Getting into Guns Professionally

[HealthyGunz]

I'm still somewhat new to firearms but it is one of those hobbies that I got into real fast and I know I will stick with for life. Specifically, I enjoy shooting them, bettering my shooting and safety skills, and teaching others. I like having a positive gun impact on people. I like being that guy who trains people for the first time because I know I do it right. I've brought probably about 10 first shooters to the shooting range and given them instruction on gun safety as well as how to shoot. Several of them have shot very well too and all of them have wanted to come back for more!

My question is, how could I get into this field professionally? Right now, I have another main career choice that I am pursuing, but I'd love to teach gun classes or work on guns, or even sell guns as a part-time job. I'm sick and tired of all of these irresponsible idiots who are going around shooting and killing innocents and creating a bad name for guns. I'd like to make a positive influence. I also think I would have fun and learn even more about fascinating firearms in the process. Thanks for your response and insight.

[locosway]

This is something I've been thinking about more and more lately. I can't stand my day job, but it pays the bills. I'd much rather do something I enjoy like teaching firearms. The problem is training. I've seen a lot of job openings ask for retired or current law enforcement to teach the classes. I'm sure if you're good enough you can work your way in, but there will be a barrier you will need to overcome.

[Thefeeder]

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PM sent..

[locosway]

PM sent..

I can haz one too?

[DannyInSoCal]

Interesting topic.

I brought a buddy of mine (If I had his money I'd just burn mine) to RifleGear during my last PPT and he couldn't believe how busy they were on a Tues afternoon.

We've been tossing business plan ideas around for opening a shop. There are definitely markets that are underserved which could deliver much needed benefits for enthusiasts - While turning a decent profit....

[locosway]

Interesting topic.

I brought a buddy of mine (If I had his money I'd just burn mine) to RifleGear during my last PPT and he couldn't believe how busy they were on a Tues afternoon.

We've been tossing business plan ideas around for opening a shop. There are definitely markets that are underserved which could deliver an exclusive much needed benefits for enthusiasts - While turning a decent profit....

I was in there on the 3rd and it was CRAZY!

[Will Goes Boing]

Well not to rain on your parade or anything but what qualifications do you have to be an instructor? You said yourself that you are fairly new to firearms, so what makes you think you really know what you're doing? Don't mean to sound like a douche, just wondering. I've seen a lot of people at the range who are "teaching" their friends/gfs how to shoot and they're basically passing down incorrect form/techniques. I believe most firearms instructors are either ex-military/LEO's and/or are accomplished competition shooters.

[CaliforniaLiberal]

.......My question is, how could I get into this field professionally? Right now, I have another main career choice that I am pursuing, but I'd love to teach gun classes or work on guns, or even sell guns as a part-time job. I'm sick and tired of all of these irresponsible idiots who are going around shooting and killing innocents and creating a bad name for guns. I'd like to make a positive influence. I also think I would have fun and learn even more about fascinating firearms in the process. Thanks for your response and insight.

Welcome to CalGuns HealthyGunz!

I have a little information about the "working on guns" part of your post. Lassen Community College in Susanville has an excellent Gunsmithing program.

http://www.lassencollege.edu/index.html

Gunsmithing
Associate in Science Degree in Firearms Repair
Associate in Science Degree in General Gunsmithing
Certificate of Accomplishment in Gunsmith Machinist and Metal Finishing
Certificate of Accomplishment in Long Guns
Certificate of Accomplishment in Pistolsmith
Certificate of Accomplishment in Riflesmith


There are only a handful of accredited Gunsmithing Schools in the country. I'd stay away from the for-profit "technical schools" and stick to the accredited Community Colleges.


The NRA also sponsors short gunsmithing classes that let you get a taste of what it's all about.

http://www.nrahq.org/education/gunsmithing.asp

http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/showthread.php?t=63596

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/archive/index.php/t-101231.html

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/archive/index.php/t-283787.html

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/archive/index.php/t-67938.html

[locosway]

Well not to rain on your parade or anything but what qualifications do you have to be an instructor? You said yourself that you are fairly new to firearms, so what makes you think you really know what you're doing? Don't mean to sound like a douche, just wondering. I've seen a lot of people at the range who are "teaching" their friends/gfs how to shoot and they're basically passing down incorrect form/techniques. I believe most firearms instructors are either ex-military/LEO's and/or are accomplished competition shooters.

I think he was looking for more info on training, since you obviously need to be well trained to get into this field. I wouldn't say that a LEO or serviceman has exceptional training in weapons handling, or that they're up on all the proper things to do. Anyone can start taking classes and accell at a subject, and this is no different.

I've been looking at some of the Sig courses, but it seems that their instructor courses aren't held in San Bernardino. I'm not sure if going the NRA instructor route to start is the right thing to do, or something else.

[Turbinator]

My question is, how could I get into this field professionally? Right now, I have another main career choice that I am pursuing, but I'd love to teach gun classes or work on guns, or even sell guns as a part-time job. I'm sick and tired of all of these irresponsible idiots who are going around shooting and killing innocents and creating a bad name for guns. I'd like to make a positive influence. I also think I would have fun and learn even more about fascinating firearms in the process. Thanks for your response and insight.

As a first step, you may want to look into becoming an NRA Certified Pistol Instructor. That may help guide you in the right direction.

Turby

[HCz]

Getting NRA basic instructor certificate would be the way to go.

However, I'll give you some warnings if you are going to pursue this path

1. The market for instructors is either saturated right now, or is going to be saturated. Due to many years of war, a lot of veterans with experience will take on this route. They got real experience and unless you are really good at teaching, they generally have the advantage of putting their skills to test. To be able to make living out of it, you better have some experience in LEO or military field. There are those who don't have such experience, but they are not that many.

2. You need to have some sort of a good system to reach students. One of the better thing to do is to have a really good relationship with a range that you will use for training. This will open you up for more exposure as new shooters will come to shooting range to shoot. Unfortunately, a lot of ranges already have someone for teaching, but if you could work there part-time, it may work out.

[j1133s]

I'm still somewhat new to firearms but it is one of those hobbies that I got into real fast and I know I will stick with for life. Specifically, I enjoy shooting them, bettering my shooting and safety skills, and teaching others. I like having a positive gun impact on people. I like being that guy who trains people for the first time because I know I do it right. I've brought probably about 10 first shooters to the shooting range and given them instruction on gun safety as well as how to shoot. Several of them have shot very well too and all of them have wanted to come back for more!

My question is, how could I get into this field professionally? Right now, I have another main career choice that I am pursuing, but I'd love to teach gun classes or work on guns, or even sell guns as a part-time job. I'm sick and tired of all of these irresponsible idiots who are going around shooting and killing innocents and creating a bad name for guns. I'd like to make a positive influence. I also think I would have fun and learn even more about fascinating firearms in the process. Thanks for your response and insight.

Well, if you'd like to teach newbies, then you may want to look into becoming an NRA instructor. The time commitment is I think about 16hrs (you'd take a general class and then a specialization) for certification in pistol, rifle, or shotgun. Cost is $100-$150. There is a written and a shooting test, but they are very easy to pass, the main goal of the class is to give you an instructor mindset and teach you ways to efficiently transfer knowledge.

To sell guns and gunsmith, do you want to become an FFL dealer or do you want to work in a gun shop? You can request the FFL application and it'll have choices on just being a dealer and/or gunsmith and generally you'll have no problems getting licensed if you live outside a city (i.e. county). Cost is about $200.

If you later want to start teaching more advanced classes, you can add to your NRA certifications with personal defense (in/outside your house), etc.

Additionally, if you participate in competitions and do well, you can market your class based on your match performance. However, an NRA instructor certification is still nice to have (because it really teaches you how to teach and be safe and not how to shoot, as an instructor).

[locosway]

Well, if you'd like to teach newbies, then you may want to look into becoming an NRA instructor. The time commitment is I think about 16hrs (you'd take a general class and then a specialization) for certification in pistol, rifle, or shotgun. Cost is $100-$150. There is a written and a shooting test, but they are very easy to pass, the main goal of the class is to give you an instructor mindset and teach you ways to efficiently transfer knowledge.

To sell guns and gunsmith, do you want to become an FFL dealer or do you want to work in a gun shop? You can request the FFL application and it'll have choices on just being a dealer and/or gunsmith and generally you'll have no problems getting licensed if you live outside a city (i.e. county). Cost is about $200.

If you later want to start teaching more advanced classes, you can add to your NRA certifications with personal defense (in/outside your house), etc.

Additionally, if you participate in competitions and do well, you can market your class based on your match performance. However, an NRA instructor certification is still nice to have (because it really teaches you how to teach and be safe and not how to shoot, as an instructor).

That's some really good info.

[j1133s]

I think he was looking for more info on training, since you obviously need to be well trained to get into this field. I wouldn't say that a LEO or serviceman has exceptional training in weapons handling, or that they're up on all the proper things to do. Anyone can start taking classes and accell at a subject, and this is no different.

I've been looking at some of the Sig courses, but it seems that their instructor courses aren't held in San Bernardino. I'm not sure if going the NRA instructor route to start is the right thing to do, or something else.

Going the NRA route is a simple way of having "NRA instructor" next to your name/ad. I know it doesn't mean much to veteran shooters (in terms of shooter skills and knowledge), but it means a lot to new shooters. It is also just a 2 or 3 day/$100 commitment, so it's not too troublesome to get for somebody wanting to go into the teaching field.

There's also another area of teaching: CCW instructors. Many states require some form of class and/or shooting tests for thei CCW license. Generally, CCW instructor certifications are similarly easy (in terms of time/money) to obtain and offers another venue for students.

The instructor classes teaches more on "how to teach" than "how to shoot".

These routes give you "certifications" by NRA or state, i.e. well-know entities that a new shooter may think is important. Just taking (for example) Sig classes, may not achieve this recognition even if the Sig classes actually teaches you better shooting skills.

[locosway]

Looks like all of the classes are on the weekends, which I work...