Shotgun Level 1, April 20th, las Vegas

Lesson Plan: Shotgun Basics

**Objective:**
Students will understand the fundamentals of shotgun operation, safety, and maintenance.

**Duration:**
2 hours

**Materials Needed:**
- Shotgun (unloaded for demonstration)
- Safety gear (ear protection, eye protection)
- Ammunition (for demonstration only)
- Cleaning supplies (cleaning rod, patches, oil)
- Handouts for students (safety rules, basic terminology

1. Introduction (15 minutes)**
- Brief overview of shotguns and their uses (hunting, sport shooting, home defense).
- Importance of safety in handling firearms.

2. Safety First (30 minutes)**
- Discuss the four fundamental rules of gun safety:
1. Treat every firearm as if it is loaded.
2. Never point a firearm at anything you are not willing to destroy.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.
4. Be sure of your target and what is beyond it.
- Demonstrate the use of safety gear and the importance of wearing it.

**3. Shotgun Terminology (15 minutes)**
- Explain basic shotgun parts and terminology:
- Barrel
- Action (pump, semi-automatic, break-action)
- Stock
- Trigger
- Safety mechanism
- Discuss different types of ammunition (birdshot, buckshot, slugs).

**4. Operating a Shotgun (30 minutes)**
- Demonstrate how to properly load and unload a shotgun.
- Discuss the mechanics of firing a shotgun (pulling the trigger, recoil).
- Explain proper stance and grip when shooting.

**5. Maintenance and Cleaning (15 minutes)**
- Demonstrate how to properly clean a shotgun.
- Discuss the importance of regular maintenance and care.
- Go over common issues and troubleshooting.

**6. Question and Answer Session (15 minutes)**
- Allow students to ask questions.
- Clarify any concepts that may be confusing.

**7. Conclusion (10 minutes)**
- Recap the key points covered in the lesson.
- Emphasize the importance of safety and responsible ownership.

**Follow-Up:**
- Practical session where students can practice shooting under supervision.
- Provide resources for further reading on shotgun safety and operation.

This lesson plan can be modified based on the audience's prior knowledge.