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About
I am a motivated individual on a mission to spread knowledge and skills to help you get home to your loved ones safely.
I seek to educate the general populace, making the firearms community a more responsible place and creating exemplary ambassadors of the 2nd Amendment.
I will source all my materials and training through my experiences with my personal instructors. I will make sure the training environment is safe and that any accommodations are made to create a comfortable experience .
Evil, although rare, does exist in this world and you should be prepared for the possibility and not the probability of a violent defensive encounter.
You are your own first responder…
Stay safe
Stay sharp,
Gerald Coates
Owner/Primary Instructor
Credentials
Total of 859 Formal Training Hours
- 624 Hours of Law Enforcement Training, Including 48 Hours of Law Enforcement Firearms Training
- NRA Pistol, Rifle, Range Safety Officer (NRA Training Page)
- NC CCH (Concealed Carry Handgun) Instructor
- CPR Certified, and severe trauma treatment medical training from Fieldcraft Survival
- Over 2,300 students trained; including local Wilmington and Federal Officers

- Graduate of Cerino Training Group– Combat Pistol Class
- Brian Zins of Top Shot, USMC, and Point Blank Range in Matthews, NC
- Chris Cerino and Brian Zins Instructors

- 2x Graduate of TMACS Inc.
- T.A.P.S. (Tactical Application of Practical Shooting)
- Pat “Patmac” McNamara Instructor

- Graduate of Massad Ayoob Group, MAG-20 Class “on the user of deadly force in self-defense”
- Massad Ayoob Instructor

- Three time Graduate of SHIV Works E.C.Q.C. (Extreme Close Quarters Concepts)
- Craig Douglas Instructor

- Graduate Warrior Poet Society Rifle 1 and Pistol 1 & 2
- Instructor John Lovell and Sam Houston