Focal Point Academy

The first step is getting to know you and your experience with firearms. From there we build the course around four things: safety, the legal side, confidence, and self defense, since that's usually why people are here.

Most sessions run four to six hours, and while the pace is relaxed and even a little fun, safety stays the priority the whole time.

I'm a US Navy veteran with an extensive training background in explosives and small to large caliber weapons. As a civilian, I'm a certified firearms instructor through BSIS, the NRA, and the California DOJ, and I hold active TFF-1512 and TIF-2241 instructor licenses.

I've been teaching firearm safety, CCW, and BSIS security courses for over 15 years.

Pricing is course based rather than a flat rate, since a 3 hour intro class and a 16 hour CCW course take very different amounts of time and range use.

Beginner firearm safety classes start at $104, BSIS security guard and permit courses run $124 to $258, and CCW courses run $268 for renewal up to $392 for the 16 hour initial course. Exact pricing is listed with each course below.

As the owner of a security and investigations firm, I was constantly working with HR on recruitment and training, and I wasn't happy with the results we were getting from outside programs. That led me to start teaching security officers myself, working toward their firearm permits.

My military instruction background made the transition natural, and from there I added baton, pepper spray, and other security certification courses.

Everyone from complete beginners who have never held a firearm to working security guards renewing their BSIS permits, CCW applicants, families wanting household safety training, and teens 13 and up with a parent involved. I've also trained students with serious prior experience, from novices to former SEAL members.

The common thread is a friendly, patient approach. It's often husbands who bring their wives in, since the wife can't stand how "militant" the husband gets about it, and I end up being the happy medium between the two. I love those stories, and you'll probably have a good time too.

A woman visiting from Germany had less than 12 hours before her flight home and showed up at the range hoping to learn to shoot, but the range didn't have an instructor available. I was finishing up with my own students and offered to help.

After her first shot, she was so excited she picked me up in a hug. It is one of my favorite memories from teaching, and a good reminder of why I do this.

Make sure your instructor is actually state certified for the specific permit or course you need, whether that's BSIS, DOJ, or CCW, not just someone with general firearms experience.

Beyond credentials, look for personality and patience. You want someone who will actively listen to your questions, adjust to your pace, and make you comfortable, not just read through a checklist.

Where does the instructor actually train, and is the course hands on or lecture only?

Think through your end goal too: are you working toward a permit or job requirement, or do you just want to feel more comfortable around firearms? Is this a renewal or your first certification? And consider your timeline, since some permits require scheduling around Live Scan or DOJ processing.