Women’s Firearms Training

Women’s Firearms Training – Meets MD & VA Concealed Carry Permit Requirements

Tailored for women at all skill levels, these NRA-certified firearms training courses provide a safe, empowering environment to build confidence, firearm safety knowledge, and shooting skills.

At HARP FTD, we offer NRA-certified courses, led by NRA-certified instructors, as well as Maryland-specific training taught by Maryland State Police Qualified Handgun Instructors (QHICs). These courses are designed to meet the training mandates for:

✅ Maryland Wear & Carry Permit (Initial & Renewal)
✅ Maryland Handgun Qualification License (HQL)
✅ Virginia Concealed Handgun Permit
✅ And other state requirements as applicable

Training Courses We Offer

Women’s | NRA FIRST Steps Pistol Orientation + Simulator Training
Ideal for beginners. Satisfies MD HQL and VA Concealed Carry. Requirements

Women’s | NRA Basic Pistol Shooting (Blended) + Simulator Training
Meets Maryland HQL, Wear & Carry, and Virginia Concealed Carry Requirements

Women’s | NRA Basic Pistol Shooting – Instructor-Led (2-day)
Meets Maryland Wear & Carry Renewal Requirements

Women’s | NRA Pistol Marksmanship Simulator Training
Great for improving accuracy and firearm handling using laser training tools. (Not a certification course.)

⚠️ Legal Notice

While HARP FTD offers NRA-certified instruction training courses, the NRA does not endorse or approve specific state permit training requirements.

NRA certification alone may not satisfy all legal training mandates in your STATE.

Our Maryland and Virginia courses include supplemental instruction and live-fire qualification to meet state regulations.

Certificates & Outcomes

Successful students receive:

Maryland HQL Course Completion Certificate
(Required to purchase, rent, or receive a handgun in Maryland)

Maryland Wear & Carry Permit Course Completion Certificate

Maryland State Police Certified Qualification Score Sheet

⚠️ This portion of the course is not affiliated with the NRA and is administered solely by a Maryland Qualified Handgun Instructor (QHIC).

NRA Basic Pistol Certificate  – Recognized in all 50 states

NRA FIRST Steps Pistol Orientation Certificate

Note: The NRA Basic Pistol Course may also serve as a prerequisite for additional NRA training programs.

Quick Course Overview

Course MD HQL MD Wear & Carry VA Concealed DC CCPL UT CFP
NRA First Steps + Simulator ✅ ❌ ✅ ❌ ❌
NRA Basic Pistol (Blended) + Simulator ✅ ✅ ✅ ❌ ❌
NRA Basic Pistol Shooting (Instructor-Led) ❌ ✅ (Renewal) ✅ ❌ ❌
NRA Pistol Marksmanship Simulator ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌

⚠️ Prerequisites

  • No prior firearm experience is required
  • NRA Membership not required
  • 👤 Must be at least 21 years old (Pistol & Permit Courses)
  • ⚖️ Must be legally eligible to possess a handgun in MD, D.C, and VA
  • ✅ Must pass the live-fire qualification

🧠 What You’ll Learn

Applicable to All NRA Courses

  • NRA’s Rules for Safe Gun Handling
  • Types of Pistols – revolvers vs. semi-automatics
  • Parts & Operation of common pistol models
  • Ammunition Basics – types, function, safe handling
  • Shooting Fundamentals: Stance, aiming, trigger control, and breath control
  • Pistol Cleaning & Maintenance
Maryland & Other State-Specific Content (HQL / Wear & Carry):
  • Legal considerations for self-defense and use of force
  • Maryland-specific gun laws & permit regulations
  • Concealed carry techniques
  • Conflict de-escalation and threat avoidance
  • Suicide prevention & mental health awareness
  • Anger management & responsible carry mindset

⚠️ Utah & D.C. Permit Training   

         Not Yet Offered by HARP FTD

Utah Concealed Firearm Permit (CFP):

✅ NRA Basic Pistol Course accepted as a general safety component

❗ Additional Requirement: A separate 4-hour law module taught by a Utah BCI-certified instructor


Washington, D.C. Concealed Carry (Coming Soon)

16 hours of instruction

2-hour live-fire qualification

Course must follow D.C. Municipal Regulations (Title 24, §2336)
✅ Only accepted if taught by an MPD-certified instructor

🎓 Training & Course Environment

👟 Closed-toe shoes required

🥤 Snacks allowed — wear comfortable clothing

💬 Questions encouraged — relaxed, informal learning environment

📸 No firearms or ammo in the classroom unless instructed

🤐 No filming, horseplay, or unsafe conduct

📝 What to Bring

Government-issued photo ID

Livescan fingerprint receipt (optional for assistance with permit applications)

Comfortable clothing

Pre-course paperwork (emailed after registration)

📝 Livescan Fingerprints:

Before submitting your Maryland HQL and W/C applications, you must complete Livescan fingerprinting for a background check.

Fingerprints are valid for 12 months after submission

If you would like assistance with your MD HQL, and W/C application's during class, you must bring your fingerprint receipts with you.

 

Additional details about the fingerprinting process are available [HERE]