Merrimack Valley Firearms Academy LLC

Al MacArthur Jr. operates Merrimack Valley Firearms Academy LLC under the brand NH Gun Training. Based at Wilson Hill Pistol Club in Manchester (1732 Lake Shore Rd.), he's been shooting for over four and a half decades and brings that real-world perspective to every class he teaches.

Credentials that matter: - SAFTEA New England Regional Master Instructor (and serves on the SAFTEA Council of Master Instructors) - Graduate of Massad Ayoob Group (the gold standard for armed citizen training) - Certified Sig Sauer Academy Semi-Automatic Pistol Instructor - NRA Certified Instructor in 8 disciplines - NRA Chief Range Safety Officer - Keith Hanson Critical Dynamics Institute trained (active threat response) - FEMA training in mass casualty preparedness - Utah Non-Resident Concealed Carry Permit instructor - SABRE and POM certified pepper spray instructor

He's not just checking boxes. MacArthur completed the Rangemaster Instructor Development Course and has been an MAG Staff Instructor since 2014. That's legitimate professional development.

Handgun Training - F.A.S.T. Handgun (beginner) - Defensive Handgun 1, 2, 3 ($100 each) - Utah Non-Resident CCW Course ($83) - 2-Day Concealed Carry Course ($175)

Rifle & Shotgun - F.A.S.T. Carbine - F.A.S.T. Shotgun - Defensive Carbine 1, 2, 3 - Defensive Shotgun 1, 2, 3

Tactical & Emergency Response - S.A.F.E. - Civilian Response to Active Threat - S.A.F.E. - House of Worship Security - S.A.F.E. - Home and Vehicle Safety - S.A.F.E. First Aid (Bleeding, Trauma, Gunshot Wounds) - S.A.F.E. First Aid/CPR/AED - Sabre Pepper Spray Training - Use of Force/Simulator Training ($52)

Private Instruction - Private Lessons (bring your own guns/ammo) - $60 - Private Simulator Lessons (per person) - $35

For those looking to teach, MacArthur offers full SAFTEA instructor development across handgun, carbine, and shotgun disciplines. Range Officer and instructor certifications available.

"The instructional section was chock full of information that I can put to use immediately and was presented in a way that made sense and was memorable. But the drills were my favorite part. The drills Al chose really drove home the message that just knowing how to shoot isn't enough when it comes to personal protection." — Mike K., 2014

"All of it, from start to finish, was good, useful information and solid practical training. One certainly cannot defend oneself from what one cannot see." — Mark J., 2014

MacArthur co-hosts a monthly New Hampshire Firearms Law Day at Wilson Hill with Don Gorman and criminal defense attorney Seth Hipple. This three-hour course ($50) covers: - Buying, selling, carrying, concealing law in NH - Interstate transport regulations - Defensive shooting vs. criminal shooting (the legal line matters) - Your 5th Amendment rights - Real "what if" scenario training

This is the class that saves you from making a legal mistake in a defensive situation.

Wilson Hill Pistol Club 1732 Lake Shore Rd., Manchester, NH 03109 All classes held here unless otherwise noted

Wilson Hill itself is an iconic venue—founded in 1935, 180+ members, central location with easy access from anywhere in New Hampshire.

Classes typically run 8am-4:30pm for full-day courses. 2023/24 schedule includes: - November 5 (Sunday): F.A.S.T. Handgun - $100 - November 18: S.A.F.E. Bleeding Management - Regular SAFTEA listings at saftdinstructors.org

Payment via Wilson Hill's online system; print receipt and bring to class.

[email protected] is the best contact method.

MacArthur has also been featured in: - Massad Ayoob's blog (recognition from the industry standard) - "Rock, Paper, Hand Grenades" TV show - Radio interviews on firearms training and responsible ownership - Granite Grok articles on Second Amendment topics

From his website: "Knowledge, awareness, avoidance and preparedness are the keys to self defense." He's not selling mystique or brand names. He's teaching accountability—that every shot you fire has legal and ethical weight, and you need to be mentally and legally prepared before the moment happens.

That's the difference between owning a gun and being trained to use one responsibly.