New Shooter Training
All New Shooter courses teach the safe handling and use of firearms. Additionally, courses cover the legal issues surrounding firearm ownership and use, including laws governing carrying firearms and using them for self-defense.
Your course registration fee includes use of the firearms, ammunition, targets, eye protection, and hearing protection. All you need to do is register and show up ready to learn!
A "New Shooter" course, or proof of prior formal training, is required prior to taking Intermediate / Group Training.
Lesson Options (click to see description)
This course is specifically designed to teach safe handling and use of firearms to children who have little or no prior exposure with firearms. The registration cost allows up to two children to attend the training. Parents / Guardians are encouraged to attend and audit the instruction, but will not be involved in the live-fire exercises. Additional students (children) can be added to the lesson at the cost of $125.00 each.
This course gives an overview in the use of revolvers, semi-auto pistols, bolt action rifles, and semi-automatic rifles. The course is approximately 3 hours in length. Unlike our courses for adults, this class will not discuss use of force law, carry law, hunting laws, or self-defense topics. This class deals with safety, mechanics, and handling.
The course content includes:
- Loading / Unloading / Weapon safety
- Fundamentals of shooting
- Use of revolvers
- Use of semi-auto pistols
- Use of bolt-action rifles
- Use of semi-auto rifles
- Live fire exercises on the range
All firearms and ammunition in .22 LR will be provided during the lesson.
Your child is welcome to bring a family-owned firearm to the class. However, you must provide ammunition for that firearm and are responsible for ensuring that it is in proper working order. Sparrow Defense is not responsible for the condition of your firearm or any failures or injury that results from its use.
The initial course booking cost includes training for up to two students at the initial registration price. Additional students may be added to the lesson for $125.00 per student (payable at class).
This is a 3+ hour block of instruction for individuals or private groups. This course can be booked for an individual, or for groups of up to four total students. This is the ideal option for those who wish to train alone or have a group of family / friends / colleagues who wish to train together.
This course is designed to provide the students with a solid grasp of firearm safety and usage. Topics discussed include:
- Confirmation of student goals and expectations
- Georgia law on weapons carry and self-defense
- Parts and maintenance of pistols
- Fundamentals of shooting
- Communicating with law enforcement
- Live fire exercises on the range
Students will shoot revolvers, semi-automatic pistols, and pistols equipped with miniaturized pistol optics. This will provide an overview of most popular pistol types on the market.
The lesson cost includes the use of all firearms and ammunition in .22 long rifle. Students are responsible for any range fees and the cost of ammunition in higher calibers (above .22LR).
Students with personally-owned firearms are encouraged to use that gun during training, but are responsible for providing appropriate ammunition for their personal firearm. Likewise, as time allows, students may use the rental guns owned by the Athens Gun Club as time allows, but are responsible for providing ammunition for the range guns.
The registration cost of this course is for a single student. Please select this option if you will be attending by yourself and do not mind training with others.
This is a 3+ hour block of open-enrollment instruction for individuals who do not mind attending training with like-minded strangers. The course is limited to 3 students to ensure that each shooter receives the attention and training that he or she deserves. The course will proceed even if only one student is enrolled in the class.
This course is designed to provide the students with a solid grasp of firearm safety and usage. Topics discussed include:
- Confirmation of student goals and expectations
- Georgia law on weapons carry and self-defense
- Parts and maintenance of pistols
- Fundamentals of shooting
- Communicating with law enforcement
- Live fire exercises on the range
The lesson cost includes the use of all firearms and ammunition in .22 long rifle. Students are responsible for any range fees (if not members).
Students are welcome to bring personally-owned firearms to the training. You will need to provide your own ammunition for personally-owned firearms. We ask that you limit yourself to a single personally-owned firearm if you are attending a small group training so that all students receive adequate attention during the lesson.
The initial enrollment cost allows you to attend the training alone or bring another person at no additional cost. For groups larger than two, additional students may be added to the lesson for $150.00 per student.
This course gives an overview in the use of pistols, rifles, and shotguns. The course is approximately 3.5 hours in length and provides the student with an overview of the most popular defensive firearms on the market. It is age appropriate for adults and children who demonstrate the necessary maturity to handle firearms.
The course content includes:
- Georgia carry and self-defense law
- Communicating with law enforcement and first responders
- Loading / Unloading / Weapon safety
- Fundamentals of shooting
- Use of Revolvers and Semi-Auto pistols
- Use of Semi-Auto rifles
- Use of Pump Shotguns
- Live fire exercises on the range
Pistols chambered in .22 caliber will be provided, along with ammunition. The AR-style rifle will also be chambered in .22 caliber for the purpose of teaching the mechanics of use. The shotgun used will be a 12-gauge loaded with reduced recoil 00 buckshot.
Students who already own firearms may bring them with you for use during the lesson. You will need to provide your own ammunition for your personal firearms.