Shooting Fun Starts with Training

After spending time as a USMC combat engineer, Andrew joined the Shoot Smart family in 2017. He quickly became a great instructor sharing his vast knowledge from his experience in the Marines, numerous courses, and certifications. Andrew is especially good at helping students take their LTC skills to the next level and work on concealment methods and defensive pistol tactics. In addition, he feels called to train others so that they can protect themselves and their loved ones should they ever need to. Andrew is one of three Shoot Smart instructors to recently become USCCA certified instructors in Concealed Carry & Home Defense and Defensive Shooting Fundamentals.

INSTRUCTOR Q&A

Why do you enjoy shooting?

Shooting has always been something I understand and pick up quickly. I enjoy the challenge of constantly refining my skills mentally and physically. I have always felt a call to protect people by training myself and others so that they have the skills and confidence to be in charge of their own safety and to protect their loved ones.

What is your favorite part about teaching lessons?

I probably get more excited than my students do when I see the improvement and leaps forward they take. I enjoy developing a close relationship with my students so that I know them and can be of better service to their needs. My favorite thing is receiving thank you cards as well as whole families that come in together to learn and knowing that you have made a difference in their lives.

#1 safety tip

Respect firearms but do not fear them. Learning everything you can builds knowledge and confidence in order to handle them safely in all situations.

Chip has over 35 years of shooting experience and firearms maintenance. He is knowledgeable and personable with his students and peers alike. Chip will create an enjoyable training experience for all his students.

INSTRUCTOR Q&A

Why do you enjoy shooting?

I enjoy shooting for the camaraderie and challenge.

What is your favorite part about teaching lessons?

Seeing the students' eyes light up when they reach understanding.

#1 safety tip

Treat all guns as if they are loaded.

Laurie specializes in teaching and training all new shooters, especially women who feel more comfortable learning from another woman who understands their hesitations regarding firearms. Her calm and comforting demeanor and teaching style instantly puts people at ease and paves the way for training success. She is a mother with a unique passion for teaching women and men the basics of firearms and firearm safety. Learning the tools necessary to defend you and your family and knowing you are capable of doing so without panic is an empowering and life changing skill that Laurie loves to pass on to others.

INSTRUCTOR Q&A

Why do you enjoy shooting?

I enjoy challenging myself to keep learning and pushing myself to do things I never thought I could.

What is your favorite part about teaching lessons?

Empowering others to feel confident while shooting.

#1 safety tip

Always treat all firearms as if they are loaded whether you think they are or not.

Joyce is originally from Wisconsin but has lived in a variety of states. She grew up around firearms and learned at an early age how to respect them. She took her first shot when she was 10 years old, shooting her dad’s .22 hunting rifle. Joyce comes from a law enforcement, military and hunting family. Joyce herself has never been in law enforcement or the military – her career before Shoot Smart was with the newspaper industry in sales, marketing and training. Since joining Shoot Smart in May of 2017, Joyce has worked to enhance her shooting and training skills, and firearm knowledge. She is an NRA Range Safety Officer and NRA Certified Pistol Instructor. Besides being one of our private instructors, Joyce teaches New Shooter, On Target, Trouble Shooting and Rapid Fire for our Path to Proficiency classes. She is also certified to teach Texas License to Carry classes. Joyce especially enjoys working with new shooters, and seeing them experience their very first shot. This can be an empowering and life-changing moment. It can also be a scary and startling moment, but Joyce strives to take away some of the scary through education. She enjoys seeing the progress of her students as they develop their shooting skills. Joyce takes pride in helping students understand how firearms work and how to handle them safely and confidently. Outside of Shoot Smart, Joyce enjoys  reading, traveling, photography, and genealogy research about her family.

INSTRUCTOR Q&A

Why do you enjoy shooting?

I like how shooting challenges me mentally and physically. It also provides me with a way to protect myself or my family if that situation ever arises. Plus, it’s a fun sport!

What is your favorite part about teaching lessons?

I love it when my students want to continue building their skills and schedule additional private lessons, or enroll in a class. Learning to shoot is not a one and done. It takes time to develop shooting skills, and to keep them current.

#1 safety tip

Keep your firearm pointed in a safe direction, and keep you finger off the trigger until you are on target and ready to shoot.

Bradley joined the ShootSmart team in November 2013, bringing his extensive training with the NRA as a certified instructor for Chief Range Safety Officer, NRA Basic Pistol, and Personal Protection in the Home. He is also licensed by the State of Texas to teach the License to Carry (LTC) and as a Level III Firearms Instructor. In addition, he is a certified instructor for Rangemaster and the Modern Samurai Project. He has also  trained with Palisades Training Group, Green Ops, and PressCheck Consulting and is a certified Glock armorer. Much of Bradley’s experience comes from his 30 years as a public servant where he managed the Taxpayer Advocate Bureau for California’s largest tax agency. As the Taxpayer Rights Advocate, he managed groups responsible for federal reporting, tax settlements, information security, business reporting, tax advocacy, and legislation. Bradley has a passion for teaching new shooters to help them better understand firearms and how to properly use them while increasing their shooting ability.

INSTRUCTOR Q&A

Why do you enjoy shooting?

I have always enjoyed the challenge of shooting accurately.

What's your favorite part about teaching lessons?

I love sharing my passion with others and watching them gain confidence and increase their skills with firearms.

#1 safety tip

Treat every firearm as if it’s loaded.

Paul joined Shoot Smart in October of 2022. He is a native Texan, a certified NRA basic pistol instructor and Range Safety Officer. Paul grew up on a ranch shooting BB guns, and eventually a .22 caliber rifle and 12 gauge shotgun. His love of firearms grew when he was introduced to the action pistol sports and he spent the better part of two decades as an IDPA and USPSA competitor.  Paul is constantly practicing and training to improve his own skills. 

INSTRUCTOR Q&A

Why do you enjoy shooting?

I enjoy shooting because I love that there is always something I can learn or improve.

What is your favorite part about teaching lessons?

Seeing the joy and excitement that new shooters experience when they make their first shots, and I love to see the smile on shooters’ faces when they hit the bullseye for the first time.

#1 safety tip

Use a barrel block to practice dry-fire safely at home.

Joe Loza joined the ShootSmart team in March 2011, bringing over 13 years of experience as a US Army Veteran. Joe was selected and spent six months in Kuwait as a Range Safety NCO, he led and trained soldiers in the safe and effective use of firearms in preparation for movement into Iraq. Joe's military service also includes more than five years in the Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In addition to his military expertise, Joe is an NRA-certified Chief Range Safety Officer, NRA Basic Pistol Instructor, and a NRA Refuse to Be a Victim Instructor. With a strong passion for both Personal and Home Defense, Joe is dedicated to providing high-quality instruction to shooters of all levels. Whether working with beginners or helping students advance their skills, Joe offers a patient, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic training experience. Joe’s diverse training background includes extensive firearms and tactical knowledge. He is one of two ShootSmart instructors who has been USCCA certified in Concealed Carry & Home Defense and Defensive Shooting Fundamentals. Over his 13 years at ShootSmart, Joe has instilled confidence in hundreds of students, helping them develop safe and effective firearms skills. When he’s not involved in all the activities of Shoot Smart, Joe enjoys spending time with his family. He’s available for private instruction and is consistently training our trainers. 

INSTRUCTOR Q&A

Why do you enjoy shooting?

I enjoy the challenge as well as the confidence it builds to protect yourself and others if necessary.

What's your favorite part about teaching lessons?

I love giving others the confidence and excitement that comes with increasing their shooting skills.

#1 safety tip

Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire.

Robbie specializes in teaching and training new shooters. He really focuses on educating every student, teaching firearm function and safety. He has been shooting for over 7 years and has his LTC. Robbie spends his time working on defensive training and accuracy. He also loves to shoot for fun and is always taking his time to test different firearms. His humor and positive energy put people at ease while they are at the range. Robbie continues to take additional training courses to expand his own knowledge and better assist his students.

INSTRUCTOR Q&A

Why do you enjoy shooting?

It’s fun shooting different firearms and it brings me a sense of peace.

What is your favorite part about teaching lessons?

Taking the time to help people get comfortable with a firearm while simultaneously spreading safety and firearm knowledge.

#1 Safety tip

Keep you finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot in a safe direction.

I have had familiarity with guns my whole life but I started taking my training and knowledge seriously back in 2020. All of my training comes from a civilian, average person standpoint, just like many of the new shooters we get to Shoot Smart. Training as a civilian is different than training as a soldier or law enforcement, making my perspective on learning firearms very similar to many of the students I hope to teach. 

INSTRUCTOR Q&A

Why do you enjoy shooting?

I enjoy shooting because it’s a physical discipline with a lot to learn. It’s a great way to have fun, relieve stress, and is very practical for the real world.

What's your favorite part about teaching lessons?

The confidence people gain from my instruction; it makes me feel like I make a real impact.

#1 safety tip

Always treat the firearm as if it is loaded and ready to fire.

Earnest has been involved in shooting activities for most of his life. He received his first firearm (a shotgun) when he was ten, began shooting skeet in junior high, and started shooting handguns competitively in high school. In addition to his proficiency with an extensive range of handguns, shotguns, and rifles spanning a period of over 60 years, Earnest has a keen passion for teaching with over 45 years experience helping others achieve their training goals - first as an FAA-certificated flight instructor, FAA Accident Prevention Councilor, and FAASTeam Drone Specialist; later as a classroom and field instructor at the high school and college/university levels (Earnest holds both BFA and MFA degrees.); and currently as a firearms and personal safety instructor. Earnest is an NRA Basic Pistol Instructor, NRA certified Chief Range Safety Officer, former Texas certified Level III Security Officer Firearms Instructor (Handgun and Shotgun), NRA certified Refuse To Be A Victim Instructor, and an NRA designated Expert Marksman.

INSTRUCTOR Q&A

Why do you enjoy shooting?

I’ve been shooting for so long that asking that question is almost like asking, “Why do you enjoy breathing?” But I guess I could answer that question by saying that it’s given me a lifetime of fond memories: of honing skills; of early mornings in the woods (with all those wonderful sights, sounds, and smells); of the camaraderie of other shooting sports enthusiasts; and (on a couple of occasions) thwarting individuals who meant others harm.

What’s your favorite part about teaching lessons?

I enjoy helping others find the firearm that is their perfect fit; instilling in other shooting enthusiasts the vital importance of gun safety; developing their marksmanship skills; and helping clients to discover the FUN to be found in shooting sports.

#1 safety tip

Obey ALL firearm safety rules ALL the time.