Gun Smart Nola
GunSmartNOLA is built around one premise: with 9-1-1 response times measured in minutes or hours, you need to be your own first responder. Mark Shreve, the lead instructor, comes from law enforcement and private security—experience that shapes every class he teaches. The Louisiana state-approved cou...
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GunSmartNOLA is built around one premise: with 9-1-1 response times measured in minutes or hours, you need to be your own first responder. Mark Shreve, the lead instructor, comes from law enforcement and private security—experience that shapes every class he teaches.
The Louisiana state-approved course is a full nine-hour day covering:
- •Pistol fundamentals — ammunition knowledge, shooting mechanics, and proper handling
- •Louisiana self-defense law — detailed breakdown of RS 14:19, 14:20, and use-of-force statutes
- •Home defense and storage — unauthorized access prevention and secure storage strategies
- •Firearm maintenance — cleaning, basic upkeep, and safe handling routines
- •Conflict resolution — when to de-escalate, when to defend, decision-making under stress
Students consistently report: More material than expected. People with 65+ years of shooting experience walk out having learned new things.
- •LA Concealed Handgun Class — State-approved permit training (21+, Louisiana residents)
- •Refuse to Be a Victim Seminar — Awareness and avoidance strategies
- •NRA Basic Pistol Training — Foundational pistol skills and safety
Mark Shreve brings decades in security management and law enforcement (including NOPD detail work at high-profile citywide events). Feedback from students emphasizes his teaching style—detailed and information-dense without being overwhelming. He mixes the technical content with storytelling and light banter to keep engagement high, and he works to involve the class rather than lecture at it.
The reality: violent crime in New Orleans runs 20+ times higher than military deployment risk in Afghanistan. Police response times vary widely—sometimes minutes, often longer. When seconds matter, waiting for law enforcement isn't a viable self-defense plan. GunSmartNOLA addresses that gap with training that emphasizes responsible ownership, legal knowledge, and practical skill.
"The full day of classroom training was very important and especially the time we'd spent reviewing and discussing Louisiana State Laws...As a RESPONSIBLE gun owner, it is important to understand the laws and limitations." — Susan D., New Orleans, LA
Materials: Concealed Carry Fundamentals study guide available at class for $30.