Browse sheriff-approved CCW instructors statewide. Filter by county, class type, price, and format.
2nd A Firearms Training is a San Diego-based firearms training company that provides professional and affordable training in the safe, responsible and ethical use of firearms. They are staunch advocates of the Constitutional Right to keep and bear arms and specialize in CCW training, basic and advanced pistol courses, and instructor training. The company emphasizes empowerment through education and takes pride in training both students and professional instructors.
Arc Angel Defense is a family, veteran owned and operated San Diego based business with 20+ years of security experience. They offer CCW training approved by the San Diego County Sheriff's Department, along with security officer training and armed security services. The company provides military, veteran, and law enforcement discounts and offers bilingual instruction in Spanish.
Discount Gun Mart is a well-established Southern California firearms institution with over 40 years in the business, offering both initial 16-hour and renewal 8-hour CCW permit courses at their two San Diego County locations in San Diego (Morena Boulevard) and Santee (Magnolia Avenue). With indoor shooting ranges at both locations, students can complete their classroom instruction and live fire qualification all in one place. Backed by a knowledgeable and experienced staff, Discount Gun Mart is known throughout the region for their customer-first approach and extensive expertise in all things firearms.
Hansen Firearms Training is Southern California's top rated firearms training company for concealed firearm permits, officially approved by Orange, San Diego, and Los Angeles Counties, plus cities of Los Angeles and Long Beach. They offer both in-person and online blended learning options for CCW classes, along with basic and advanced handgun training, medical trauma, and active attacker response courses. Their classes feature friendly, non-intimidating instruction with a 100% incident-free safety record and include range fees and targets in the price.
M&M Firearms Training is a veteran-owned and operated firearms training company serving the San Diego area. They offer CCW courses required for obtaining permits, including 16-hour initial classes and 8-hour renewal courses, as well as NRA personal protection courses. The company is staffed by DOJ CCW certified instructors with Army Armorer and RSO certifications, and they provide flexible scheduling including one-on-one training options.
Mclaren Defense is a firearms training company that advocates for Constitutional rights while emphasizing responsibility through professional and affordable training. They provide comprehensive CCW training courses, private coaching options, and specialized instruction in the safe, responsible and ethical use of firearms. The company also develops training courses and instructional videos for other organizations, offering both group classes and personalized instruction to accommodate various scheduling needs.
Paragraph 2 Firearm Training is an approved CCW instructor for Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Diego County Sheriff's Departments, offering comprehensive firearm training from beginner to expert levels. Led by Jim Belanger, they provide CCW initial and renewal courses, NRA certified instruction, USCCA training, and specialized courses including home defense fundamentals and women's handgun classes. They operate from multiple locations across Southern California and also conduct classes at Bass Pro Shops locations.
Personal Protection Academy is certified as an official CCW vendor by many Southern California municipalities and UT/AZ to administer both classroom and firing range portions of CCW initial or renewal applications. They serve Riverside County, San Diego County, and cities of Murrieta, Menifee, Hemet, Banning, and Beaumont, as well as offering multi-state CCW certification for UT & AZ that covers 36 states. The academy emphasizes that this is not a beginner's class and requires students to be proficient with gun handling and safety.
Personal Protection Firearms Training is owned and operated by James H. Murphy Jr., a San Diego-based firearms instructor whose background spans U.S. Marine Corps combat service in Vietnam, work as a San Diego County Deputy Sheriff, and over eleven years as a Deputy U.S. Marshal. Now a licensed California private investigator and NRA Life Member, James holds certifications from the California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS), California DOJ, and NRA. PPFT offers initial 16-hour and renewal 8-hour CCW courses authorized by the San Diego Sheriff's Department, as well as personal familiarization courses and in-home defense training for citizens at all experience levels.
Poway Weapons and Gear is a comprehensive training facility, shooting range, and retail store that has helped over 4,793 members secure their CCW permits. They offer the Concealed American 16-hour CCW course for $499, which includes classroom training, mental health components, and range time across two days. The facility features state-of-the-art technology including a Reel Shots Live-Fire Simulator and offers over 50 classes led by industry professionals.
Simulated live-fire training facility in Oceanside offering CCW initial and renewal courses, private lessons, and range simulation sessions.
Tap Rack Bang Training is a full-time firearms training company with over 30 combined years of experience training US Marines, law enforcement, and civilians. They offer CCW courses, private training sessions, and advanced pistol and rifle classes designed to develop practical defensive skills. The company emphasizes no-nonsense training focused on real-world application and also provides CCW application assistance through their White Glove service.
The CCW School provides online and in-person CCW training courses approved for all cities in Orange County, select Los Angeles County agencies, and all San Diego County cities. They offer flexible program options including 16-hour initial courses and 8-hour renewal courses with no additional range fees. The school is committed to providing conveniently scheduled and easy to understand basic firearms and CCW training courses covering safe firearm handling, marksmanship, tactical considerations, and applicable penal codes.
The Gunsmith Guy specializes in helping responsible, first-time gun owners and CCW holders build real confidence through practical instruction and simulated scenario training. They offer personalized coaching with small class sizes, integrated simulation-based firearms training, and focus on helping students react under pressure with training that's personal, safe, and effective. The company provides both USCCA and NRA classes, including San Diego County CCW courses, and offers private instruction that can come to the student's location.
VC Firearms Training offers private and small group training classes for Concealed Carry (CCW), rifle and pistol in Valley Center and surrounding San Diego areas. They specialize in women-only classes and provide comprehensive CCW courses that meet San Diego County Sheriff Department requirements. All basic classes are all-inclusive with firearms, ammo, and safety gear provided.
West Coast Kinetic Solutions provides CCW firearms training and defensive shooting courses in San Diego, California. Led by instructor Matthew Hauff, the company brings special operations and law enforcement-level training to civilian students, preparing them for real-world defensive encounters. They offer a range of courses from basic CCW certification to advanced defensive pistol and CQB training.
Instructors: Melissa Morris
Contact for pricing
Instructors: Jere Wheale
Instructors: Alex Cruz
Instructors: Keiko Arroyo
Alpha Culture L.L.C. provides firearms training with a holistic approach combining in-field and classroom instruction. They offer USCCA courses, basic firearms training, and CPR & life support classes. The company emphasizes that safety and self-defense training begins before an incident occurs and provides training materials for continued learning.
Instructors: Mike Cordisco
Instructors: Dakota Adelphia
Atlas Defense Group, Inc. is a licensed training facility in San Diego that provides CCW training alongside security guard services. They offer both 16-hour initial CCW training (split into classroom lecture and range training) and 8-hour renewal courses. The company also provides security guard training, BSIS firearms training, and private security services with highly rated customer service.
Firearms Training Associates provides firearms training in Southern California with courses conducted in a friendly, relaxed environment that emphasizes safety and mastery of weapons systems for all experience levels. Their team of instructors comprises experts from diverse backgrounds including law enforcement, military, government agencies, competition, and private training facilities. They offer training for civilians, law enforcement officers, and military personnel, teaching over 10,000 students every year at their Corona facility located on Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises.
CCW USA Firearms Training provides professional CCW training, renewals, and multi-state permit courses for responsible gun owners in San Diego County. Led by instructor William Desy with over 30 years of defensive firearms instruction experience and P.O.S.T.-certified Law Enforcement background, they offer training at a private outdoor facility. The company specializes in both group classes and private one-on-one instruction, with multi-state CCW permit training included free with their California CCW permit classes.
Coach K's Training is located in Orange County, CA and offers a comprehensive range of training courses including urban and wilderness survival, firearm safety, self defense, and Basic Life Support. The company emphasizes hands-on training with detailed instruction that goes beyond basic steps to include the why, when, and practical applications. They provide both individual courses and maintain a calendar of scheduled events.
Instructors: Andrew Huss
Instructors: David Premetz
Instructors: Shane Regan
Instructors: Emanuel (Manny) Mendoza
Family and Freedom Defense is a firearms training business founded by an instructor with over a decade of experience as a police officer, SWAT team firearms instructor, and active duty USMC officer. They offer CCW training for San Diego and Riverside County with small class sizes (maximum 4 students) at a private facility, emphasizing safe learning environments and personalized instruction.
Instructors: Anthony Barrera
Focal Point Academy is a licensed BSIS firearms training center serving the San Diego County area including Vista, Murrieta, and Temecula. They offer beginner-friendly firearms courses designed to be supportive and pressure-free, including California CCW permit courses (both initial 16-hour and renewal 8-hour), security guard training, and various firearm safety certifications. The academy emphasizes real-world training built on actual security experience and offers flexible scheduling including on-demand training sessions.
Force Defensive Firearms Training offers small group CCW classes, in and out of state CCW training, private lessons, and pistol, rifle, and safety classes in Murrieta, CA. They are a POST CCW, DOJ CA approved vendor for multiple sheriff's departments including Riverside County and San Diego County. The company is led by DOJ CA, NRA, and USCCA certified instructors who work with beginner, intermediate, and advanced students.
Fort Harms is a USMC Veteran owned firearms training business that provides San Diego County CCW certification, firearms training at all levels, Active Threat First Aid, and emergency preparedness education. Their instructors are military and law enforcement veterans with experience training state and federal agencies, focusing on small class sizes and custom training solutions for families, couples, and individuals. They emphasize safety and creating positive learning environments for students ranging from age 5 to 87.
Fortune Firearms is located near Temecula Wine Country and serves as both a firearms retailer and training facility. They offer comprehensive CCW qualification courses that meet Riverside County Sheriff's Department standards for both 8-hour renewal and 16-hour initial requirements. The business emphasizes creating an inclusive, educational environment with specialized women-friendly courses taught by female instructors, catering to shooters of all experience levels from beginners to advanced.
Forza Defense Training is Orange and San Diego County's premier concealed weapon training provider, led by CEO and founder Gina whose instructors are trained by NRA and USCCA. Their CCW courses are accepted and approved by both Orange County and San Diego County Sheriff's Departments. Founded with a passion for competitive shooting and family-oriented approach, they emphasize both safety and fun in their training environment.
Instructors: John Groff
Instructors: Danny Garcia
JRC Consulting is a professional security services company serving Southern California that offers comprehensive training programs including San Diego Sheriff's concealed carry training. They are one of the few Southern CA Private Patrol Operators that train and certify their own security officers in various skills including firearms training, and they maintain proper licensing as both a PPO and Training Firearms Facility.
Instructors: Joshua Vazquez
Instructors: John McBride
NANPOR Security Academy is a veteran-owned business established in 1985 that provides comprehensive security training and services in San Diego County. They offer Guard Card, Firearm, CCW, Baton and personal defense training courses alongside customized security services. The academy serves both individual students and organizations with tailored training programs and has worked with clients including Department of Homeland Security, major hotels, and educational institutions.
Instructors: Sean DePriest
North County Shooting Center is the premier full-service shooting range and retail gun store in San Diego County, located in Vista, CA. They offer professional CCW classes held several times a month with certified instructors, along with gunsmithing, rebluing, refinishing, and firearm cleaning services. The facility provides comprehensive firearms training from basic pistol courses to advanced defensive pistol classes, designed for both new and experienced shooters.
Instructors: Joseph Chen
Instructors: Brett Christensen
Phoenix Tactical Solutions is a Los Angeles-based firearms training company that provides tactical solutions and customized defensive firearms training programs. They serve civilians, military personnel, law enforcement, and contractors with their DEF-TAC courses covering handgun, shotgun, rifle, and force-on-force training. The company is an approved CCW training provider for LA County and emphasizes safety-first instruction with personalized attention for students of all skill levels.
Practical Defense Systems is a California state-certified training provider offering concealed carry courses for California, Utah, and Arizona, along with comprehensive security guard training and personal defense classes. Based in San Diego County but serving all of California, PDS features experienced instructors with law enforcement and security backgrounds who deliver hands-on, scenario-based training. The company provides both online and live courses, including interactive simulator training for active shooter response and de-escalation scenarios.
Instructors: Reynaldo Halili
Protector CCW & Firearms Training provides 16-hour Initial and 8-hour Renewal CCW courses for Riverside and San Diego Counties. Their instructors are former USBP Law Enforcement with over 26 years of field experience, emphasizing extensive live-fire drills and dynamic techniques from federal law enforcement academies. The company focuses on real-world self-defense training that goes beyond basic classroom instruction.
Instructors: James Austin
Instructors: Richard Hall
Instructors: Lour Bun
Instructors: Daniel Vigil
Sheriff-approved CCW instruction and renewal classes.
Instructors: Michael Tew
Instructors: Paul Peng
Shootsafe Academy has been providing professional firearms instruction to Orange County for over 13 years, recently expanding services to Riverside, Los Angeles, and San Diego counties. They specialize in small class sizes for personalized attention and offer 16-hour Basic CCW courses, 8-hour renewal courses, and AZ/UT non-resident certification that allows carry in over 38 states through reciprocity agreements. The academy also provides BSIS Guard Card certification and Basic Pistol courses.
Instructors: James R. Sanders
Instructors: Randy Tapley
Instructors: Raymond Walton
VIP CCW Services has been providing California CCW permit training since 2015, operating seven days a week with modular formatted classes to accommodate busy schedules. They are authorized training providers for numerous California law enforcement agencies including LASD, LAPD, and Orange County Sheriff's Department. The company offers hybrid online/in-person training, multi-state CCW classes, and private instruction, taught by CA POST certified law enforcement instructors and DOJ CCW instructors.
Instructors: Yosef Boublil
