American Firearms Training

American Firearms Training operates out of Englewood, Florida, in the heart of Southwest Florida. Steve Gardiner is the Chief Instructor—a military-trained, NRA Certified Range Safety Officer with credentials in Basic Pistol & Rifle Instruction, Personal Protection in the Home, Home Firearm Safety, Personal Protection Outside the Home, and Refuse to be a Victim instruction.

Whether you're a new gun owner looking to get your Florida Concealed Weapon/Firearm License (CWFL), brush up on defensive skills, or learn proper gun handling, AFT handles all three.

The classroom portion meets at 180 Spyglass Alley, Placida, FL 33946. The range portion is held at Knights Trail Park Shooting Range (3445 Rustic Rd., Nokomis, Florida)—about 25 minutes from the classroom via I-75, exit 195, Laurel Rd.

All courses exceed Florida's concealed carry requirements and qualify you to apply for the CWFL. Your Florida license is valid in 37 states.

• •Basics of Pistol Shooting — Learn safety, shooting fundamentals, and pistol maintenance. Qualifies for Florida concealed carry license.
• •NRA Basics of Personal Protection in the Home — Home defense techniques and invasion prevention strategies.
• •NRA Basics of Personal Protection Outside the Home — Concealed carry techniques, situational awareness, and safe use of firearms for self-defense outside the home.
• •Florida Concealed Weapon/Firearm License (CWFL) Class — Dedicated course for concealed carry licensure.

All classes include: Live instruction from insured NRA Certified Instructors, video and PowerPoint presentations, detailed information on legal aspects of self-defense, and hands-on live-fire training at the range.

If you don't own a firearm, you can rent a high-quality modern pistol: - .22 caliber or 9mm pistols: $20.00 for the range portion - First come, first served on rental availability - You must purchase ammunition from AFT — they use only high-quality factory-made target ammunition suitable for the rental pistol - No reloads permitted for safety reasons

If you bring your own pistol, the instructor will inspect it before range use and reserves the right to reject any firearm deemed unsafe or unsuitable for the course. All firearms must be unloaded and cased—ammunition stays in your vehicle.

Tuition is payable in advance and accepts MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover Card (no personal checks unless prior arrangements made). Tuition fees are non-refundable, but if you miss a class due to unforeseen circumstances, you can reschedule. If you no-show more than twice in a six-month period, you permanently forfeit tuition.

• •Groups of 5+: Discounts available for the same course
• •Evening classes: Available for groups of 5+ during the work-week (no group discount pricing for evening courses)
• •Private instruction: Available in your office, home, or at AFT for an additional fee
• •Hourly instruction: Personal firearm training payable by the hour

AFT operates on the principle that "Train for the worst, hope for the best." Their core belief: firearms ownership comes with responsibility to be proficient in their use and knowledgeable in applicable law. You are responsible for every round you fire, which is why quality training matters.

The organization emphasizes that accepting three basic principles leads to competent ownership: (1) everything that can go wrong will eventually go wrong, (2) no one knows it all—there's always more to learn, and (3) there are always faster, better techniques to develop.

Florida became the first state in 1987 to issue concealed weapons/firearm licenses. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Division of Licensing regulates the program.

All AFT courses exceed the requirements for a Florida CWFL. Your Florida license is valid for reciprocity in 37 states.

• •Photo ID required for all students
• •Liability waiver and criminal history affirmation required (download and bring the Training Waiver form)
• •Staff are not attorneys — the information provided is broad general guidance about firearms and self-defense. For specific legal questions, consult an attorney familiar with Florida Statute 790 and deadly force laws.

AFT operates an online gun store with handguns, rifles, shotguns, and firearm accessories from over 350 different manufacturers worldwide, including Colt, Beretta, Bersa, Glock, Kahr Arms, Mossberg, Ruger, Smith & Wesson, Sig Sauer, Springfield, and many others.