Arena Gun Club Classes

Arena Gun Club Classes offers USCCA and NRA instruction for shooters at every level. Located at 6501 Arena Blvd in Laredo, the facility runs monthly classes covering everything from beginner fundamentals to advanced home defense strategy.

Two lead instructors run the program:

Lori A. Ortiz - Certified USCCA Firearms Instructor, Texas License to Carry Instructor, and NRA Range Safety Officer. Since 2015, she's focused on creating an inviting environment where students gain both skills and confidence in firearm handling.

Courtney Ferris - Also USCCA certified, Texas LTC instructor, and NRA Range Safety Officer. Joined in 2014 and builds custom lesson plans tailored to individual skill levels.

Most classes run once monthly. Several offer both 1-hour mini courses and full 4-hour deep dives.

License to Carry - Exceeds state requirements. Classroom-based covering license protocols, legal issues, use of force laws, basic safety, and marksmanship review.

Introduction to Shooting - Stance, grip, sight alignment, common malfunctions, and differences between double action, single action, revolvers, handguns, and rifles.

Women's Handgun & Self-Defense - Same fundamentals as intro class plus situational awareness. Taught by female instructor in women-only setting for comfortable first-timer learning.

Children's Firearm Safety - For kids 8-18, parents, and anyone living with children and firearms. Covers teaching kids about safety, what to do if they find a firearm, proper storage, and trusted adults to contact.

Concealed Carry & Home Defense - Not an LTC class. Focuses on situational awareness, how to avoid looking like a target, home invasion response, and home security steps.

Countering the Mass Shooter Threat - Uses actual data on police response times, high-risk locations, and 48 documented cases. Teaches emergency action planning for worst-case scenarios.

Emergency First Aid Fundamentals - Basic first aid and lifesaving techniques. Covers patient assessment, arterial/venous bleeding, airway compromise, head/chest/spinal injuries, fractures, burns, and cardiac events.

Eddie the Eagle - Free NRA kids' program for ages 5-10. Non-shooting class teaching "Stop, Don't Touch, Run Away, Tell a Grownup." Kids receive coloring book and crayons. Parents get educational brochures and free gun cable lock.

USCCA-certified instructors customize lessons to your skill level. Train with rifle, revolver, or handgun depending on your goals. Requirements: your firearm, 50 rounds of ammunition, eye and ear protection, and determination.

"The staff there is awesome, helpful and willing to go above and beyond your needs! The facility is TOP NOTCH. Can't say enough good things about them." - Carlos Hernandez

"Great range and the staff are friendly, knowledgeable and attentive to safety." - Manda M.

The facility is clean, well-maintained, and voted #1 Thing to Do in Laredo on TripAdvisor. Beyond classes, Arena Gun Club operates a full shooting range, offers rentals, hosts group events and parties, and runs a restaurant on-site.