One Shot Firearms Academy
One Shot Firearms Academy is founded and operated by Sergeant Major KiOwana E. Phillips, an active-duty military instructor recognized by the NRA, ABC, NBC, NAAGA, and featured in USCCA Concealed Carry Magazine. Her academy serves shooters across Raeford and Fayetteville, NC, plus Fort Knox and Eliz...
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One Shot Firearms Academy is founded and operated by Sergeant Major KiOwana E. Phillips, an active-duty military instructor recognized by the NRA, ABC, NBC, NAAGA, and featured in USCCA Concealed Carry Magazine. Her academy serves shooters across Raeford and Fayetteville, NC, plus Fort Knox and Elizabethtown, KY—delivering structured, safety-focused training for everyone from first-time shooters to experienced gun owners.
This isn't classroom-only instruction. Every course includes:
- •Classroom fundamentals covering handgun safety, North Carolina concealed carry law, and responsible gun ownership
- •Live-fire range time where students apply what they learned under direct supervision
- •Individual pacing — instructors work with each student at their level, whether you've never touched a firearm or you've been shooting for decades
- •Confidence that sticks — students consistently report leaving the course feeling prepared, not just certified
Veteran-owned and operated. Sergeant Major Phillips brings military-grade organization, professionalism, and safety discipline to every class.
| Course Type | Who It's For | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Concealed Carry/CCDW | Anyone seeking NC concealed carry permit | State law, legal considerations, handgun fundamentals, qualification shooting |
| Women's Handgun & Protection | Women of all experience levels | Handgun basics, safety, defensive mindset, range time in a women-only environment |
| Family Gun Safety | Families with children | Multi-generational safety education, age-appropriate instruction, hands-on range experience |
| Couples Handgun Course | Partners learning together | Joint instruction, shared experience, mutual confidence-building |
| Firearms Instructor Business Course | People starting their own training business | Business fundamentals, curriculum design, teaching methodology, student management |
| Beginner Handgun | First-time shooters | Everything from grip to trigger control to shot placement |
| Mentorship & Advanced Training | Existing students | One-on-one coaching, skill refinement, specialized topics |
Testimonials from students reveal patterns:
> "I went in very nervous about handling my firearm and came out very confident knowing how to handle it. KiOwana is very knowledgeable about firearms and laws and the best instructor." — Shica B.
> "As a woman, I felt so much more comfortable with a female instructor. Not only is she knowledgeable and confident, she's hilarious and precious. Everyone seemed relaxed with her instruction." — Amy B.
> "I went to Kio after a very unfortunate event where I was a victim of a gunshot wound. I was left with PTSD, and this course was very helpful for my recovery process." — Jonathan L.
> "I knew nothing about guns entering this course, and I left feeling a lot more confident about my ability to safely use one. I gained a life-changing amount of knowledge and hands-on practice in a short amount of time." — Shauna S.
Students also report that kids feel comfortable in her classes—she runs family courses where children learn safety alongside parents, and parents consistently note that their kids pass the maturity test and gain genuine confidence.
Sergeant Major Phillips doesn't just deliver information. She:
- •Breaks down complex topics so they actually stick—students understand the "why," not just the "what"
- •Creates a pressure-free environment where people who've been intimidated by firearms find their footing
- •Provides individual feedback on the range, catching bad habits early and building correct technique
- •Shows up prepared — materials sent in advance, organized curriculum, clear progression through topics
- •Brings authenticity — her military background is visible in the professionalism and structure, not forced or distant
One Shot Firearms Academy operates in: - North Carolina: Raeford, Fayetteville, and surrounding areas - Kentucky: Fort Knox, Elizabethtown, and surrounding areas
Classes are available on weekdays and weekends, with family and couples courses scheduled for people who need flexible timing.
The academy also offers Self-Protection Keychains in various configurations. Details and ordering available through the Facebook page or by emailing [email protected].
In a market flooded with online certifications and boilerplate classes, One Shot stands out because:
1. Actual expertise — military background combined with training credentials 2. Female-led instruction — significant for women shooters who prefer learning from a woman, and for kids seeing a Black woman military instructor as their teacher 3. Real range time — not a certificate-mill that sends you to a range you've never met 4. Student-centered pacing — you're not rushed through material; understanding is the goal 5. Consistent results — patterns across 100+ testimonials showing students leave more confident than they arrived
Whether you're getting your concealed carry permit, teaching your family about guns safely, starting your own instruction business, or recovering from trauma and rebuilding confidence, One Shot Firearms Academy delivers structured, professional training from someone who's lived the material.