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Doing It the Right Way: Common Mistakes in Firearms Training that You Should Avoid

Doing It the Right Way: Common Mistakes in Firearms Training that You Should Avoid

Jul 01, 2019

Carrying a concealed weapon is becoming an act of self-empowerment that signifies you’re now an adult who can take care of your personal safety. More and more people all over America are taking their self-protection more seriously in light of the increasing crime rate in the country.

The first step toward adapting to a life of concealed carry is enrolling in a good firearms training course. Most people who arrive at the weapons training classes have no prior understanding of what to expect and often make rookie mistakes while training. While one can argue about the right way of learning how to shoot, there are some definite wrong ways.

Here’s a list of some common mistakes newbie’s make when they start their weapons training classes:

Taking advice from an amateur

Just because someone owns a gun doesn’t mean they’re a firearms expert. It’s always important to follow only the advice obtained by professional weapons trainers. Check the references of the instructors just to be sure that they’re competent and experienced trainers. Avoid listening to that one loud-mouthed person who likes to boast about their Rambo-like shooting skills!

Buying the wrong gun

Concealed carry means the gun that you choose is compact and easily concealable. While a larger gun might be easier to fire and handle, it’s difficult to have it on your person in a discreet and effectively hidden manner. Try to budget for two guns; one for beginner training, which you can keep in your home or your car, and another for your personal concealed carry!

Buying a holster before training

During the course of the training, you’ll find out what kind of a shooter you are. You’ll also find out your strengths and weaknesses and which hand you prefer to use. All of this factors into the kind of holster that’ll be perfect for your concealed carry needs. Buying a holster before training means you’ll probably end up trying to fit your training to the holster rather than your own skills. This means you’ll probably have to retrain once you get a new holster.

Showing off your packing status

The whole point of a concealed weapon is trying to ensure your personal safety without letting anyone know you’re packing. If you keep boasting about it to your coworkers and friends, you’re probably inviting a lot of trouble. Someone might try to use your weapon for self-harm or make you a target of discrimination. It can also be disastrous in case of a bad situation where someone unintentionally lets it slip that you’re packing, thus endangering your life!

Stay safe and learn from the best at The Carry Academy. We offer expert concealed carry training classes online in a fun and easy-to-understand layout. Our course is affordable and easy to access from most personal devices. Visit our website to register in our course and be qualified for your concealed carry permit in no time!

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What people ask about our concealed carry course

  • Which states recognize this course?

    The Carry Academy course meets the requirements for many different states, most of which through the reciprocity of a VA nonresident concealed handgun permit. See the state list.

  • How does The Carry Academy fulfill the necessary training requirements in so many different states?

    The majority of these states allow you to carry a concealed weapon by obtaining an Virginia Nonesident Concealed Handgun Permit. If you live in Iowa, Oregon or Virginia; you can apply for a Residents Permit as this course fulfills their necessary training requirements.

  • What is the process for obtaining my Virginia resident and nonresident concealed handgun permit?

    Virginia Resident Concealed Handgun Permits are issued by the circuit court of the county or city in which the applicant resides. You can obtain your application form by visiting the Resident Concealed Handgun Permits page on the Virginia State Police website. Non-residents will need to visit the Nonresident Concealed Handgun Permits page on the Virginia State Police website.

  • Am I guaranteed CCW permit approval if I live in one of your approved states?

    Unfortunately, we are not able to make such a claim. Even though many states honor the reciprocity laws of Virginia, we have found that some jurisdictions do not abide by these laws. We recommend, for all those interested, to first contact your local municipality or sheriff's department and explain that you will be taking an online course and applying for a VA nonresidents concealed handgun permit and ask if they will accept, prior to taking our online course.

  • How do I receive my certificate?

    Your certificate will appear on your screen, in your My Account area, upon passing the test. You may print or save it for later printing. An additional copy will also be emailed to you for your convenience. If you do not receive an email, be sure to check your Junk Mail folder. If marked as spam, mark it as "Not Spam" to help ensure safe delivery of any future emails from The Carry Academy.

  • What is reciprocity?

    Many jurisdictions have established arrangements where they recognize or honor permits or licenses issued by other jurisdictions with comparable standards, for instance in regard to marriage or driver's licenses. This is known as Reciprocity and is based on U.S. Constitution "full faith and credit" provision. Due to the nature of gun politics, reciprocity in regard to weapons carry permits or licenses has been controversial.

  • What is a concealed carry permit?

    A concealed carry permit is the practice of carrying a handgun or other weapon in public in a concealed manner, either on one's person or in close proximity.

  • Where do I find resident application links for my state?

    Please refer to the State Laws page.

  • What is the test like? Am I likely to pass?

    The test is 20 questions that are multiple choice and true/false. You must answer 15 questions, correctly, to pass. Although 99% of our students pass the first time, if you for some reason do not pass, you may go back and review the material and take it again at no additional charge.

  • Do I not need to shoot a gun to qualify for a concealed carry permit?

    No. Virginia, Iowa and Oregon law do not mandate live fire for meeting the training requirements for a concealed carry permit.

  • Do I need to watch the video all at once?

    No, although we recommend watching the video in one sitting, it can be paused and resumed at a later time. Please note; however, the session may expire after a certain amount of time. If that happens, you will need to restart the video when you log back in. We recommend watching the video in one sitting.

  • Are there places where you cannot conceal carry?

    While generally a concealed carry permit allows the permit holder to carry a concealed weapon in public, a state may restrict carry of a firearm including a permitted concealed weapon while in or on certain properties, facilities or types of businesses that are otherwise open to the public. These areas vary by state (except for the first item below; Federal offices are subject to superseding Federal law) and can include State and Federal goverment facilities, political events, educational institutions, hospitals, churches and others.

  • I am having issues with the video loading or it keeps stopping, what should I do?

    There are numerous factors that could cause the video to load or play improperly. Make sure that you are using a modern web browser. If problems persist, trying using a different web browser or device.

  • What training requirements are needed in order to obtain a CCW?

    Some states require concealed carry applicants to certify their proficiency with a firearm through some type of training or instruction. Certain training courses developed by the National Rifle Association that combine classroom and live-fire instruction typically meet most state training requirements. Some states recognize prior military or police service as meeting training requirements.

  • How much is the Firearms Safety Training Course?

    Our course is currently available for only $49.99. You can register here.

  • Where do I find more information about my states laws including reciprocity/traveling information?

    Please refer to the State Laws page.

  • What are the training requirements of Virginia?

    Virginia recognizes eight specific training options to prove competency in handgun handling, ranging from DD214 for honorably discharged military veterans, to certification from law enforcement training, to firearms training conducted by a state or NRA certified firearms instructor including electronic, video, or on-line courses. While any one of the eight listed options will be considered adequate proof, individual circuit courts may recognize other training options.

  • What is the process for obtaining my Virginia, Iowa or Oregon residents permit?

    Please refer to the State Laws page.

  • Is this class accepted for both resident and non-resident permit?

    Yes. Please refer to the State Laws page.

  • Will this class be accepted for the renewal of my permit (for states where this is necessary)?

    Yes.

  • Is my credit card information safe?

    Yes, credit card information is processed and then safely discarded. Our site is also guarded behind a firewall and 128-bit SSL, for your protection.

  • Is my information confidential?

    Yes, our privacy policy states that all your information is kept confidential and is never sold to a third party agency.

  • How long do I have to watch video after signing up?

    Once you have signed up for the course, you have 30 days to watch the video. If video is not watched within 30 days, we charge a $9.99 fee to reset the expiration.

  • What is your policy on refunds?

    Refunds will only be issued in the event that you are unable to access the Resources through no fault of your own (i.e., due to an outage or other non-functionality of The Carry Academy websites) for a period forty-eight (48) hours commencing with the time that you register and pay for access to the Resources. No refunds will be issued once you receive a Certificate of Completion.