OWNER, CO-FOUNDER

A Lifelong Passion for the Shooting Sports
Jeff was first introduced to shooting at just five years old by his father, Dave — an experience that sparked a lifelong passion for firearms. He’s been around guns ever since, developing a deep respect for safety, skill, and personal responsibility.

Military Service and Experience
At seventeen, Jeff enlisted in the Delaware Army National Guard with the 153rd Military Police Company. Before that, he was active in The Young Marines and Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps programs, both of which built the foundation for his discipline and attention to detail.

During his eight years of service, Jeff deployed to Iraq with the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, earned his Excellence in Competition badge and Governor’s Twenty tab for marksmanship, and supported local authorities during natural disasters back home.

Professional Firearms Industry Background
Outside the military, Jeff has spent years working in the firearms industry — serving as a Range Officer for Delaware’s Division of Fish & Wildlife, working as a Sales Associate with First State Firearms of Delaware, and completing countless hours of training in firearms safety, manipulation, and concealed carry.

Certified Firearms Instructor
Jeff is an NRA Certified Instructor and Range Safety Officer. He has been proudly teaching with First State Firearms Training since its founding in 2008, helping shooters of all experience levels build confidence and competence on the range.

Commitment to Responsible Carry
Jeff obtained his first Delaware Concealed Carry of a Deadly Weapon (CCDW) permit at the age of eighteen — a milestone that marked the beginning of his lifelong dedication to responsible firearm ownership and education.

CO-FOUNDER

From New York Roots to a Lifelong Career in Service
Dave Johnson grew up in Western New York and later attended college in Schenectady, where he earned a degree in Civil Engineering. Shortly after graduation, he began a distinguished career in the United States Air Force, serving as a Civil Engineer, Environmental Engineer, and Staff Officer from 1969 until his retirement in 1990. Over the course of more than twenty years — including five and a half years overseas — Dave dedicated himself to the mission, the people, and the profession of military service.

A Passion for Marksmanship and Instruction
During his time in the Air Force, Dave qualified Expert in handgun, rifle, and machine gun, and assisted with weapons training as well as chemical warfare instruction. His attention to safety, precision, and preparation became hallmarks of his teaching style — qualities he continues to pass on to students today.

Firearms Industry Experience
While still serving, Dave owned and operated Johnson’s Sporting Goods, a federally licensed firearms dealership he ran for twelve years. After retiring from the Air Force, he spent two years with Jumbo Sports, where he rose to Hunting and Fishing Manager prior to the company’s closure in 1999. He later continued his passion for the shooting sports as a salesman at a local gun store for a decade before transitioning to full-time firearms instruction.

Certified Firearms Instructor
Dave is an NRA Certified Instructor in Basic Pistol and Personal Protection Inside the Home, as well as an *NRA Certified Range Safety Officer. He has been actively teaching since 2008, sharing decades of hands-on experience with students of all backgrounds and skill levels.

A Lifetime of Responsible Firearm Ownership
Dave received his first New York State Concealed Carry Permit in 1975 — a testament to his lifelong commitment to safe, responsible firearm use and education.