Course Descriptions

​Texas License to Carry Classes

​Don’t wait any longer. Get your License to Carry (LTC formerly referred to as CHL) today that will enable you to legally carry a handgun in Texas for your personal safety and protection. The Texas license to carry provides benefits and trespass protection that you don’t have when carrying without a license to carry. You are always better off carrying with a license in Texas plus having the Texas license to carry allows you to carry in 37 other states too! It’s so easy and cheap to get that everyone who wants to carry should have one. Get your Texas LTC and not have to worry about restrictions and trespass laws.

This is the class needed to obtain your license to carry a handgun (LTC) from the State of Texas, it will allow you to carry a handgun open or concealed. The State of Texas requires a minimum 4-hour class (not including range time) to obtain your Texas license to carry. The average total class time including classroom and range is 5 hours. RW Defense is certified by the State of Texas to teach this State required course.

The benefits of having a Texas LTC include:

Texas Concealed Handgun ID sample

Texas Concealed Handgun

The Texas concealed handgun license is also referred to as a Texas LTC, Texas CHL or Texas license to carry. Texas only issues one license so all of the names are referring to the same thing. Over the years the name of the license has changed several times so that’s why people call it various things. It has also become easy for anyone to get a Texas license to carry.

The course is held in comfortable classrooms and on a covered outdoor range. LTC Instructors are certified by the Texas Department of Public Safety, as well as NRA-certified pistol instructors and Range Safety Officers.

We now offer an online class through our affiliate TxDPS certified online course providers.  You can take the 4-hour class online from the comfort of your home and take the required shooting proficiency exam from us.  We make it easy for you to get your license.

The classroom knowledge portion of the course includes the following topics as outlined by the Texas Department of Public Safety:

The classroom knowledge portion of the course can be taken online from a qualified online course provider or in person from a qualified instructor, both of which must be certified by the Texas Department of Public Safety.  We offer an online class that is easy to follow and understand, and you are taken care of each step of the way.

Regardless, all new applicants must take and pass a handgun proficiency exam demonstrating the applicant’s ability to safely and proficiently use a handgun.  If the student has taken the classroom knowledge portion online, they must take range instruction of not less than 1 hour, nor more than 2 hours on the safe and proficient use of a handgun prior to taking the handgun proficiency demonstration exam.  The handgun proficiency exam must be taken in person within the State of Texas from a certified instructor.  

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This course DOES NOT teach you how to shoot. You must already know how to safely handle and accurately shoot a handgun before you take this course. We STRONGLY recommend that students take a Basic Pistol course if they have not handled or shot a handgun on a regular basis, or have had previous handgun training. 

Online Class

Includes: 4-5 hours of required learning material in the comfort of your own home with an affiliate partner as an alternative to the traditional classroom learning style where you can work at your own pace and schedule.

​You will then need to complete our LTC-101 Range Quals class on the range to complete the requirements to obtain your license.

In-person Class & Range Qualification

Includes: 4-5 hours of live classroom instruction with a written exam, plus 0.5 – 1 hour on the range to complete the handgun proficiency (Range Quals) exam.

Upon successful completion of this course option, you will receive an LTC-100 certificate for submittal with your license application to the Texas Department of Public Safety

Online Students Range Qualifications

Includes: 1.5 hours of live range instruction on:

​and the handgun proficiency test satisfying the requirement for demonstration of handgun proficiency for online students.

U.S. Law Shield is a firearms legal defense program organized pursuant to the applicable states in which membership is offered (ie. legal services company, prepaid legal insurance corporation, etc.) and provides attorneys in each covered state who are experienced in handling cases involving firearms, firearms law and self-defense. U.S. Law Shield evaluates these attorneys to ensure that they are just as passionate about our Second Amendment rights as members here at U.S. Law Shield.

Before Taking the Class, Watch these Videos

Students benefit greatly by reviewing the short video segments below prior to the class. I have found that the majority of students taking the LTC class lack much of the knowledge and skills covered in these videos and therefore struggle to pass the qualification course of fire on the range. This in turn causes the student to become very frustrated and anxious which often leads to unsafe practices and conditions.  The law requires that you must demonstrate proficiency in the safe use and operation of your weapon while accurately hitting the prescribed target. Whether you are a novice, intermediate or advanced level shooter, I urge you to review and study the videos. Doing so will help you better understand the course material and enable you to be successful and safe on the range.  

​Range Etiquette & Safety

The National Shooting Sports Foundation produced this excellent video introducing shooters to range etiquette and firearm safety that is congruent with how we operate at our range. This works at both indoor and outdoor ranges. Know the Safety rules.  They must be obeyed on the range at ALL times.  No exceptions.

Grip, Stance, Aiming, Trigger Control, Recoil Control, and Aim vs. Impact

​Fundamental Pistol Skills

Here is a great website from the NRA with many cool videos explaining and demonstrating the fundamentals necessary to develop your pistol marksmanship skills. Anyone who picks up a firearm will benefit greatly from watching these videos.  Most of these videos are less than 2 min. in length.

Critical Skills

A pistol is just a piece of mechanical hardware that can fail at any time.  Clint Smith of Thunder Ranch explains pistol malfunctions and how to clear them. It is critical that you know how to operate your weapon. Not being able to do so on the range will only cost you time. Not being able to do so in a gunfight can cost you your life.

(Use your computer, tablet, or smartphone)

Texas Constitutional Carry

Texas permitless carry allows certain people to carry a handgun without a license. It comes with its own set of rules and regulations that are not the same as those who have a Texas LTC.

If you plan to carry without a license, you need to know where you can and can’t carry and it’s NOT the same as those with an LTC. You will have different laws and requirements you have to follow.

There are a lot of differences in the laws that most people don’t even know about that could get you in trouble. This course has been created so that you could learn the laws and start carrying TODAY!

This online “permitless carry” course is only $39 that will teach you everything you need to know. You could start carrying TODAY after taking our 30 min course.

Online Permitless Carry Courses

This course was prepared by Texas DPS certified instructors who put this together in an easy 30 minute Texas permitless carry course to teach you everything you need to know to start carrying immediately without a license.

The course also includes the use of deadly force laws and the laws regarding protecting your property and protecting a person other than yourself.

To get your Texas concealed handgun license you can take the class online. The online LTC course is available 24/7 from the comfort of your own own. The course is easy and anyone can pass with ease. It is a self-paced course and your progress is saved. It has never been easier to get your license to carry. Texas makes it easy.

The online class is available to anyone in Texas, it does not matter what city you live in. You can take the online course anytime, anywhere, and on any device. It works on your smartphone too! This is the official course certified by the Texas Department of Public Safety. 

​$39 ONLINE PERMITLESS CARRY COURSE START CARRYING TODAY

​After taking our online $39 course you will feel confident in carrying without a license and it will keep you out of trouble too! After our online course, you will carry with confidence!

Click below to enroll and start carrying today!

Defensive Shotgun

Course Description: The shotgun is one of the most effective and versatile weapons available to the average private citizen or police officer. It is also the least understood and most under-utilized weapon system. Learn how to properly select, modify, feed and operate your defensive shotgun for optimum effectiveness. This intensive course will teach you efficient techniques for handling and shooting the shotgun under stressful conditions. The course is typically taught in a one-day (8-hour) format and includes topics such as:

Equipment: 150 rounds of lead birdshot, 50 rounds of buckshot, eye and ear protection, and rain gear (we train rain or shine). A cooler with soft drinks and snacks is a very good idea. You will need a pump or semi-auto shotgun capable of holding at least 5 rounds. We will have a couple of loaner shotguns that are properly set up for fighting. If you have any questions, please contact Richard Worthey via email at training@rwdefense.com.

​Food and Drink:
GTGC is a private membership range that does not have onsite food or drinks, nor any firearm supply store. Students are advised to always bring whatever food and drinks they might want on class day, including sufficient water to stay hydrated during the day. We will have drinking water available each day of the class. There is a local hamburger depot near the range, but delays can sometimes be expected which will cause class delays for everyone in the class.

Defensive Pistol

This course focuses on the development of the knowledge, skills, and attitude to carry and
use a concealed pistol ethically, responsibly, and with confidence.  It is a comprehensive and intensive approach to equip the student with the skillsets and tactics needed to survive serious adversity.

School Safety/Active Shooter Response

Response to Active Shooter & School Safety Certification

In 2013, the Texas Legislature passed SB 1857, entitled “The Texas School Safety Training Act.” This bill established a process by which current license to carry (LTC) instructors that take and pass an additional certification course conducted by the Texas Department of Public Safety, can provide a state certified training program for school districts and school employees who wish to have employees with LTCs carry handguns on campus as outlined in Texas Government Code §411.1901. This is also known as ‘The School Guardian Plan’ and offers more flexibility for school districts at a much less cost and liability than the ‘School Marshal Plan’.

Consider the fact that statistics derived from real active shooter events show for every minute of delay in responding to an active shooter, approximately 6 people will be shot. How long is the average response time before the active shooter is engaged by first responders? … 7 minutes

In rural Texas counties, law enforcement response times can be as much as 30 minutes or longer.  And that’s for the first law enforcement officer to arrive on scene.  For schools in remote parts of the state, the teachers, administrators and students ARE the first responders for their school.

​Do the math and you will see why school districts across the state are implementing similar strategies.​

​Topics Include:

​Length: 16 hours. (2 days)

Prerequisites: Texas License to Carry a Handgun

Required Equipment: Handgun, quality belt holster (Kydex or leather, must cover trigger guard, must be possible to reholster one-handed), 2 or more magazines, 300 rounds of handgun ammunition. Eye and ear protection.

Cost: $400

Students must:

Upon successful completion of the course, the participant will receive an LTC-97 Completion of School Safety Training certificate.  The instructor will also file an LTC-95 Class Completiong roster with the Texas Department of Public Safety that will become a part of their License to Carry records in accordance with Texas Government Code §411.1901.

Group of People having training for Marshal & Guardian

A Comparison Between the Two Plans:

School Guardian Plan

As determined by the Texas Attorney General in 2013, the legal authority for this plan is found primarily in Texas Penal Code §46.03(a)(1) in combination with a school board’s general authority to manage and oversee public schools under Texas Education Code §11.151(b) and 11.1511(b)(15).

The sole purpose is to stop an active shooter and protect students and faculty before law enforcement arrives. 

Requires:

School Marshal Plan

Authorized under Texas Education Code §37.0811. The sole purpose of a School Marshal is to prevent the act of murder or serious bodily injury on school premises, and act only as defined by the written regulations adopted by the School Board/Governing Body.

District employees who participate in the School Marshal Plan must already hold a license to carry. The marshal job will be an additional role that they take on.

Requires:

NRA Training Courses

Whether you’re new to handguns or just need some “brushing up”, the NRA Basic Pistol Class is for you.  The course is designed to show you all aspects of safe pistol usage and ownership.  Main topics will include essential gun safety rules, different types of pistols, and which one is best for you and your intended use, the basics of ammunition, the fundamentals of pistol shooting, proper gun cleaning and maintenance, and how to maintain your newly developed skills

NRA Basic Pistol Course

Start your pistol training off on the right foot and learn to shoot the correct and safe way from NRA Certified Instructors.

In today’s turbulent world it’s comforting to know that you are prepared to face any situation that may arise. Learning how to properly and safely shoot a pistol can be a part of that process.

Teaches the basic knowledge, skills, and attitude for owning and operating a pistol safely. This course is at least 8-hours long and includes classroom and range time learning to shoot revolvers and semi-automatic pistols. Students learn NRA’s rules for safe gun handling; pistol parts and operation; ammunition; shooting fundamentals; range rules; shooting from the bench rest position, and two-handed standing positions; cleaning the pistol; and continued opportunities for skill development. 

Lessons

Gun Safety Rules

NRA Rules for Safe Gun Handling:

It is also important to know your target and what is beyond.  You are responsible for every round that leaves the gun.

Student Materials

​Students Will Receive:

NRA Basic Rifle Course

Teaches the basic knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary for the safe use of a rifle in target shooting.  This course is at least 14 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 kneeling positions; cleaning, and continued opportunities for skill development. 

Lessons

Lessons Include:

Gun Safety Rules

NRA Rules for Safe Gun Handling:

It is also important to know your target and what is beyond.  You are responsible for every round that leaves the gun.

Student Materials

​Students Will Receive:

NRA Basic Shotgun Course

Teaches the basic knowledge, skills, and attitude for the safe and proper use of a shotgun in shooting a moving target. This course is at least ten hours long and includes classroom and range time learning how to shoot shotguns at moving targets. Students learn NRA’s rules for safe gun handling; shotgun parts and operation; shotgun shell components; shotgun shell malfunctions; shooting fundamentals; range rules; shooting at straight away and angled targets; cleaning; and continued opportunities for skill development. 

Lessons

Lessons Include:

Gun Safety Rules

NRA Rules for Safe Gun Handling:

It is also important to know your target and what is beyond.  You are responsible for every round that leaves the gun.

Student Materials

​Students Will Receive:

NRA Home Firearm Safety Course

A non-shooting course that teaches students the basic knowledge, skills, and explains the attitude necessary for the safe handling and storage of firearms and ammunition in the home. This is a four-hour course for safe gun handling that is conducted in the classroom only. Students are taught NRA’s three rules for safe gun handling; primary causes of firearms accidents; firearm parts; how to unload certain action types; ammunition components; cleaning; care; safe storage of firearms in the home; and the benefits of becoming an active participant in the shooting sports.   This course can be taught anywhere, at home, church groups, schools, civic groups or similar suitable venues.

Child being taught by professional on firearm safety

The NRA Home Firearm Safety Course is the basic course is recommended to anyone unfamiliar with guns or who needs to learn gun terminology. Children, parents, family members and the general public.

Lessons

Lessons Include:

Gun Safety Rules

NRA Rules for Safe Gun Handling:

It is also important to know your target and what is beyond.  You are responsible for every round that leaves the gun.

Student Materials

​Students Will Receive:

NRA Personal Protection Inside the Home Course

Who Can Take the NRA Basic Personal Protection in the Home Course?
NRA’s Basic Personal Protection in the Home course is for law-abiding adult citizens, as defined by applicable federal, state, or local law. It is much more than just a routine shooting course. It is important that participants have sufficient maturity and life experiences to be able to assess various situations and make mature decisions.

The NRA Basic Personal Protection series is based on the building block approach, moving from the simple to the complex. The first course in the series is the NRA Basic Pistol Course, which develops the basic skills of handling, shooting, and cleaning the firearm. The second course is NRA Basic Personal Protection in the Home Course, which builds on the skills already learned in the Basic Pistol Course.  Participants must be experienced shooters (shooters able to show mastery of the basic skills of safe gun handling, shooting a group, zeroing the firearm, and cleaning the firearm) to maximize what can be learned from this course.

Proof of shooting experience can be one of the following:
NRA Basic Pistol Course Certificate, NRA First Steps Course Certificate, NRA pistol competitive shooting qualification card, Military DD 214 with pistol qualification, or passing a pre-course assessment

Course Description:
This course 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 provides information on the law-abiding individual’s right to self-defense.  This is an eight-hour course. Students should expect to shoot approximately 100 rounds of ammunition.

Lessons

Lessons Include:

Gun Safety Rules

NRA Rules for Safe Gun Handling:

It is also important to know your target and what is beyond.  You are responsible for every round that leaves the gun.

Student Materials

​Students Will Receive:

NRA Personal Protection Outside the Home Course

A comprehensive and intensive in its approach to equip the defensive shooting candidate with the skills needed to survive serious adversity.  The course teaches students the knowledge, skills and attitude essential for avoiding dangerous confrontations and for the safe, effective and responsible use of a concealed pistol for self-defense outside the home. Students have the opportunity to attend this course using a quality strong side hip holster that covers the trigger, or a holster purse. From a review of safe firearms handling and proper mindset to presentation from concealment and multiple shooting positions, this course contains the essential skills and techniques needed to prevail in a life-threatening situation.

The NRA Personal Protection Outside the Home is divided into two levels (basic and advanced). Level one is a nine-hour course and offers the essential knowledge and skills that must be mastered in order to carry, store, and use a firearm safely and effectively for personal protection outside the home. Upon completion of level one, students may choose to attend level two, which is an additional five hours of range training and teaches advanced shooting skills. After the classroom portion, students should expect to spend several hours on the range and shoot approximately 100 rounds of ammunition during level one. Level two involves five additional hours on the range and approximately 115 rounds of ammunition. The ammunition requirements are minimum and may be exceeded. 

Woman looking to her left pulling a gun out of her purse

​The NRA Basics of Personal Protection Outside The Home is for adult individuals who are not disqualified from possessing a firearm as defined by applicable federal, state, or local law and are of good repute and possess defensive pistol skills presented in the NRA Basics of Personal Protection In The Home Course. Participants must also understand the basic legal concepts relating to the use of firearms in self-defense and must know and observe not only general gun safety rules, but also those safety principles that are specific to defensive situations. Prospective participants can demonstrate that they have the requisite knowledge, skills, and attitudes by producing an NRA Basic Personal Protection In The Home Course Certificate, or by passing the pre-course evaluation.

Gun Safety Rules

NRA Rules for Safe Gun Handling:

It is also important to know your target and what is beyond.  You are responsible for every round that leaves the gun.

Student Materials

​Students Receive:

Man pulling gun out of its holster

NRA CCW (Concealed Carry Weapon)

A comprehensive and intensive in its approach to equip the defensive shooting candidate with the skills needed to survive serious adversity.  The course teaches students the knowledge, skills and attitude essential for avoiding dangerous confrontations and for the safe, effective and responsible use of a concealed pistol for self-defense outside the home. Students have the opportunity to attend this course using a quality strong side hip holster that covers the trigger.  From a review of safe firearms handling and proper mindset to presentation from concealment, this course contains the essential skills and techniques needed to prevail in a life-threatening situation. 

The NRA CCW Course is intended for all individuals regardless of previous shooting experience or NRA affiliation. This instructor-led only course gives you direct instruction from an NRA-certified instructor from beginning to end and may be conducted in a classroom and on a shooting range with an Instructor.

This course may be completed in a single-day format or over several days with smaller blocks of instruction. 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, and Sport Shooting and Training Activities. Course length is determined by the Instructor, to meet your State’s requirements for a CCW permit. Additionally, students may complete live fire training and a nationally standardized shooting qualification while on the range with an NRA Certified Instructor.

Gun Safety Rules

NRA Rules for Safe Gun Handling:

It is also important to know your target and what is beyond.  You are responsible for every round that leaves the gun.

Student Materials

​Students Will Receive:

NRA Refuse to Be A Victim

Experts agree that the single most important step toward ensuring your personal safety is making the decision to refuse to be a victim. That means that you must have an overall personal safety strategy in place before you need it. Through this four-hour seminar (shorter presentations are available) called Refuse To Be A Victim®, you can learn the personal safety tips and techniques you need to avoid dangerous situations and avoid becoming a victim.  Hundreds of federal, state, and local law enforcement officials across the country have implemented Refuse To Be A Victim® into their crime prevention and community policing initiatives.

Refuse to be a Victim image

Students will receive a student packet that consists of: Refuse To Be A Victim® Student’s Handbook, Refuse To Be A Victim® Student’s Handbook Firearm Supplement, Refuse To Be A Victim® Program Brochure, Become A Refuse To Be A Victim® Instructor Brochure and Refuse To Be A Victim® Seminar Completion Certificate.

​Students Will Receive:

This is a great course that can be held anywhere and is suitable for all ages, children, teenagers, college students, adults, and senior citizens.  This is a non-firearm, non-shooting course.

A beautiful red & black electroshock gun

NRA Pistol Marksman Simulator Course

This course teaches basic marksmanship fundamentals and firearm safety using a simulated pistol with a resetting trigger and laser to indicate where the shots hit.  No range is needed with this simulator training course. It can be held anywhere; home, office, a meeting room in a hotel, business boardroom, or in a church hall. With very little equipment, the NRA Pistol Marksmanship Simulator Training Course teaches the fundamentals of sight alignment, trigger control, grip, and breath control. 

At the completion of the course, an NRA participation certificate is awarded. Students may attend this course as a basis to decide whether or not they would like to follow up by taking the full-length Basic Pistol Course with live fire, or simply learn to improve their marksmanship skills. There are no pre-requisites for taking this course.  Inquire now to schedule a course.

Lessons

Lessons Include:

Gun Safety Rules

NRA Rules for Safe Gun Handling:

It is also important to know your target and what is beyond.  You are responsible for every round that leaves the gun.

Student Materials

Students Will Receive:

NRA Range Safety Officer Courses

Ranger Safety Officer NRA Logo color yellow

Become a Range Safety Officer

To become an NRA Range Safety Officer, you must pass the RSO course and demonstrate that you possess the knowledge, skills, and attitude essential to organizing, conducting, and supervising safe shooting activities and range operations.

The RSO course content consists of RSO’s roles and responsibilities, range standard operating procedures, range inspection and range rules, firearm stoppages and malfunctions, and Range Safety Briefings which include procedures to follow in the case of an emergency.

Chief Ranger Safety Officer NRA Logo

Become a Chief Range Safety Officer

Certified RSOs looking to become a Chief RSO must take a course put on by an NRA Training Counselor who also holds the Chief RSO certification. This 14-hour course is presented in two parts: Basic Instructor Training and NRA Chief Range Safety Officer training. Sessions include standard operating procedures, inspections, emergency procedures, firearm stoppages and malfunctions, safety briefings. Students must demonstrate organizational and teaching skills via participation in practical exercises and complete an open book exam. Once the course is completed the RSO will be upgraded to an NRA Chief Range Safety Officer.

NRA Instructor Courses

NRA Instructor Logo

Instructor Courses

An instructor teaching two men holding guns

Become An Instructor

NRA Certified Instructors provide an invaluable service in their communities by training hundreds of thousands of individuals annually. As more Americans choose to exercise their right to own a firearm, so too grows the need for highly qualified instructors.

Knowing how to shoot is an important requirement for NRA instructors, but you will also need to know how to teach others to shoot. NRA Instructor Training Courses help you develop the additional knowledge, skills and techniques needed to organize and teach courses in the NRA Basic Firearm Training Program.

To qualify as an NRA Instructor:

Candidates must have completed the basic course in the discipline they wish to be certified to teach, e.g. NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting (Instructor Led Only), NRA Basic Rifle Shooting, etc.

Candidates must possess and demonstrate a solid background in firearm safety and shooting skills acquired through previous firearm training and/or previous shooting experience. Instructor candidates must be intimately familiar with each action type in the discipline for which they wish to be certified.

Candidates will be required to demonstrate solid and safe firearm handling skills required to be successful during an instructor training course by completing pre-course questionnaires and qualification exercises administered by the NRA Certified Training Counselor.

Candidates must satisfactorily complete an NRA Instructor Training Course in the discipline they wish to teach (e.g., NRA Basic Pistol Course), and receive the endorsement of the NRA Training Counselor conducting that training.

NRA Instructor courses are discipline-specific. 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, building a budget; and finally preparing to teach. In addition, candidates will be provided the appropriate lesson plans and basic course student packets. Role-playing is a major part of an instructor course; therefore, the minimum class size should be at least four candidates, with 10-12 candidates being ideal. Candidates take turns working in teams, actually conducting portions of the course to other candidates who portray basic students.​

Instructor training courses are conducted by NRA Training Counselor, Walt Haley. He will evaluate candidates’ performance based on their ability to handle the firearms with confidence, use of appropriate training aids, following the lesson plans and meeting 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 evaluate and improve the performance of beginning shooters.