About Us
Ballistic Training Works is a Southern California based firearms training and security consulting service.
We specialize in small arms (pistol, rifle and shotgun) instruction, training, safety, tactics and general firearms operations.
Our primary focus is to bring professional training and education about the firearms industry to the vast audience of gun owners, potential gun owners and all those interested in expanding their personal knowledge and understand.
How to Contact Us
Please email us: info@ballistictrainingworks.com
Our training schedule and availability is always changing, so if you are interested in setting up training or just want more info, please reach out and we will be in contact with you as soon as possible.
Training Opportunities & Pricing
Basic Pistol Lessons start at $149 per individual for approx. 2 hours. (Ammunition is currently extremely limited and cost is based on current range rates.) Includes approx. 1 hr of classroom instruction followed by approx. 1 hr of live fire range time (typically 50-100 rounds of ammunition). Individuals are welcome to bring their own personal (modern and maintained) firearm, but it is not necessary as they can be provided as part of the lesson.
Family and/or Group Lessons start at $199 (+$25 per person) - Up to 6 individuals in a group lesson. Covers basic pistol, rifle or shotgun fundamentals (lesson is tailored based on needs). Live fire range time will vary based on training location, and type of training required. (Ammunition is currently extremely limited and cost is based on current range rates.)
NOTE: All students (over 18) will be required to provide government issued personal identification, and sign a release of liability prior to any and all classroom or range time.
Instructor Qualifications
Our primary instructor (Alexander Houghtling) is a certified NRA (National Rifle Association) Firearms Instructor and Range Safety Officer. He is also a certified instructor for the State of California and can administer all necessary portions of the Firearms Safety Certificate (required to purchase a firearm in CA). He has over 15 years of professional training provided by multiple training agencies and has trained hundreds of private and professionals alike. Alex has been an avid hunter, outdoorsman and firearms enthusiast since he was young. He worked at a local shooting range where he acquired his professional NRA certifications. He has spent years training with some of the most elite instructors and industry professional in the country. He has spent a great deal of time developing and refining how to safety and efficiently teach individuals the skills necessary to be a safe and proficient firearms operator.
Questions & Answers
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Training is all based on customer desire and existing experience. Each lesson is custom tailored to the individuals needs. Students with little to no experience with firearms will be walked though NRA standards and basic firearms training which may or may not include live fire exercise if the students desire.
More advanced students have the opportunity to have professional range time guidance to help improve multiple aspects of firearm fundamentals, tactics and/or specific skill building.
What types of students have we worked with?
We work with all types of students ranging from complete beginners to seasoned professionals. We teach whole families and ladies on a regular basis. Our goal is to help everyone feel comfortable with firearms, encourage safety and assist with obtaining and/or the ability to effectively operate a firearm at the end of our classes.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire one of our instructors?
Anyone who thinks they can "Google" or watch YouTube videos, and somehow think they understand firearms is only fooling themselves. While some basics can be learned from a video, you really do need professional assistance from someone who has the real world experience if you want to be safe, successful and truly educated. It's just like any other learned skill, the better the teacher, the more successful the student.
What questions should students think through before talking to us about their needs?
** The operation and/or use of a firearm can be inherently dangerous. Any and all individuals seeking professional firearm instruction should be fully aware of their individual, legal and/or criminally prohibited status before attending any firearm's class. **
Firearm Safety Certificate Program (FSC) - Required by California to purchase a firearm
Effective January 1, 2015, the Handgun Safety Certificate program was replaced with the Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC) program. Under the FSC program, requirements that previously applied to handguns only now apply to all firearms (handguns and long guns), unless exempt. A list of exemptions is available on this website.
A valid Handgun Safety Certificate can still be used to purchase/acquire handguns only until it expires. For long gun purchases/acquisitions made January 1, 2015, and thereafter, an FSC will be required. Once an FSC is obtained, it can be used for both handgun and long gun purchases/acquisitions.
FSCs are acquired by taking and passing a written test on firearm safety, generally at participating firearms dealerships and private firearms training facilities. A Firearm Safety Certificate Study Guide to help individuals prepare for the FSC test is available for viewing/downloading from this website. A Firearm Safety webinar is also available for viewing or download on the Videos page.
The firearm safety demonstration protocols and DOJ Certified Instructor standards have been established and implemented by DOJ. An explanation of the firearm safety demonstration can be found starting on page 12 of the Firearm Safety Certificate Study Guide.
The following forms and publications are available at https://oag.ca.gov/firearms/forms
