Bill & Cathy Tidwell

Mariposa, Mariposa County

Hammer Stryke Self-Reliance Training operates from Mariposa, providing CCW training across Madera, Mariposa, Merced, and Stanislaus counties. Founded by Dave Givens, an NRA Training Counselor and Master Training Specialist with over 50 years of firearms instruction experience, the company maintains training facilities in both Mariposa and Merced counties. Dave brings 35 years of Search and Rescue background, including 19 years with the Mariposa County Sheriff's Department as Assistant SAR Coordinator, plus 13 years of U.S. Navy service as Chief Petty Officer. John Givens serves as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, bringing 40 years of law enforcement experience as a retired California Deputy Sheriff, certified Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor, and Glock Certified Professional Armorer. Co-owner Connie Givens contributes 25 years of SAR and Mounted Posse operations experience. Initial CCW courses run $220 and include qualification for up to three firearms, while renewals cost $110. Additional guns qualify at $20 each. The company emphasizes training beyond minimum state requirements, with courses delivered by instructors holding NRA, DOJ, and Chief Range Safety Officer certifications. The team's combined military, law enforcement, and emergency medicine backgrounds inform their curriculum, which covers defensive handgun, active shooter response, precision rifle, and home defense skill sets. Hammer Stryke partners with Mariposa Fish and Game Range and Safety First Shooting Association's River Oaks facility in Winton for live-fire training. The company also offers specialized Vehicle Tactics and Combat courses, wilderness survival training, and emergency medicine classes including American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED certification. Dave Givens maintains Endowment Membership with the NRA and Life Membership in Gun Owners of America and California Rifle and Pistol Association. Online booking through PayPal is available, with classes scheduled monthly. Students receive direct instruction from the ownership team rather than rotating contractors.

Merced, Mariposa County

Hard Focus Firearms Training LLC serves the Central Valley with approved CCW certification courses across seven counties: Merced, Madera, Fresno, Tulare, San Benito, Tuolumne, and Stanislaus. The company operates under the motto "Always Training... Never Trained," emphasizing ongoing skill development in defensive shooting techniques. Their training philosophy centers on exceeding minimum standards while maintaining a safe learning environment for students. The company offers both 8-hour CCW renewal courses at $150 per student and 16-hour initial certification classes, along with Utah Non-Resident CCW instruction and customized private training sessions. Renewal courses include five hours of classroom instruction covering current legal aspects of concealed carry and three hours of live-fire qualification, with all shooting conducted from concealment using the student's holster. Students may qualify with up to three firearms during standard renewal courses. Hard Focus partners with Firearms Legal Protection to provide students access to legal defense resources. The training emphasizes practical defensive shooting fundamentals including proper grip, trigger control, and sight alignment, with courses structured for intermediate-level shooters already comfortable with their equipment and holster presentation.

Clovis, Mariposa County

John Lewis Professional Firearms Instruction operates from Clovis, providing approved CCW training for multiple Central Valley law enforcement agencies including Fresno County Sheriff, Fresno Police Department, Madera County Sheriff, City of Madera, Tulare County Sheriff, Kings County Sheriff, Merced County Sheriff, and Mariposa County Sheriff's Office. John Lewis developed his firearms instruction path after formative hunting experiences at age 13 with a mentor who served as both a Marine and later as Constable of Merced County. Lewis further honed his expertise working in the gun department at Herb Bauer Sporting Goods, where colleagues encouraged him to pursue professional instruction. The company emphasizes personalized training with small group or private instruction formats under the philosophy of staying "Forever In Training." JLPFI's initial 16-hour CCW course costs $425 and includes client interviews, penal code instruction, threat assessment, aftermath protocol, range drills from 3 to 10 yards requiring 150-200 rounds per weapon, one hour of mental health presentation, and a 30-question exam. Eight-hour renewal courses are priced at $225 and require 100 rounds per weapon. The instruction model focuses on developing both shooting fundamentals and defensive mindset, with emphasis on holster draw, everyday carry practices, trigger work, and proper stance. JLPFI also offers New Owner Orientation for any firearm type, Advanced Firearms Instruction for skill refinement, dedicated one-on-one private instruction, monthly membership options, and FSC Instructor Certification courses from the Clovis location on North Willow Avenue.