Shotguns
More than 73,000 members gathered in the country’s fourth most-populous city to celebrate their Second Amendment freedoms. Everything’s bigger in Texas, and the fourth most-populous city hosting the 155th NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits in Houston April 17-19, 2026 did not disappoint. The NRA show is open to all NRA members and their immediate families…
Frustrated in their search for next-level instruction on the Big Island, two women journey 3,800 miles to Texas for the gold standard in training. By Heidi Rao One of the greatest things about being an NRA Certified Firearms Instructors is that you meet the greatest people. This is because individuals who specifically look for NRA…
A Successful Guide to Introducing New Firearm Owners to Their First Range Experience with Confidence and Success BY HEIDI LYN RAO The sights, sounds, and smells of a gun range may be something that brings comfort to you as a frequent and experienced shooter. To a brand-new shooter, a trip to the gun range may…
As we get more proficient with our firearms, it is important to know the differences between their parts. When NRA Certified Firearm Instructors teach students to use the correct terminology, many times it is in general terms. For example, we teach the terms “forearm” and “stock.” While these terms are correct, they are general terms.…
We all know what it is like trying to complete a project and constantly being interrupted by the phone, co-workers or even our kids. All of us at one time or another have said, “It’s so loud in here, I can’t even hear myself think!” If you have ever said or thought this, your concentration…
NRA Certified Instructors are ambassadors for the NRA. If you are a student, here are four ways to recognize when your instructor is putting his or her best foot forward. When you visit a gun range, one thing you will notice is there usually is no shortage of firearms instructors. There may be business cards…
Spending my entire adult life in a career introducing people to firearms and hunting and teaching the safe and proper use, storage, and handling of fire- arms, one of the most frequently asked questions is, “What is the best age to introduce my kids to firearms?†The answer, without hesitation, is NOW! As parents, we…
Some of today’s most popular cartridges started out as “wildcats,” but thanks to SAAMI, are now produced as safe, standard and commonly available rounds. One of the first things new gun owners notice when they are looking to purchase their first firearm is the seemingly endless number of caliber options to choose from in the…
We’ve all read stories of priceless artifacts—usually works of art or original historic documents—discovered in pawn shops and garage sales. But as the author discovered, valuable firearms are also hiding in plain sight. Have you ever imagined going to a typical garage sale in your neighborhood and leaving with a $10 painting that caught your…
Six-time Olympic medalist Kim Rhode is living proof that determination and preparation can take you anywhere—even to the podium at the world’s biggest stage. Known for her remarkable achievements in skeet and double trap, Kim has carved a place for herself in a sport where it was once a rarity for women. But her story…