Petersen Firearms Instruction

Petersen Firearms Instruction is run by Jason and Tony Petersen, both career law enforcement officers who've been training shooters since 1999. Jason has been a cop since 1990 and won the "Top Shooter" award at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy. Tony's been a peace officer since 1994. Between them, they hold 20+ instructor certifications from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy, NRA-Law Enforcement Division, and specialized training organizations like Strategos International, Last Resort Firearms Training, and ALICE Training.

Permit-to-Carry Courses - Iowa Permit to Carry Weapons ($50-$150) - Minnesota Permit to Carry Handgun ($75 renewal) - Arizona Concealed Weapon Permit - Iowa Educator Professional Permit to Carry Weapons (for school employees)

All permit courses cover firearm safety, legal and ethical use of force, marksmanship, and preparation for deadly force incidents. Classes meet the training requirements set by law in each state.

Defensive Firearms Training (counted toward Iowa permit training requirement) - Handgun I, II, III (includes women-only section for Handgun I) - Rifle/Carbine I, II, III - Shotgun I, II - Introduction to Handguns ($135) – for new or rusty shooters

Armed Professional Program ($1,000 for 5-day course) This is their signature course: Response to the Active Killer/Mass Casualty Event. Designed for educators, business owners, church security, and event security staff. Covers shoot/don't shoot scenarios, force law, medical response, mindset, stress mitigation, and includes the same qualification course Iowa peace officers must pass. Limited to 10 students per class. Prerequisite: valid Permit to Carry Weapons.

Law Enforcement Training Custom qualification and training courses for police agencies at their facility or yours.

Jason Petersen holds certifications in handgun, shotgun, open sight rifle, and patrol rifle instruction from Iowa LE Academy. He's also an NRA-certified tactical handgun, tactical shooting, and select-fire instructor. Additional training includes red dot sight pistol (Modern Samurai Project, Mission Critical Concepts), active shooter response, and advanced hostage rescue. He's an AR-15 armorer and frequent guest instructor at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy.

Tony Petersen is certified in handgun, shotgun, and open sight rifle instruction through Iowa LE Academy. He holds NRA handgun/shotgun credentials and specialized certifications in low-light shooting, active shooter response, and red dot sight pistols. Past certifications included less-lethal munitions and TASER. He's an armorer for Glock, AR-15, and Smith & Wesson M&P pistols.

Both are NRA members (Jason is a Benefactor; Tony is a Life Member) and active in hunting and conservation groups – Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever sponsor members.

Most permit courses require nothing but the desire to learn. The Armed Professional program requires you to already have an Iowa Permit to Carry Weapons and provide your own firearm, ammunition, holster, and eye/hearing protection (some equipment can be loaned with prior arrangement).

For all courses, pre-payment is required to secure your spot.