Our certified firearms instructors carry credentials with the NRA and USCCA. Each of our certified firearms instructors complies with all training standards that have been established by the NRA and USCCA. The focus of our team is to provide each student with the knowledge, skills and attitude to become a responsible firearms owner. Our training programs are designed for students brand new to firearms as well as more advanced shooters. Our training programs focus on the development of basic marksmanship skills, advanced firearms handling and defensive pistol fundamentals.
Steve, our head instructor, was introduced to the outdoors and its adventures at an early age and has continued to enjoy and share it with others. Steve began shooting at age seven with his father and began hunting at age ten.
In 2007, Steve became a registered Boy Scouts of America Shooting Sports Instructor, teaching youth in the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts from his local Boy Scout Council. Through this program he has educated hundreds of young scouts and parents on the proper use, handling and firing of both rifles and archery equipment.
Steve is NRA and USCCA instructor certified, having successfully met the requirements established by the National Rifle Association of America and the United States Concealed Carry Association, allowing him to educate people on the safe handling and use of a variety of firearms.
Instructor Credentials:
NRA Pistol
NRA CCW
NRA Personal Protection Inside the Home
NRA Refuse To BE a Victim
NRA Rifle
NRA Shotgun
NRA Muzzleloading Rifle
NRA Chief Range Safety Officer
USCCA – Concealed Carry and Home Defense Instructor
USCCA – Women’s Handgun and Self Defense Instructor
USCCA – Countering the Mass Shooter Threat Instructor
US Archery Instructor Level A1
Relevant Experience:
Medical:
Basic Life Support/CPR Instructor – ASHi
USCCA – Emergency First Aid Fundamentals
American College of Surgeons – Stop the Bleed Instructor
Boy Scouts of America:
Will is not only a well-qualified shooting instructor, but also an EMT, firefighter, and a commercially rated helicopter pilot. An EMT since 2003, his experience has run the gambit from basic transports to critical care and life-saving situations in both the public and private sector. Will has worked with and trained a wide variety of people from backgrounds as diverse as law enforcement and boy scouts.
He became an instructor out of a genuine desire to help people. He believes that “Teaching gives people a way to help themselves.” In other words, he is able to pass along knowledge to better prepare others for life-threatening situations or to simply improve their skills with firearms. In terms of self-defense, firearms are equalizers, giving people regardless of shape, size, or strength a way to protect themselves.
Will’s lifelong experience and training give him a unique perspective, allowing him to address the firearm and training needs of individuals from various backgrounds. He is also the founder of American Tactical Concepts, a company borne from the idea shooters, whether new or experienced, amateur or professional, require high quality firearms that are reliable and promise years of dependable service.
Instructor Credentials:
NRA Pistol
NRA CCW
NRA Personal Protection Inside the Home
NRA Refuse To Be A Victim
NRA Rifle
NRA Shotgun
NRA Chief Range Safety Officer
NRA Range Safety Officer
Relevant Experience:
Medical:
EMT
Basic Life Support/CPR Instructor
State of Ohio EMS Continuing Education Instructor
American College of Surgeons – Stop the Bleed Instructor
Boy Scouts of America:
BSA Great Trail Council Merit Badge Councilor – Rifle & Shotgun
BSA Buckeye Council Merit Badge Councilor – Rifle & Shotgun
Serena started shooting in middle school, competing in cast bullet silhouette matches, then in power service rifle.
She has since earned the Distinguished Rifleman’s badge, the highest honor commissioned by the U.S. government for marksmanship, and is working on rebuilding the high-power program for juniors in Ohio. Serena began shooting Palma in 2020 and is a member of the developmental United States Young Eagles Team with hopes of going to South Africa to represent the U.S. in 2023.
She has been working as a freelance writer and has been published in various online and print publications including Guns & Ammo: AR-15, American Handgunner, Guns, Deer & Deer Hunting, NRA Shooting Sports USA, NRA Women and Gunpowder Magazine, among others.
Instructor Credentials:
NRA Rifle Instructor
NRA Basic Pistol Instructor
NRA Range Safety Officer
Relevant Experience:
Medical:
First Aid/CPR Certified
Shooting Sports:
Distinguished Rifleman
U.S. Young Eagles Palma Team Member
NRA High Power Classification: Master
2018 Ohio State Championship: 3rd in Service Rifle, High Woman
Marcus grew up in a large military and law enforcement family. He developed an appreciation for history at an early age, leading him to heavily pursue reenacting. His experiences over the past decade have made him well versed in verifying the authenticity of historic firearms as well as educating on safe handling and firing of those arms.
With a background in forensic analysis, Marcus has worked as a private/criminal investigator and has investigated rape, murder, child custody and infidelity cases. He has also performed background checks and DNA, hair and fingerprint analysis. As a security officer he specialized in high value asset protection and anti-piracy for well-known brands.
Dedicated to helping others, Marcus now works as a full-time EMT and Basic Life Support Instructor. He just earned his Firefighter I and II card in the state of Ohio as well as his Hazmat operations certificate.
Instructor Credentials:
NRA Range Safety Officer
Basic Life Support/CPR Instructor – AHA/ASHI
Relevant Experience:
Medical:
EMT-B
Basic Life Support/CPR Instructor – AHA/ASHI
American College of Surgeons – Stop the Bleed Instructor
Investigation:
Assistant Vice President of High 5 Fingerprinting
Former Criminal Investigator
Former Security Officer for high-profile brands
Todd began shooting at age 8, bonding with his older brother while learning to shoot his grandfather’s .22 lr rifle. Just barely a teenager, Todd received his first shotgun, an over under 20-gauge as a Christmas present. Today Todd enjoys shooting all kinds of firearms, anything he has the opportunity to learn how to shoot. He competes in IDPA events twice a week and occasionally shoots sporting clays. Todd also volunteers as a scorer and trapper for sporting clays events.
He enjoys working on cars and is an avid amateur photographer.
Instructor Credentials:
NRA Range Safety Officer
Relevant Experience:
Medical:
First Aid/CPR Certified