Becoming a Range Safety Officer
Early September I took the NRA Range Safety officer course. Not because I was looking for an RSO job but because I wanted to know more about gun safety. When myself or other instructors say safety first we mean it! Training with firearms is unforgiving, one mistake can cause injury or death to someone else or yourself. I don't say that to scare you but to put into perspective how important safety is. Following the universal firearm safety rules ( Treat every firearm like it's loaded, Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction/ downrange at all times, Keep your finger off the trigger until you're ready to shoot and Know your target and what's beyond it.) are critical for anyone who is interested in purchasing or training with firearms.
Just a few days after completing the course I saw a few companies posting that they were looking for range safety officers. I responded to an RSO job posting from Clark's Firearms Training and Safety. I'd met the owners Dwight and Tanesha Clark at the National Range Day event in Maryland organized by My Sister's Keeper Defense and The Trainers Lounge. After I'd applied I got a call from Dwight, we had a great talk about what my role would be in the classes and the overall direction of the company and I was sold. After verifying my credentials and some paperwork in the next couple weeks it was time to get started at Guntry.
I've enjoyed working the HQL (Handgun Qualification License) and Maryland Wear and Carry classes with instructor Clay. I've spent years as a student and now as the instructor it's given me a new perspective. It's been my first time around people who're beginners and it made me realize just how little people actually know about firearms. A lot of the information they have are myths that can be easily dispelled by qualified instructors. I've enjoyed the opportunity to educate new gun owners on their first and most important steps of their journey. There are so many basic things more experienced gun owners take for granted, like knowing how to properly load a magazine, muzzle and trigger discipline. Those things that are second nature to us have to be learned for the first time. Teaching gun safety empowers people and give them the right confidence to want to train more and train harder.
Being a Range Safety Officer extends beyond the gun range. Of course students need to learn the 4 universal safety rule but also the rules for safe storage, transportation, buying, carrying and training too. Most of the information people are getting is from the media who pushes false information or cinema and video games who dramatizes all the other aspects of firearms and how they're used. It's showed me what firearm knowledge ground zero really looks like. So many people are uneducated and miseducated as well. I have a great respect for my students who've decided to join these trainings and exercise their 2nd amendment rights. It's our job as instructors to give them as much information and guidance as they can handle. Make sure you schedule your next class with Clarks Firearms Training and Safety. We look forward to seeing you on the range.
