Firing Range

National Rifle Association Courses (NRA)

The NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting is intended for all individuals regardless of previous shooting experience.

Course topics include:

gun safety rules
proper operation of revolvers and semi-automatic pistols
ammunition knowledge and selection
pistol selection, and storage
shooting fundamentals
pistol inspection and maintenance
marksmanship
shooting range safety

Additionally, students will complete live fire training and a nationally standardized shooting qualification while on the range with a NRA Certified Instructor. Students will receive the NRA Guide: Basics of Pistol Shooting handbook, take a Basics of Pistol Shooting Student Examination, and receive a course completion certificate.

Prerequisites: None. Firearms and ammo can be provided for a fee.

NRA Training Counselor Ken DiStefano
June 08 
October 12
0900-1700
$225

Course Goal: Teaches the basic knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to carry a concealed pistol for personal defense. The NRA CCW Course is intended for all individuals regardless of previous shooting experience or NRA affiliation. This course gives you direct instruction from an NRA-certified instructor and is conducted in a classroom and on a shooting range.

Course topics include:

Firearm Safety (Mandatory)
Pistol Nomenclature and Selecting a Pistol for Self-Defense
Basic Defensive Pistol Skills
Drawing from Concealment
Loading and Stoppage Remediation
Mindset
Carry Modes and Pistol Concealment
Firearm Cleaning
Sport Shooting & Training Activities

Course length is determined by the Instructor, to meet your State’s requirements for a CCW permit. Additionally, students will complete live fire training and a nationally standardized shooting qualification. Students will receive reference books, take an NRA CCW Student Examination and receive a course completion certificate.

Prerequisites – Basic Pistol training

Equipment needed: Firearm you intend to carry
An out-of-a-waistband (OWB) secure holster - no clips, straps, etc.
2 mag pouch
250 rounds of ammunition.

Develops NRA Certified Range Safety Officers with the knowledge, skills, and attitude essential to organizing, conducting, and supervising safe shooting activities and range operations.

The RSO course content consists of:

  • RSRSO's roles and responsibilities
  • range standard operating procedures
  • range inspection and range rules
  • firearm stoppages and malfunctions
  • Range Safety Briefings which include procedures to follow in the case of an emergency.

RSOs who have successfully completed the course then have the ability to become Chief Range Safety Officer, someone essential to training and supervising NRA Range Safety Officers and developing range standard operating procedures.

This course is nine hours long and is conducted in a classroom and at a shooting facility. Each Range Safety Officer Candidate will receive an RSO Student Study Guide, a Basic Firearm Training Program brochure, an NRA Gun Safety Rules brochure, and a Course Evaluation form.

NRA Training Counselor Ken DiStefano
February 03 & February 04
July 13 & July 14
November 09 & November 10
0900-1600
$370

Instructor Training consists of 3 classes:

1. NRA Basic Pistol - Instructor Led training during this class you will attempt to qualify.
2. Basic Instructor Training (BIT)
3. Discipline training - ( a minimum of 4 people are required for this class)

Qualification is completed prior to #2 and #3. BIT and Discipline are usually given on a weekend.

NRA Instructor courses are discipline-specific (pistol, rifle, shotgun, etc.). During the course, candidates will learn NRA policies and procedures; basic public speaking skills; training methodology; use of a training team and training aids; organizing a course and finally preparing to teach. In addition, candidates will be provided with the appropriate lesson plans and basic course student packets. Role-playing is a major part of an instructor's course; therefore, the minimum class size should be at least four candidates. Candidates take turns presenting portions of the course to other candidates who portray students.


Instructor training courses are conducted by NRA Training Counselors. Training Counselors are active and experienced instructors who have been certified by NRA to train. Training Counselors will evaluate candidates' performance based on their ability to handle the firearms with confidence, use appropriate training aids, follow the lesson plans, and meet all learning objectives while utilizing the teaching philosophies expected of NRA Certified Instructors. Candidates can also expect to learn the NRA discipline-specific instructional methods and evaluating and improve the performance of beginning shooters.

This seminar teaches strategies people can integrate into their everyday lives to avoid becoming a victim of crime.


The duration is about 3 hours. It could be longer depending on the number of participants. This is not a firearms instruction course and does not include instruction in physical combat self-defense. Seminars teach common weaknesses that criminals may take advantage of, and a variety of corrective measures that are practical, inexpensive, and easy to follow.

The seminar includes classroom instruction on criminal psychology, automobile crimes; cyber safety, home security, and a variety of crime prevention strategies including carjack avoidance techniques, use of personal safety devices, and more. Students receive the Refuse To Be A Victim® student handbook, NRA Refuse To Be A Victim® brochure, a Refuse To Be A Victim® Firearms Supplement, and a course completion certificate.

NRA Training Counselor Ken DiStefano
January 27 & January 28 | 2023
April 13 & April 14 | 2024
August 18 & August 18 | 2024
Times: 0900-1600
Fee: $370

This 16-hour course teaches the knowledge, skills, and attitude essential to organizing, promoting, and teaching NRA’s Basic Rifle Shooting course.

Prerequisite: Possession of basic firearm safety and shooting skills is a prerequisite for certification as an NRA instructor. Candidate must have completed the NRA Basic Rifle class.

During this class, the candidates must qualify at 50 yards, shooting sitting, prone, and standing.
Description: The course has 2 days of training: Day 1 is Basic Instructor Training (BIT), and Day 2 is discipline-specific instructor training. Students demonstrate organizational and teaching skills via participation in practical exercises during the course and complete an instructor certification examination. Rifle instructor certification is completed online.

Date: January 20, 2024
Time: 0900-1700
Fee: $225

This class teaches the basic knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary for the safe use of a rifle in target shooting.

The class is about 7 hours long and includes classroom and range time learning to shoot rifles. Students learn NRA’s rules for safe gun handling; rifle parts and operation; ammunition; shooting fundamentals; range rules; shooting from the bench rest, prone, sitting, standing, and (if interested) kneeling positions.

Cleaning a rifle is demonstrated and continued opportunities for skill development are reviewed. Students will receive the Basics of Rifle Shooting handbook, the NRA Marksmanship Qualification booklet, take a Basics of Rifle Shooting Student Examination, and receive a course completion certificate.

NRA Training Counselor Ken DiStefano
March 09
May 18
September 14
0900-1700
$250

This class teaches the basic knowledge, skills, and attitude essential to the safe and efficient use of a handgun for the protection of self and family, and to provide information on the law-abiding individual’s right to self-defense.

Prerequisite: This course is for law-abiding adult citizens, as defined by applicable federal, state, or local law. The students need to have taken the NRA Basic Pistol Course or equivalent (e.g., NRA pistol competitive shooting qualification card, military DD 214 with pistol qualification). Students need to have mastery of the basic skills of safe gun handling, shooting a group, zeroing the firearm, and cleaning the firearm.

Students should expect to shoot approximately 100 rounds of ammunition. Students will learn basic defensive shooting skills, strategies for home safety and responding to a violent confrontation, firearms, and the law, how to choose a handgun for self-defense, and continued opportunities for skill development. Students will receive the NRA Guide to the Basics of Personal Protection In The Home handbook, the NRA Marksmanship Qualification booklet, and a course completion certificate.

CLASS IS FULL!

Date(s): January 13 | January 21
Time(s): 0900-1600
Fee: $300
Instructor: David McConnon

7 hours of instruction and qualification.

Class includes PowerPoint, Use of Force, Dry Fire Practice, Live Fire Drills that covers holster draw, magazine reloads, one-handed shooting, and personal defense shooting, followed by a better-than-NJ CCARE Protocol Qualification.

All qualification paperwork for the initial application for your NJ CCW / PTC / CCARE.

 

Prerequisites for this class are: NJ Firearms ID Card, Weapon Registered in your name, 100 rounds of ammunition, (2) Magazines, and Blackhawk CQC Holster, (if they make it for your weapon).

The Firing Range at The Public Safety Training Academy is open for gun owners and law enforcement. The range offers better air quality and the use of a wider range of firearms.   

Open Range

Public Range
Hours of Operation:

10 AM-4 PM

Saturdays on Dates Below:

January 27
February 24
March 09
April 13
May 18
June 8
July 13
August 17
September 14
October 12
November 09

 

Fee: $45 per lane, per hour
We accept checks, money orders, debit cards, and major credit cards. 
Make checks payable to: Sussex County Community College

Checklist of items to bring

  • firearms ID card
  • your own weapon and ammo
  • drivers license
  • hearing & eye protection
  • targets 

Retired Law Enforcement Qualification

By Appointment Only
Please email or call:
PSTA Range Master Lou Takacs
(973) 670-5906
ltakacs@sussex.edu

Fee: $35
Make checks payable to: Sussex County Community College

New Jersey CCW Permit

By Appointment Only
Please email or Call:
PSTA Range Master Lou Takacs
(973) 670-5906
ltakacs@sussex.edu

Fee: $125 for first weapon
$25 for additional weapon max of 3 weapons

Make checks payable to: Sussex County Community College