About Us

NRA instructors

CCW instructors for NV, UT, FL, OR

Location:

Reno/Sparks and Carson City, Nevada

We are the area’s most-referred CCW course because we are thorough on safety,  law, resources, concealment options, etc. We use a curriculum that is easy to follow  so you are able to retain the class material and understand the responsibility that comes with carrying a concealed weapon. We have been teaching CCW classes in the Reno area for over 20 years.

If you’ve never shot a handgun, this is a great place to start. It is a basic course with lots of resources for your personal development in firearms training, a lifetime discipline that requires practice.

We have been very successful with helping beginners, both men and women, to feel comfortable with the proper, safe use of handguns. All of our instructors are very friendly and professional. They demonstrate safety, patience and encouragement. 

We make the class informative for all levels of shooters. The most experienced shooters tell us that they learn a lot, even when they have been to a variety of advanced classes.We make the classes a great refresher for experienced shooters, going over the main points of pistol safety and laws.

We create an environment that allows the students to absorb and think about the materials. We provide resources and materials that help you to expand your knowledge and improve your skills.

Upon completion of the class you will be more confident in handling, loading and unloading, shooting, carrying, storing, maintaining and owning handguns.

You will know when and where you can and cannot use, carry, and transport a handgun. You will know which states honor your CCW permit. If after the 8-hour class you still don’t feel comfortable with handling your gun, join us for $5 Saturdays. Any Saturday that we are teaching a class, make an appointment to spend more time on the range with one of our instructors and get personal training on the proper handling of your hardware to shooting at multiple targets and close range combat. It’s up to you and what you feel you need to focus on. We just ask for $5 to cover the range fee, and also suggest a tip for the instructor.

We are instructors for the general public of law-abiding citizens. Our clients feel that they have received a great value.In 2008 we trained women at cost when there was a serial killer at large in the Reno area. Our mission is to help make Reno a safe place for citizens and police. We want to make Reno a model example of low crime rates, through responsible armed citizens, who have a proper knowledge and attitude for carrying concealed.  

We are politically active in the community and support pro-gun and pro-citizen candidates for office. Most other politics we leave out of our classes. No matter what your political views, you have a right to defend yourself.

We have been heard on KOH, Gun Talk radio and the Ira Hansen show. 

No-Shoot congested areas map for Washoe County: http://wcgisweb.washoecounty.us/CongestedAreas/

Our instructors:

Jim Smith has been with Armed and Safe for over thirteen years and is a former Federal Law Enforcement Agent.   His firearms background includes training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia, The FBI / DEA Training Academy at Quantico, Virginia and at The United States Military Academy at West Point,  New York. As a certified NRA Instructor and Range Safety Officer,  he is knowledgeable in the federal law of transporting firearms across state lines, the interstate and intrastate transportation of firearms in commercial motor vehicles and on private and commercial aircraft, as well as case law pertaining to the use of deadly force inside and outside of the home.  He also holds several States’ non-resident firearms permits and is a Certified Utah Firearms Instructor.   Jim is currently a public school special-education teacher in Reno.