How did I become a firearms instructor?
One question that I am always asked is “How did you become a Firearms instructor”? Well, grab some coffee and take a seat and I will share with you my story.
In the spring/summer of 2019 I met this guy he was cute, funny and just seemed like a great person. We would go out and enjoy our time together, even if we just hung out watching movies/Netflix and chill or go out at a restaurant (remember when we could go out to a bar/restaurant without worrying about Covid19? Ah, the good old days). If memory serves me, we met around April, and looking back (hind sight is ALWAYS 2020) there were red flags. But me being stubborn and being excited to “date” someone (seriously I guess I was more lonely and just happy to have met someone) overruled any/all obvious signs I ignored. (Hindsight….I guess you live and learn huh?)
As the summer progressed, I noticed little things about him. He could be quick to anger, not at me. But if we were out and had some drinks, he would get upset if someone bumped into him or myself and always seem to be more aggressive then needed (use of force continuum comes to mind). This all changed one day when it was me who pissed him off for the last time. Up until this point, he never raised a hand to me. Well, today he did… and while he never hit me, I guess my mind sorta reset.
I remember leaving that evening driving home, being so mad at myself for even letting it get that far ( I know, I’m lucky, he did not hit me and that some aren’t as lucky as me). I knew at that moment I had to step up. He knew where I lived, where I worked, all of that information. I also knew that it would only get worse.
Remember all those little red flags, well I finally said enough is enough. In the coming week, I blocked him on everything, and decided to take my safety in my own hands. I had never really thought about firearms before, I didn’t like nor not like them. Actually if I’m completely honest, they sort of scared me. I work in healthcare, in the operating room, and I’ve seen what guns can do, I’ve seen them destroy people. Why would I want to try shooting a gun knowing what I know? Well, I believe in trying things out for myself before making a judgment. I started doing research into what I would need to do to get a handgun living in Maryland. I found and signed up for an HQL ( I know I could have just gone to a range, but I insisted on learning the different laws, rules and all of it before touching one). A few days later, I walked into FreeState Gun Range and I guess I never walked out.
I fell in love with shooting. I took every class I could and I took private lessons as well. A few months after that, I jokingly asked if they were hiring since I was always there anyway. Plot twist, they did need some help, so that December I starting working there, I got to meet some amazing people and made awesome friends. I also got to develop my skills, and help newbie’s out. I LOVE helping people find their first firearm, and walking the range making sure customers are being safe.
About 6 months ago, I was asked to meet with the Owner and the VP of operations( I honestly thought I was being fired- thank god I wasn’t!). They asked me if I liked working at the Range, (YES!!!) and if I had experience teaching people (I have, in my other healthcare job). I was confused and asked what was going on. They asked if I was interested in becoming a trainer, that they saw something in me that they believed would make a great instructor my outgoing personality, ability to explain things, my desire to learn more and continuing wanting to get better were all the hallmarks of someone who would make a good instructor.
I sat, mouth open staring between both of them with a “WTH” expression on my face. They weren’t kidding. Of course, I said yes, and that is where we are today. Now I teach private lessons, the MD HQL class and I am developing a few classes of my own. I also get to help out with other classes and get to learn more myself. To say I love my job is an understatement, I love helping people, I love seeing their expression when they finally “get” a particular skill, or try shooting for the first time. I teach a wide range of people and even kids. I was scared of shooting, I get being scared, but I encourage everyone to try it once. I hope that through teaching/training that my passion for firearms shines bright.
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