PPOTH Basic Course Lesson Details

Lesson I          (1 hr)        - Classroom

Introduction to Concealed Carry Safety and the Defensive Mindset

• Responsibility & Ethics
• Applying the three basic safety rules outside the home
• Rules for storing or using a firearm outside the home
• Special safety considerations outside the home
• Techniques for storage outside the home
• Four levels of awareness

Lesson II         (1 hr)        - Classroom

Introduction to Self Defense and Concealed Carry

• Importance of mental preparation and mindset for carrying and using a firearm outside the home
• Techniques for avoiding life-threatening confrontations
• Psychological and physiological changes that may occur during an attack
• Differences between in the home and outside the home use of a firearm
• Techniques for controlling and responding to a violent encounter
• Emotional, legal and social aftermath of a defensive shooting outside the home

Lesson III        (1 hr)        - Classroom

Legal Aspects of Concealed Carry and Self-Defense

• Rights and restrictions under the law for carrying a defensive handgun
• Key legal provisions and restrictions pertaining to the use of deadly force
• Criminal and civil legal actions that may take place subsequent to a defensive shooting
• Where to find local jurisdiction specific legal information

Lesson IV        (1 hr)        - Classroom

Carry Modes and Concealment

• Various handgun concealed carry modes and benefits/limitations of each
• Basic principles of handgun concealment for self-defense outside the home

Lesson V         (1 1/2 hr)  - Range

Presenting the Handgun from Concealment

• Techniques for safely presenting a handgun from concealment

Lesson VI        (2 hrs)       - Range

Presentation, Position and Movement

• Presenting a handgun from concealment and shooting targets in center of mass, to include:
• After moving to a high barricade
• Engaging two targets
• Aimed fire techniques with strong hand only
• Point shooting with two hands
• Point shooting with strong hand only

Lesson VIII      (1/2 hr)     - Classroom

Sport Shooting Activities and Training Opportunities

• Organizations, associations, clubs, and businesses that may help hone, enhance, and expand personal protection skills
• Methods and precautions for dry-fire practice, including drawing from a holster

Lesson IX        (1 hr)        - Classroom

Course Review and Examination

• Programs, history and membership benefits of the NRA

Completion of the NRA Personal Protection Outside the Home written examination

PPOTH Advanced Course Lesson Details

Lesson VII       (5 hrs)       - Range (Required to earn 'advanced' certificate)

Special Shooting Techniques

Advanced presenting of a handgun from concealment and shooting targets in center of mass, to include:

• Hip shooting techniques with strong hand - "speed rock"
• Moving rearward, stopping and shooting
• Standing to kneeling behind low barricade
• Standing to squatting behind low barricade
• Moving to low barricade kneeling or squatting
• From sitting to standing
• Standing, facing 90 degrees to target, turning left to shoot
• Standing, facing 90 degrees to target, turning right to shoot
• Standing, facing 180 degrees to target, turning left to shoot
• Standing, facing 180 degrees to target, turning right to shoot
• Engaging at extended range
• Under low-light conditions

Completion of this Lesson earns students the 'Advanced' certificate of completion

Normally conducted in a separate session of training available to all those holding a 'Basic' completion certificate

Equipment Requirements

Firearm Retention

• Strong-side concealed-carry hip holster (required)
• Concealed-Carry Vest or light jacket (required)
• Concealed-carry purse (optional)
• Fanny-pack carry holster (optional)

Ammunition

Lesson Five:         42 rounds

Lesson Six:              54 rounds

Lesson Seven:        112 rounds

Total:                      208 (minimum), 300 (recommended)

TOTAL

9 or 14-Hour Classroom & Range

Personal Protection Outside the Home is a newest NRA firearms instruction course, which has been available since January, 2007.  This course is designed to help develop the knowledge, skills, and attitude essential for avoiding dangerous confrontations, and for the safe, effective use of a concealed handgun for self-defense outside the home.

Unlike other NRA courses, this course has two levels of accomplishment associated with it.  The two levels include the Basic and the Advanced versions of the course material.  They differ by a single lesson (Lesson VII), which adds an additional five (5) hours of instruction over the nine (9) hours which are included in the basic version.  As a result, taking the complete advanced course would include a minimum of fourteen (14) hours of classroom and range instruction.

Two separate certificates are achievable with this course, and will presented to those students completing either or both versions.  The certificates for the advanced version also differ in that they have 'check boxes', initialed by the instructor, showing which form(s) of concealed-carry firearm presentation were performed by the student.  The three forms include: 1) Hip Holster, 2) Fanny Pack, and 3) Holster Purse.

In addition, this course is designed to build upon the training provided in the NRA Personal Protection in the Home course (PPITH) - which is a pre-requisite, and needs to be demonstrated by presenting a PPITH student completion certificate, or by passing the PPITH student test with a minimum score of 70% prior to the start of the course material.