Craig (D. Cragin) Shelton

Are you new to shooting handguns? Or has it been years since you used a handgun and would like refresher training? Do you want to buy your first handgun, and want help on deciding what to buy? Do you have a new handgun and want to learn the basics of safe handling and use? If you answer YES to any of those questions, this personal one-on-one NRA introductory course is for you. We will cover safe handling and use, ammunition, care of the handgun, and practice basic shooting on the range with YOUR gun. If you do not, yet, have your own gun, you will be able to use a gun provided by the instructor (small added fee). This course can cover use of a revolver or a semi-automatic pistol, customized for your interests.
Contact me to plan time and place for the your class and exactly what gun you want to use.

Arkansas is one of 22+ states that do not require a license or permit to carry a firearm, commonly called permitless carry or Constitutional Carry ("The 2nd Amendment is my permit!"). Should I do this? Why would I get a Concealed Handgun Carry License (CHCL) anyway? What happens when I leave Arkansas? What if I am visiting in Arkansas? This class will give you answers and tools to make informed decisions on handgun carry. This class is designed for your group to host for your members, and can be adjusted from a quick 45 minutes to an in depth 2 hours of discussion.Contact Craig to discuss a group rate.

Give your group's members advanced knowledge on how self-defense law really works, potentially saving members from tremendous legal and financial problems. The class presents information applicable in all states, the USCCA course "The Legal Use of Force," then adds Arkansas-specific content. The class includes information from additional authoritative sources, and specific information on self defense law in Arkansas. When you survive a self defense encounter, legal issues will start immediately, and may continue for days, months, or years. Costs can be very high, both financially and emotionally. Knowing how self defense law works ahead of time can get you ready to make key decisions from the beginning, and how to deal with police, investigators, and lawyers to navigate the process. Your instructor is Craig Shelton, graduate of the Law of Self Defense Instructor Program, and an NRA, USCCA, and Ark State Police CHCL Instructor (#21-1519). The presentation can be adjusted to meet your needs from a quick 1 hour to in-depth discussion of up to 2 1/2 hours. Registered attendees will have an opportunity to purchase the USCCA book "Should I Shoot?" (list price $30) at a discount. . Contact Craig to discuss hosting the presentation at your location, group presentation cost, and availability of the "Should I Shoot?" book.

Learn firearms safety and handling, along with basics of self defense firearms, fundamentals of defensive shooting, and information to help choose additional gear. This is a classroom-only course, but includes simulated fire using laser pistol.

Learn how to develop a personal and home protection plan, basics of self defense firearms, considerations for selecting a home defense firearm and associated gear, and fundamentals of defensive shooting.. Course includes a discussion on the legal use of force and the aftermath of violent encounters. This is a classroom-only course, but has an option for simulated fire with laser pistol.

A certified USCCA Instructor prepares you for and administers the prescribed stages of range drills for either Level 1 or Level 2 of USCCA Protecttor academy. There will be no instruction or coaching during the qualification stages, but the student may request instruction either before or after performing the stages as part of the hour of instructor time. Course fee includes 1 hour of instructor time plus $30 range fee. (to save on range fees, sign up for the 2 hour version of this class.) Contact the instructor to schedule private or semi-private lesson if current scheduled classes are not convenient.

Level 1 qualification stages are untimed. Level 2 qualification stages are timed. The instructor provides a range timer.

Craig Shelton brings to your professional society chapter or civic organization meeting programs that are timely, interesting, informative, and useful for your members. Craig's talks are adjusted to your meeting time requirements, from 30 to 60 minutes, and work with or without available slide presentations. Craig is an experienced speaker, with decades of presentations in university classrooms, professional society meetings, conferences, and online webinars. Samples of speaking style are avalable on this Rumble channel or YouTube playlist of presentations. Although the topics there are not among those currently offered here for community organizations, you can see Craig in front of an audience. Some topics involve legal aspects. Craig is not a lawyer but has completed advanced training on the subject from nationally recognized expert witnesses, law enforcement officers, and lawyers. Many topics include content developed by nationally recognized training organization USCCA. Choose among several topics related to safety, firearms, and legal aspects of self defense.

Legal aspects of self defense in Arkansas. Carrying a handgun: Constutional Carry or Licensed in Arkansas? Safety for real estate agents. Safety and Awareness in Public. You defended yourself when attacked. What happens now? Planning ahead to defend your home.

Course fee includes 2 hours of instructor time on the range plus $30 range fee. A certified USCCA Instructor prepares you for and administers the prescribed stages of range drills for Level 3 of USCCA Protector academy. Three sessions of this course meets the 6-hour live fire training requirement for taking the Level 3 range qualification. During a fourth session the instructor will conduct the qualification stages. The session includes practice with coaching for the drills, but there will be no instruction or coaching during the actual qualification stages. The student may request instruction either before or after performing the stages as part of the instructor time.

If you have already completed the 6 hours of live fire training with another instructor, I will conduct the qualification stages in our first session.

Complete instructions for the qualification stages are at Qualification Level 3: Range Requirements

Contact the instructor to schedule this class at a more convenient time.

Required: Completion evidence for the online courses of USCCA Protector Academy Qualifications: Emergency Preparedness Fundamentals Countering the Mass Shooter Threat USCCA LaserTRAIN

If you are ready to complete the range qualification stages, completion certificates indicating six hours of in-person live fire range training by a certified instructor. This training does not need to be from DCS Trains. The USCCA requirements states, "Take a live-fire, six-hour firearms course with a certified firearms instructor." Therefore, the class must be from a single instructor or school, allowing progression in developing the requisite skills at this advanced level. The class can be a single 6 hour session or a series of separate sessions Successful completion of a USCCA Defensive Shooting Fundamentals Level 1 course meets this requirement, but is not required.

Arkansas is one of 25 states that do not require a license or permit to carry a firearm, commonly called permitless carry or Constitutional Carry ("The 2nd Amendment is my permit!"). Should I do this? Why would I get a Concealed Handgun Carry License (CHCL) anyway? What happens when I leave Arkansas? What if I am visiting in Arkansas? This class will give you answers and tools to make informed decisions on handgun carry. This class is designed for presentation and group discussion online from a quick 30 minutes. Follow-n meeting will be set up if needed. Web Link will be sent to students.

How self-defense law really works, potentially saving you from tremendous legal and financial problems. The class presents information applicable in all states, the USCCA course "The Legal Use of Force," and adds Arkansas-specific content. The class includes information from additional authoritative sources, and specific information on self defense law in Arkansas. When you survive a self defense encounter, legal issues will start immediately, and may continue for days, months, or years. Costs can be very high, both financially and emotionally. Knowing how self defense law works ahead of time can get you ready to make key decisions from the beginning, and how to deal with police, investigators, and lawyers to navigate the process. The online Zoom presentation starts at half hour, with 10 minutes for discussion. If needed, we will launch an immediate follow-on Zoom to continue the discussion.

Your instructor is Craig Shelton, graduate of the Law of Self Defense Instructor Program, and a Rangemaster, NRA, USCCA, and Ark State Police CHCL Instructor (#21-1519).

Course fee includes 1+ hour of instructor time plus range fee. Instruction incorporates the marksmanship simplified objective-based training pioneered by George Harris at Sig Sauer Academy. An hour at the range with an experienced instructor who can coach you to improve your handgun skills. You and the instructor will select drills, stages, targets, and distances based on your current skill level and your goals for improvement.

This is a great way to get on the range and improve your skills after a basic handgun course, when returning to shooting after a hiatus, or when considering purchase of a new handgun.

While this is not a formal NRA course, you can use it to complete levels from Pro-Marksman through Distinguished Expert in the NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program (MQP).

Options for drills include Ark. Enhanced CHCL Live Fire qualification USCCA Qualification Level 1: Range Requirements USCCA Qualification Level 2: Range Requirements NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting qualifications NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program (MQP) Pistol Qualification levels Custom targets and drills suggested by the instructor.

Sorry, but holster draw is not allowed at the indoor range at Arkansas Armory

This course is limited to two students in a class.

Two one hour sessions of this class meets the Step 1 in-person training requirement for USCCA Protector Academy Qualification Level 1

Four one hour sessions of this class meets the Step 1 in-person training requirement for USCCA Protector Academy.

What we cover: Basic handgun safety rules Safety rules on the range. Fundamentals of handgun shooting: Grip Sights (sight alignment & sight picture) Trigger press

Presentation from a ready position.

Optional: target scoring.

Students will have the option to purchase supplementing books supporting the instruction.

Review of basic firearms and range safety, using inert training guns for hands on practice of basic safety principles.

A relaxed introduction to firearms for those considering a firearm for home defense, self defense, or range practice. We cover essential firearm safety practices, an understanding of different types of handguns and long guns, and what to consider when deciding on what gun to buy.

An introduction to handguns and ammunition types, this course is perfect for anyone who has never handled a handgun, as well as those who are familiar with only one type or model. Firearm safety is core to the course, and a valuable refresh for even experienced shooters.

The class is a US Concealed Carry Association short course in the Concealed Carry & Home Defense Fundamentals series, supplemented with valuable information from several national level instructors. A classroom or online only course, there is no live fire of any guns. The students will handle no actual ammunition. Students will handle non-firing replica training guns to practice proper safe handling and grip, and may handle actual working firearms, but, with no ammunition. The course covers information that will help students decide on future handgun purchases. The class is available as private instruction for one to four students. Contact the instructor to schedule. TOPICS COVERED Firearm safety. Revolver types. Semi-automatic pistol types. Ammunition options. Other gear. Safe storage. Shooting fundamentals. Legal issues. The student will have learned the basics of safe handgun ownership and use, and practice essential handling skills. The student will also be aware of legal issues that will affect when and where to have and use a handgun. An important result will be the confidence to go to a gun shop and work with both gunshop staff and "helpful" by-standers while considering selection of a specific gun to test fire or to buy. Students will receive an certificate of completion of a USCCA course

Basic understanding of laws you should understand on self defense, with USCCA content supplemented with additional content from other national programs and specific Arkansas law.

Designed for the beginning shooter, this basics of safety and range shooting dives right into learning how to work best with your gun. Can be a nice fresh look class for experienced beginner and intermediate shooters, too. The class begins with classroom work on basic firearms safety, types of handguns, types of ammunition, and considerations on choosing a handgun. The student will handle non-firing plastic handgun replicas to experience safe handling procedures. We next move to dry fire (no live ammunition) with working handgun to get the basics of grip, sights, and trigger. With that grounding we move to the range for several developmental drills of live fire. The initial classroom work covers the same content as my Firearms Basics course, so graduates of that class will dive right into dry fire after a safety review. Contact the instructor to arrange for use of our gun and ammunition for added fee.

Fundamentals of awreness of situation, possible threats and risks in home and public situations.

Experience firearms safety and handling, along with basics of self defense firearms, fundamentals of defensive shooting, with basics of grip, sights, and trigger. Practice both precision and defensive marksmanship.

After classroom instruction on safety and equipment, this class takes the student to the range to work on basics of muzzle and trigger control, grip, stance & balance, and sight picture of sights on target.