What exactly is it that you do?

I provide a friendly, inclusive, conversational, hands-on training session geared towards people with little to zero firearms experience intended to teach firearms safety, how to operate and handle common firearm types, the fundamentals of shooting, and a discussion on the realities/ramifications of firearms ownership.

What exactly does the training cover?

1. Firearms safety – How to be safe in the handling and use of firearms. I am a safety nut. The entire course will be conspicuously safe.
2. Firearms Operation – How do guns work? What are the different kinds of guns? How do I know if they’re loaded? What do all the controls do? This is done hands-on, using several example firearms with an extreme emphasis on safety.
3. Shooting Fundamentals – How do you aim a gun? How do you hold a gun? How do you handle recoil, and things like that?
4. Firearm Realities – What laws do I need to understand? What about storage? What about transportation? How/where can I buy a gun? Is gun ownership right for me? What else do I need to consider?

The training also includes some practical shooting. The goal is to get you to shoot several types of firearms to put the shooting fundamentals into practice, and to give you some experience. This is all done in a very controlled manner, at my private range. I will guide you at every step, and we will frequently stop for questions and explanations.

Where do you do this training?

My wife and I own a small rural property about 15 minutes from Grinnell, Iowa (about an hour from Des Moines or Ames). The “tabletop” portion of the training happens in my kitchen, there.

I have a small outdoor shooting range on that property. Shooting happens there.

How long do these training sessions take?

Typically, they take 2-3 hours. There are often a lot of questions and side discussions, so the time can vary.

Have you done this before?

Yes. I made a comment on Reddit offering to provide basic firearm safety training to people outside the “normal” gun community, and I got a lot of responses. My wife is a corporate trainer, so we put together a quick curriculum, and we have provided training to several people.

What do you provide?

I provide training materials, all safety gear, all guns, all ammunition, targets and, of course, the range.

What do I need to bring?

Weather appropriate clothes for the shooting portion of the course (everything else is inside) and all of the questions that you’ve ever wanted to ask about guns.

How much does all of this cost?

I provide this service free of charge. 

When do you do this training?

I am typically available for training on Saturdays, and in the morning on Sundays, weather allowing.

Please contact me directly to set up a date for your training.

Can I bring some friends?

Yes. I encourage it. For safety reasons, groups need to be four people or fewer.

As mentioned, I’m very picky about safety, and keeping track of more than four new shooters is a challenge.

Are Liberals/women/people of color/members of the LGBTQ+ community/atheists/social media influencers/extraordinarily tall people/etc. welcome?

Yes. I strive to make the training inclusive, and tailored to anyone who wants to learn about firearms. Everyone is welcome.

Why do you do this?

I am a lifelong firearm owner. I’m also a reasonable person who doesn’t make gun ownership my entire identity.

I’ve seen many people struggle with getting basic firearm information and training because of the culture around guns in America.

That bugs the heck out of me, so I’m trying to help where I can.

Also, I enjoy the opportunity to meet people, and to share what I think is useful knowledge.

I’m nervous about driving way out in the country to shoot guns with an Internet stranger. How can you put my mind at ease?

You have good instincts!

We can chat online, and on request, I can provide contact information of other people who have taken my training, and you can reach out to them for a reference (although they are Internet strangers, too).

If you’re in the Des Moines area (or willing to drive there) we can meet for a cup of coffee so that we’re no longer strangers, and you can see that I’m not sketchy.

Are you going to try to sell me something?

No.

Are you going to try to get me to join your MLM-scheme, your church/cult, your political party, or your militia?

No.

How can I contact you?

You got this link (probably) from me. Just hit me up using whatever method you prefer.

If you don’t have a way of contacting me, leave a comment on this page with your contact info, and I’ll reach out to you.

Why don’t you have your phone number/email/address on this page?

I’ve been a little overwhelmed by how many people have shown an interest in my training. I’m one guy, with a family, so I’m not able to handle tons of requests coming from everywhere.

I’m trying to keep this sort of word-of-mouth.

If you arrange training with me, obviously I’ll give you my address and phone number.

What kind of guns do you teach with?

I typically present a variety of common semiautomatic handguns and revolvers, but if you have a specific interest or requirement, let me know.

Do you think everyone should own a gun?

No. Owning a gun is a big decision, and comes with a lot of responsibility. It’s not for everyone. My goal is to give you the information to know if it’s right for you, or not.

Will you help me buy a gun?

I’ll provide training, advice, recommendations, and moral support, but you’ll have to buy your own gun.

I just have a couple of short questions about guns. Can I just send you those instead of coming to a training session?

Of course. I’ll answer anything I can.

I already bought a gun, but I need help learning to use it. Will you help me?

Absolutely.

Why did you make this weird webpage?

I’m an IT Guy. I do stuff like this.