-
The prolific presence of the National Rifle Association (NRA) allows for a wide array of firearm training courses across the United States. The association offers many classes that cater to beginning shooters as well as advanced professionals. The NRA Basic Shotgun Shooting Course, for example, is a conglomeration of classroom and range instruction that “teaches the basic knowledge, skills, and attitude for the safe and proper use of a shotgun in shooting a moving target,” while the NRA Instructor Shotgun Shooting Course teaches advanced skills and certifies shooting instructors. The NRA’s website allows you to find a course in your area.
-
Tactical Training
-
While all NRA firearms training provides the basic knowledge and skills to shoot a firearm regardless of the purpose for shooting it, an emphasis is often placed on using weapons for self defense or law enforcement applications. To this end, those who use shotguns strictly for hunting or recreation may find some material inapplicable, but even “tactical training” can provide some useful knowledge for the recreational shooter.
Some classes through the National Rifle Association offer knowledge and specific skill training that caters to personal home defense, in which shotguns are a common theme. While a recreational or hunting shotgun could be used in defending against a home intruder, tactical shotguns are available and are often used in training courses.
Camps
-
In addition to training offered by the NRA, “shooting sports camps” are also offered across the United States. Camps have a specific theme, including basic shooting, competition, hunting, general day camps, trapshooting, skeet shooting, safety and and firearm education and others. These camps lack the rigorous, focused schedule of training courses, but are intended to be fun, family-friendly events for the community.
Other Training
-
For those interested in customizing their shotguns, four schools in the United States have partnered with the NRA to teach participants the art and science of gunsmithing. The participating schools are in North Carolina, Colorado, California and Oklahoma. Students can learn varying skills at each school, though not all of them apply strictly to shotguns. Such skills can be used for a hobby or business, and can increase both the look and performance of a shotgun.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit cdtirot5 image by Paco Ayala from Fotolia.com
