About
UPDATE: Check ou the website www.twofirsttraining.com Due to the Corona virus we ae offering "zoom" classes and a free touch base class for those new to firearms.
At “TFFT” we provide a straight forward, practical and comfortable introduction into the sometimes intimidating world of firearms and firearms instruction. Our focus is, of course, on safety first and foremost, but also to educate and empower those who are interested in learning or improving the safe use, handling and operation of firearms. We are especially interested in teaching new shooters or those with limited or no experience to develop and improve their knowledge and proficiency with a firearm.
We also provide practical non-firearm related "situational awareness" training to those who want develop their own personal safety plan using common sense strategies to protect themselves and their loved ones with or without the use of firearms.
As the owner and primary instructor of “TFFT”, I am proud to say that my formal firearms training experience comes from one of the oldest and most recognized firearms organizations in the United States, The National Rifle Association.
I am certified in Basic Pistol instruction by the NRA and the California Department of Justice. I am also an NRA certified Gun Range Safety Officer.
In addition to providing firearms training, I am also an instructor for the Refuse To Be a Victim®program. I also have been formally trained in home defense, personal concealed carry, defensive marksmanship and as a small bore rifle competitor.
We look forward to the opportunity to help those new to firearms to overcome any fear or trepidation in the safe use and proficiency in shooting and to help those with experience to become safer and/or more proficient.
I also encourage those who want to develop a personal safety strategy to be alerted to dangerous situations and to avoid criminal confrontations without the use or requiring the concealed carry of firearms through the Refuse To Be a Victim® program.
I love watching as the students gain the understanding of how different firearms work, and as they progress to obtain the knowledge, skills and attitudes to competently and confidently use and operate a firearm safely and accurately.
It is also immensely fulfilling to watch students who were previously intimidated or afraid of firearms go through a literal transformation during the class. As the student learns to understand how a gun operates, how ammunition works, and to become proficient in the safe and accurate use, operation, maintenance and storage of a firearm their feelings of confidence and expressions of empowerment is a great thing which to have played a part.
Highlights
Specialties
Student age(s)
Number of students
Any previous experience
Type of training
Type of firearm
Reason for training
Own a firearm
Photos and videos
Reviews
Michael B.
Victoria N.
Lawsons
Rashaad D.
Terry D.
Crystal M.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Our basic pistol class begins by learning as much about the students prior experience with firearms, so we can pace the class to the students needs. A brief introduction of the training staff will let the students know they are being taught by well-trained and competent intructors. An outline of the days events and timelines for breaks and range facilities familiarity. Then it is off to learn firearm safety, a hands on primer on the types of firearms and ammunition. This is followed by the basics of pistol shooting, maintenance and selection of firearms. We then proceed to simulator training and a written test to measure what each student has learned. The day is concluded with live fire pistol training on the range and last but not least, measured and timed live fire qualification.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
In addition to over 40 years experience with multiple types of firearms, I am certified in Basic Pistol instruction by the NRA and the California Department of Justice. I am also an NRA certified Gun Range Safety Officer.
I also have been formally trained in home defense, personal concealed carry, defensive marksmanship and have competed as a small bore rifle competitor in nationwide competition.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
The basic pistol class is $175.00 per student per class. With a group of four, we can offer a discount to $150.00 per student. I have no more than four students per instructor, per class.The price of the class does not include; Pistol rental, ammunition (100 to 200 rounds), eye or ear protection which is required on the range, or the range fees. Students must be of good moral character and must be leagally able to posess a firearm whether they currently own their own firearm or not.
UPDATE: Check ou the website www.twofirsttraining.com Due to the Corona virus we ae offering "zoom" classes and a free touch base class for those new to firearms.
How did you get started teaching?
My firearms teaching experience began with conducting several basic firearms marksmanship and safety classes to local "dens" of Cub Scouts and their parents. More advanced marksmanship classes followed with "Webelo" Scouts and full fledged Boy Scout troops.
I followed up by teaching individual adult classes on an informal basis to friends and family who where curious about firearms, but had no previous formal training. These experiences led to my seeking formal training through the oldest and largest civil firearms training organization in the United States, The Nation Rifle Association. I also have my firearms safety instructors certificate from the California Department of Justice.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with students of every age group; from first time young shooters, teens, and those who came to be interested in friearms later in life.
My current student profile include a large number of people in their 20's to 40's who previously were unfamiliar with firearms and even quite a few who had a previously negative view of firearms and firearm ownership. First time gun owners in their 30's seem to make up the biggest demographic with a larger percentage of women than in years past.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I agreed to take on a student who was also a co-worker in my "day job" at the time. This student was totally opposed to firearms from a moral, political and almost any other standpoint you could think of, but expressed a willingness to be "open-minded" with regard to learning how to use one. They had no previous experience, nor did they know anyone personally who did have any proir experience with firearms.
After getting them familar and acclimated to the safe use and operation of their chosen pistol, I taught the basics of pistol operation and shooting. After a somewhat shaky start, I watched a transformation from gun opponent to gun advocate. They found respect for the immense power and responsibility that comes with a firearm and, just as importantly, the "field leveling" effect a firearm gives to a person who would otherwise be taken advantage of by a larger and stronger opponent who may have evil in their heart.
Watching the empowerment wash over this former skeptic is one of the main reasons I sought to obtain my formal "credential" to teach people how to safely use a firearm.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
If I was a new "shooter" I would ask to meet with the prospective instructor informally at a neutral location to gauge whether you are compatable. If your spouse or partner is also interested, I would encourage all of you meet prior to signing up for a class. The potential investment of time and expense warrants an initial meeting so all involved have some familiarity with one another.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
What is it that has brought them to the point of wanting to learn about firearms and what is/are their ultimate goal(s) with regard to firearms? Is the interest merely recreational, hunting, home defense, personal protection, professional marksmanship? Was the training suggested by a spouse, friend, partner?
Be specific about your prior experience with firearms and share that with your prospective instructor.
A healthy self-assessment regarding any fear, reservation or trepidation regarding firearms should be undertaken and if any issues or motivation for considering training despite those factors should be shared wiht the prospecive instructor.