AAO – American Armed Ordinances

Castella, Siskiyou County

Bullseye Tactical Firearms Training serves Redding, Shasta County, Mt. Shasta, and Siskiyou County from its Castella facility, where Christopher Ewens personally teaches every course. The operation distinguishes itself through intimate class sizes capped at two to five students, conducted entirely at a private range with an adjacent classroom—eliminating the need to travel between locations or wait alongside dozens of students at public facilities. Ewens brings four decades of firearms instruction experience, having trained over 8,000 citizens and law enforcement officers with zero range accidents during that span. The 16-hour initial CCW permit course costs $320 and qualifies participants for California concealed carry permits across multiple northern counties, plus bonus eligibility for non-resident permits in Oregon, Arizona, Florida, and Virginia. Groups of three or more can schedule private classes at no additional cost, and the course includes three handgun qualification attempts. A standout offering is free post-permit qualification for additional handguns, typically completed within a week of course graduation. Uniquely among area providers, Ewens incorporates low-light defensive shooting with flashlight integration—addressing nighttime threat identification that other local courses omit. The qualification standard requires 16 of 20 rounds inside the 9-ring of a B-27 PRO-G target from seven yards, drawing from a holster. Shasta County permits list up to five handguns, while Siskiyou County allows five and Modoc County permits four. Students can purchase ammunition directly through the course without the background checks required at retail stores. Beyond CCW certification, Bullseye Tactical offers intermediate handgun and rifle training for ongoing skill development.

Red Bluff, Siskiyou County

Frank Caltabiano operates State of Jefferson Firearms Training from Red Bluff, serving Glenn, Siskiyou, Tehama, Trinity, Lassen, and Shasta counties across northern California. Caltabiano holds California CCW instructor certification #207 and has been teaching firearms safety classes since the late 1980s, with the business established circa 1995. He maintains NRA certifications as a Pistol Instructor, Personal Protection Instructor, and Chief Range Safety Officer, and currently serves as Vice President of the Tehama Shooters Association. The company recently added certification to teach in Lassen County and now offers non-resident California CCW permit classes for out-of-state applicants seeking California credentials. Classes take place at 26950 Manton Road in Red Bluff, where the facility combines classroom instruction with private range access. Initial 16-hour courses cost $295 and typically span two days, while 8-hour renewal courses run $150 and usually complete in a single day session starting at 7:45 AM. Both formats cover firearms law, use of deadly force, and range qualification with all firearms intended for the permit. Students provide their own ammunition—minimum 50 rounds for primary firearms in initial courses, 20 rounds per gun for renewals—along with eye and ear protection. Caltabiano also holds law enforcement instructor certification and competes in pistol and rifle disciplines, bringing active shooting experience to the curriculum.

Redding, Siskiyou County

Distinguished Firearms Instruction is led by Rick Deruyter, a retired Mt. Shasta Police Officer with over 25 years of firearms experience who now dedicates his expertise to beginner through advanced firearms training. Rick and his wife Doris—who manages student paperwork and logistics—have spent 23+ years married and share a passion for the firearms training industry alongside their family of four sons and eight grandchildren. The company is both NRA Certified and California Peace Officers Standards in Training Certified. Distinguished Firearms serves Northern California's Shasta, Lassen, Modoc, Tehama, Trinity, and Siskiyou counties, conducting classes in Redding, Weed, and Etna at various ranges. The business offers a 16-hour, two-day initial CCW certification course priced at $285 that complies with California regulations and SB2 changes, including tactical, CPR, and trauma training components. Eight-hour renewal courses cost $125 and include all range fees. Rick emphasizes customized instruction tailored to individual student abilities in small group settings, allowing students to set their own comfortable pace whether they've never fired a gun or possess extensive shooting experience. The company also provides free new gun qualification sessions for existing permit holders seeking to add firearms to their CCW licenses—students need only call in advance to arrange qualification timing. Distinguished Firearms partners with Solano's Hunters Hut in Mt. Shasta and operates an online booking system where students can register and pay deposits directly. Rick can be reached at 530-524-7594 or rick_deruyter@hotmail.com for questions about applications or class specifics.