Learn how to carefully select, feed and operate the defensive shotgun for optimum effectiveness.
This is an intermediate/advanced shotgun class.
Our Defensive shotgun course teaches you how to utilize a shotgun for personal defense.
The shotgun is one of the most effective and versatile weapons available to for self-defense. It is also the least understood and most under-utilized weapon system. This intensive one-day Defensive Shotgun class will teach you efficient techniques for handling and shooting the shotgun under stressful conditions.
This is an advanced course. You must have taken the NRA Basics of Shotgun Shooting class.
Topics Covered Include
- Firearm safety
- Defensive mindset & use of force
- Selection of the defensive shotgun
- Ammunition selection and capabilities
- Patterning for optimum performance
- Nomenclature and mechanical operation
- Shooting technique & recoil management
- Loading/reloading & malfunction skills
- Safe storage and access considerations
- Care and maintenance
Defensive Shotgun Course Details & Online Registration
FAQs
Does this class give me a California Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC)?
No. The FSC is a separate DOJ test.
Does it count as hunter education?
No. California requires a separate hunter education course for a hunting license.
Do I need to bring my own shotgun?
You must bring your own firearm and ammunition. We have loaner shotguns available. Please leave your firearm and ammunition secured in your vehicle until instructed to retrieve it.
What should I bring?
- Defensive Shotgun
- Eye & Ear protection
- Shell bag – Or some method for keeping roughly 25 shells on your person at any one time, preferably with a dump pouch or shell pouch that can be worn on the belt.
- Ammunition – Minimum of 50 rounds of LEAD birdshot (#4 or #6 Shot), 25 rounds of buckshot, plus an additional 10 rounds of good quality buckshot you would consider for personal/home defense.
- Pen & paper for note taking
Is it open to non-members?
Yes this and all of the courses and matches offered at Apple Valley Gun Club are open to the public. You do not need to be a member to participate.
About our instructors
Apple Valley Gun Club has a variety of course instructors, all with an extensive training background. Following is a (partial) list of our instructors and their qualifications:
Jason Cole
- NRA Basics of Pistol
- NRA Personal Protection Inside the Home
- NRA Personal Protection Outside the Home
- DOJ Firearms Instructor
Deborah Harris
- NRA Certified instructor Basics of Pistol Shooting
- NRA Certified Instructor Basics of Rifle Shooting
- NRA Certified Instructor Personal Protection Inside the Home
- NRA Certified Instructor Personal Protection Outside the Home
- NRA Certified Instructor CCW
- NRA Certified Instructor Defensive Pistol
- NRA Certified Instructor Refuse to Be a Victim
- NRA Certified Instructor Home Firearms Safety
- NRA Certified Chief Range Safety Officer
- P.O.S.T. Certified Firearms Instructor
- DOJ Certified CCW Instructor
Jenaraye Ryan (Graham)
- NRA Pistol Coach (Level 1)
- NRA Rifle Coach (Level 1)
- NRA Chief Range Safety Officer
- NRA Certified Instructor Basics of Pistol Shooting
- NRA Certified Instructor Basics of Rifle Shooting
- NRA Certified Instructor Basics of Shotgun Shooting
- NRA Certified Home Firearms Safety
- NRA Certified Refuse To Be A Victim
- NRA Certified Personal Protection Inside The Home
- NRA Certified Personal Protection Outside The Home
- NRA Certified Defensive Pistol
- NRA Certified CCW Instructor
- DOJ Certified CCW Instructor
Tracey Graham
- NRA Chief Range Safety Officer
- NRA Pistol Coach (Level 1)
- NRA Rifle Coach (Level 1)
- NRA Certified Pistol Instructor
- NRA Certified Rifle Instructor
- NRA Certified Shotgun Instructor
- NRA Certified Home Firearms Safety Instructor
- NRA Certified Refuse to be a Victim Instructor
- NRA CCW Instructor
- NRA Personal Protection in the Home Instructor
- NRA Personal Protection Outside the Home Instructor
- Stop the Bleed Instructor
- USCCA Instructor
- Utah CCW Instructor
- P.O.S.T Certified Firearms Instructor
- CA DOJ Certified Firearms Instructor
Jack Kulju
Charles Mahoney
- NRA Certified Rifle Instructor
- NRA Certified Pistol Instructor
- NRA Certified Shotgun Instructor
- NRA Home Firearm Safety
- NRA Refuse to be a Victim
- NRA Personal Protection Inside the Home
- NRA Personal Protection Outside the Home
Joni Mahoney
- NRA Certified Rifle Instructor
- NRA Certified Pistol Instructor
- NRA Certified Shotgun Instructor
- NRA Home Firearm Safety
- NRA Refuse to be a Victim
- NRA Personal Protection Inside the Home
- NRA Personal Protection Outside the Home
David Smith
- NRA Chief Range Safety Officer
- NRA Certified Rifle Instructor
- NRA Certified Pistol Instructor
- NRA Certified Shotgun Instructor
- NRA Certified Muzzleloader Instructor
- NRA Personal Protection In the Home Instructor
- NRA Personal Protection Outside the Home Instructor
- NRA Home Firearm Safety Instructor
- NRA Refuse To Be a Victim Instructor
- NRA CCW Instructor
Wendy Stephens
- NRA Certified Firearms Instructor
- NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting
- NRA Basics of Rifle
- NRA Basics of Shotgun
- NRA Chief Range Safety Officer
- NRA CCW Instructor
- NRA Defensive Pistol
- NRA Personal Protection Inside the Home
- NRA Personal Protection Outside the Home
- NRA Refuse to Be a Victim
- NRA Home Firearm Safety
- DOJ Certified CCW instructor
- First Aid, Trauma & Stop the Bleed certified
Jonathan Weldy
- NRA Certified Rifle Instructor (Level 1)
- NRA Certified Pistol Instructor (Level 1)
- NRA Certified Shotgun Instructor
- NRA Home Firearm Safety
- NRA Refuse to Be a Victim
- NRA Personal Protection Inside the Home
- NRA Personal Protection Outside the Home
- NRA CCW Instructor
- NRA Chief Range Safety Officer
- DOJ Certified CCW instructor
All AVGC firearms training classes and matches are open to the public.
The gate will be unlocked and open when you arrive and will be locked shortly after the event or class starts. Please arrive on time or early.
Online registration only. No walk-ins will be allowed.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at [email protected]
