Sparrow Firearms Training, LLC is pleased to announce that our Chief Instructor, Chris "Sparrow" Sperling has been approved by El Paso County (VI24-008) as a Colorado "Verified Firearm Instructor - CHP".
In 2024, the Colorado Legislature passed HB2024-1174 which drastically changed the requirements in Colorado for obtaining a Concealed Handgun Permit. The new requirements include changes to the training requirements, as well as which instructors are approved, or "verified" to teach the new requirements.
COMING SOON
A PASSION FOR TEACHING FIREARMS SAFETY
Chief Instructor Chris "Sparrow" is a lifelong hunter and shooting sports enthusiast with over 30 years of firearms experience.
Chris grew up hunting small game, upland birds & waterfowl, learning many valuable lessons in shotgunning & wing shooting in some of the most pristine habitats of the Pacific Flyway, mountains and high deserts.
Self-defense through martial arts and pistol became a passion throughout his young adult life due in part to several conflicts, including surviving a gang attack. Continually desiring to improve his training and passion for self-defense, Chris trained regularly with close friends in various law enforcement and military entities.
Moving to the great state of Colorado in 2007, Chris continued his prior tradition of taking new friends, co-workers, and first time shooters to the range; oftentimes playing the role of Range Safety Officer and Instructor. His devotion to sharing the joy of our second amendment, firearms safety and self-defense grew immensely the more he shared. Chris's desire to formalize his instructor certifications came to fruition as his daughters came of age, and it became apparent that there was no one better suited to train them for their Colorado Concealed Handgun Permit than himself. Upon becoming a certified NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting Instructor, Chris dedicated himself to continued training with various NRA Training Counselors, law enforcement, prior military and tactical instructors. Chris has added additional instructor certifications to his repertoire to include the NRA Basic CCW, NRA Personal Protection Inside the Home, NRA Personal Protection Outside the Home, NRA Defensive Pistol, NRA Basics of Shotgun Shooting, and many more.
Chris is an active world business traveler, often moving into less permissive environments, where options for self defense are limited and even frowned upon, allowing for years of experience in situational awareness & de-escalation. When not traveling, he participates regularly in recreational pistol shooting challenges including IPSC & USPSA style competitions.
Chris also is a certified Hunter Education Instructor and Huntsman, actively volunteering monthly with the Colorado Parks and Wildlife division, teaching Hunter Education courses in Colorado Springs, and assisting and leading novice hunts throughout the state.
Senior Instructor - Chris "Sparrow"
Request a Colorado CHP Refresher Course
Course Topics Listed Above
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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. Students will receive reference books, take a NRA CCW Student Examination and receive a course completion certificate bearing the signature of the NRA Secretary and your NRA Certified Instructor.
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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, and shooting range safety. Additionally, students will complete live fire training and a nationally standardized shooting qualification while on the range with an 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 bearing the signature of the NRA Secretary and your NRA Certified Instructor.
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Prerequisite:This course is for law-abiding adult citizens, as defined by applicable federal, state, or local law, and 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). Prospective participants can demonstrate that they have the requisite knowledge, skills, and attitudes by producing an NRA Basic Pistol Course Certificate, NRA FIRST Steps Course Certificate, NRA pistol competitive shooting qualification card, military DD 214 with pistol qualification, or passing the Pre-Course Assessment.
Description: This is an eight-hour course. 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, NRA Gun Safety Rules brochure, the Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification booklet, and course completion certificate.
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Prerequisite:This course 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. Description: The course is divided into two levels. Level one is nine-hours 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. Students spend several hours on the range and shoot approximately 100 rounds of ammunition during level one. Upon completion, students may choose to attend level two, which is an additional five hours on the range and approximately 115 rounds of ammunition learning advanced shooting skills. Time and ammunition requirements are minimum, and may be exceeded. Students will receive the NRA Guide to the Basics of Personal Protection Outside the Home handbook, NRA Gun Safety Rules brochure and appropriate (level one/level two) course completion certificates(s)
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The NRA Defensive Pistol Course will focus on the techniques needed to develop a defensive mindset. The goal of the course will be to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to carry and use a concealed pistol ethically, responsibly, and with confidence. As a result of participating in this course, the student will be able to explain and demonstrate the following: How to apply the NRA Rules for Safe Gun Handling when carrying a concealed firearm, basic principles of concealment, the difference between cover and concealment, drawing from the holster, levels of mental awareness, developing the proper mindset when using a pistol for personal protection, clearing common stoppages, use of pocket pistols, and more. Students will receive the NRA Guide to the Basics of Personal Protection Outside the Home handbook, NRA Gun Safety Rules brochure and the NRA Defensive Pistol certificate. This course is only conducted by NRA Certified Advanced Pistol Instructors.
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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. Students will receive the Basics of Shotgun Shooting handbook, NRA Gun Safety Rules brochure, Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification booklet, take a Basics of Shotgun Shooting Student Examination, and receive a course completion certificate.
