Ryan Watters Firearm Instructor

Redding, Tehama County

Rick DeRuyter retired from the Mt. Shasta Police Department after 25 years of firearms experience to focus full-time on firearms instruction through Distinguished Firearms Instruction. He holds NRA certification and California Peace Officers Standards in Training (POST) credentials. Rick and his wife Doris—who handles student paperwork and administrative coordination—have operated the training business together for over 23 years while raising four sons and eight grandchildren. The company serves Modoc, Shasta, and Tehama counties from locations including Redding and Mount Shasta, partnering with Solano's Hunters Hut for range access. Distinguished Firearms offers 16-hour initial CCW courses at $285 that include tactical, CPR, and trauma components compliant with SB2 requirements, and 8-hour renewal courses at $125. Students can add new guns to existing permits at no charge through free qualification sessions. Rick emphasizes customized, small-group instruction where students progress at their own pace regardless of prior shooting experience. The company also coordinates with independent instructors across Northern California who utilize NRA-taught professional techniques. Classes run monthly in Redding, Weed, and Etna with tactical and women-only introductory sessions scheduled periodically.

Redding, Tehama County

Firearms Academy of Redding has been providing firearms training, self defense and CCW instruction to Redding, Shasta County and Northern California for over 30 years. The academy offers CCW training for residents of multiple California counties including Shasta, Tehama, Trinity, and others, as well as non-resident permits for Florida and Arizona. Owner and instructor Joel Northrup is POST certified and approved by the Shasta County Sheriff's Office, with classes taught in a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere.

Chico, Tehama County

Down Range operates from 13407 Garner Lane in Chico as Northern California's premier indoor firearms training center, featuring the region's only 25-yard range accommodating pistols, rifles, and shotguns. The facility handles calibers up to .50 caliber at velocities of 4,200 fps or less, providing controlled environment practice for handgun, rifle, and shotgun users. A team of instructors including Brian Gonsalves, Rhiley Harrison, Stephen Dyke, Sean Evans, Damian Georgiou, and Rob Kearbey delivers California CCW initial and renewal courses alongside advanced pistol training and specialized programs for women and youth. Down Range serves Glenn, Lassen, Plumas, Shasta, Tehama, and Yuba counties from its Chico location, which operates Monday through Friday from 6am to 8pm and Saturday through Sunday from 7am to 9pm. The facility houses a full-line firearms retail store offering ammunition, accessories, optics, holsters, and shooting gear, with an on-site gunsmith providing firearms repair and customization services. Following its acquisition of Uniforms, Tuxedos and More, Down Range now operates as the North State's only full-service uniform supplier for police, fire, EMS, and professional service workers, handling embroidery, heat press, and screen printing for public safety academies and businesses. Membership programs offer shooting and training benefits with retail and online discounts, while the facility's "Bargain Cave" features discounted tactical equipment and shooting accessories. Contact options include phone at 530-896-1992 or email at Registration@DownRangeChico.com, brian@downrangechico.com, or info@downrangechico.com.