great class, fun and full of really valuable content and interactive demonstrations and practice exercises. great instructor'

Took my initial CCW initial class with instructor Paul in 2024 & was approved with Permitium within 30 days. The class was a state compliant course & was focused on firearms safety. Fast forward to 2026, and 712 days has gone by and I had to renew. My instructor was Alisha Curtin; who was amazing. She knew how to converse and keep the class engaged! Sign up, you will not be disappointed . 8 hours went by quickly. read more

Great experience!! I took the Ccw class with Alisha today and she was a great teacher, she gave me a few tips and it improved my shooting instantly. Before today I never thought about any classes besides the requirements but I look forward to signing up in the future. read more

Took my initial CCW 16-hour course with Alisha as the instructor. I was dreading sitting in a classroom for that long! But Alisha kept the entire class engaged & the time flew by. When we finally got to head to the range she knew exactly what was wrong with my grip & gave me some pointers so I could improve. I spent all night practicing the new grip & dry firing with my snap caps. The next day when I qualified my grouping was nice & tight with only 1 shot off centered but still in the target. Alisha is such a bad ass & also one of the best instructors I've ever had! She is a former High School teacher & definitely has the gift of teaching that I wish all my teachers had. Thanks again Alisha & I will definitely be back for the CCW Skill Builder course if I can catch it when you're instructing. read more

Alisha was awesome!! She is badass!! Super knowledgeable and such a sweet heart all in one. It was really nice to have her as an instructor. I'm sure Paul and Bob are really good as well but if I had to choose again I would definitely choose Alisha. Not only does she know hershe improved my shooting accuracy within less than a few minutes:)..I was so happy! She's great! Definitely pick her. read more

Excellent training to qualify you for a CCW permit! Alicia was my instructor for both class days. She is knowledgeable, personable, and presents the material in an engaged manner. Not to mention her expertise in firearms, current laws, and shooting is unsurpassed! I had an enjoyable experience, learned a tremendous amount of information and improved my shooting beyond expectations. I would highly recommend Alicia and 2nd A Firearms Training to anyone interested in acquiring a CCW permit or improving your firearms proficiency. read more

This was a very informative class. Alisha is extremely knowledgeable about gun safety and handling, and she explained the laws in a clear, non-partisan way. It made the class enjoyable because everything was factual and free of political angles. She kept the content engaging and took the time to answer everyone's questions with a phenomenal attitude. During the range portion, Alisha worked closely with us on proper grip, loading and unloading, and how to clear malfunctions. Her hands-on approach gave a lot of first-timers more confidence and comfort. 10/10 would recommend taking a course with Alisha. read more

Came here for my renewal and Paul has a wealth of knowledge and is patient with educating you on all aspects of gun safety and handling. Do not hesitate to schedule your training I highly recommend this firearm training read more

2nd 'A' Firearms Training - Instructor Paul showing us how to safety hold a hand gun. - Firearm Training Near Me - San Diego, California

Alicia Curtin was excellent, she provided great feedback as an instructor. She allowed me to be hands on and applied adjustments as needed. My knowledge of handling a weapon grew exponentially after our session. read more

Absolutely easy and friendly environment. Alisha made my CCW training experience comfortable, considering that this is a new area of my life. I felt welcome and was encouraged to interact. I walked away with a ton of knowledge and feel confident moving forward. Thank you to the team Alisha, Paul, and Adam. read more

This is not traffic school. Regardless of your experience I don't know how you would leave this class without learning something. I shot better after day one then shot better after day two. I left the tools I needed to get safer and better read more

Had a fantastic teacher this past Saturday for my initial CCW class with Alisha. She was informative and knowledgeable on all counts to get my CCW. She made feel confident and relaxed and it was a great group to be with. Thank you. read more

Hi Paul and Bill, Thanks for offering the CCW training. I wanted to give a shout out to my instructor, Alisha Curtin. Alisha was a great balance of professional, knowledgeable, and personable. She reviewed the law and gave several helpful case studies. Her instruction on the range was helpful and it seemed like she wanted to help me, and not make it about her expertise. Kudos should be given when due, and I'd highly recommend Alisha as an instructor for anyone considering an initial or renewal CCW course. Best regards, Jonathan read more

Had great CCW renewal training with Paul. 2A is great and I recommend it to everyone.

Bill was a great instructor, and the hands on demonstrations really helped me understand the advantages and limits of a CCW. He also was a knowledge bank of information, and was able to articulate them to the class. I will definitely be taking more training with these guys! read more

Just got my concealed carry training class here, very professional, small class and was easy to learn and ask as many questions as I wanted to. I had a last-minute illness and I had to cancel and they were nice enough to accommodate me and move me to the next class without any issues Highly suggested, if you can't handle someone being blunt and straightforward, you might not like the class, but if you actually want to learn, you will definitely like it read more

Just completed my renewal training with Paul and David as my instructors. Super grateful for the new skill sets on the range and for the information relayed through the class. I missed my first appointment due to some untimely oral surgery knowing they had a 48hr window to cancel, I paid for a 2nd class as I'm getting close to my lic. expiration date. They called me and inquired and refunded me the initial class. That is solid business in my opinion and I'll be happy to recommend this company to anyone. Excellent training, excellent business practices, this is as good as it gets right here. read more

First off i gotta say Paul Gooding is a dam good instructor. I learn so much yesterday from him about safety and how to have a firm grip on the firearm. Paul is very clear on his instructions and he dont fuck around when he tells you to keep your finger off the trigger while training. The 8 HR class went buy fast but was never a dull moment, i recommend this class to anybody who is going for the CCW or is learning how to handle a firearm I would definitely be taking some more follow-up classes with Paul in the future. Paul you Rock . Thank You. Terrence S read more

Excellent place to get your firearm training. Todd was an amazing instructor . 8 hours never went by so fast. I would highly recommend this facility for all your training needs. read more

I signed up with Paul and took my ccw class with Bill McLaren and let me tell you, I've been doing this for a long time and I learned a lot from Bill. He knows his stuff, straight to the point, doesn't waste time and is very results driven. Every minute of this class was well worth it and he also taught me a few things on the range to improve my grip. I'm in a wheelchair and Bill and his coworker helped me up to 2nd floor so I can take this class. They went above and beyond to accommodate for me and really treated me well. Definitely recommend these guys and I'm so glad to have knowledgeable instructors like Bill that will teach you stuff you will never see on YouTube or gun groups online. Also I'm signing up my lady to do some training with Paul and I'll be definitely coming back for more class time myself.. Thank you for everything guys! read more

2nd 'A' Firearms Training - Bill McLaren - Firearm Training Near Me - San Diego, California

I needed to find a knowledgeable and approved training course for my 8 hour CCW Permit. All roads lead to Paul Gooding at 2A firearm training. 30 minutes into Paul's course and I realized how much I didn't know, and how many bad habits and poor gun handling skills I had acquired over the years. It's a humbling experience to know that you've been doing things wrong for half of your life, especially when you are an avid recreational shooter like myself. Paul is all about SAFTEY and his knowledge and skills are second to none. He explains things in a smooth and methodical approach that helps you really understand the seriousness of having a CCW, and your responsibilities as a confident gun owner in California and across the nation. His experience and professional manner made this training a must for any gun enthusiast. If you feel you are a expert gun owner, you will be delightfully surprised at his practical insights, as well as clever tips and tricks to making you a better marksman and safer gun owner. You can't beat the price, and the lessons learned are worth ten times the cost of the class. I've already scheduled my follow up lesson to learn even more hands on application and classes. When was the last time you had a pro stand along side you at the range and improve your skill level in real time. Two Thumbs Up !!! read more

I just finished their 8hr ccw class, and I couldn't have asked for a better experience. I've previously went through CCW classes in other states, and they were nothing like this class. Paul did an excellent job in the classroom answering any and all questions we had. He stressed the importance of what carrying a firearm actually means, it's not something that should be taken lightly. The emphasis on firearms safety and handling was a huge part of this session. The instructors are extremely knowledgeable, and won't let you get away with poor firearm handling. Coffee, snacks and drinks were provided for students, there's a bathroom 2 doors down for convenience and there was plenty of parking arriving early. When we moved to the range, the attention to detail and firearm safety was further emphasized, and rightfully so. Paul and Dave were beyond helpful on the shooting portion, and even went as far to help you adjust your shooting grip and stance to be a better shooter. I would not hesitate to book your CCW training with these guys, or any future training which I plan to do with them. You are getting your monies worth with this class, and the amount of experience the instructors have to offer make this an absolute bargain. I can't wait to do some more training with these guys in the future. Thanks again! read more

I completed my CCW training yesterday at 2nd "A" Firearms. I was a bit apprehensive before going, but it turned out to be quite fun. Paul Gooding was our instructor. I didn't want to consume a weekend with this, so their class offering on Wednesday attracted me. There were 7 people counting myself, in a class intended for up to 10 people. Paul made the course practical, informative, and FUN. There is an indoor shooting range next door, so the shooting portion of the course was convenient, and I discovered a new range I had never visited. Paul critiqued my grip and my gun felt much more comfortable in my hands, and I shot better. For all firearms training, especially certification for CCW, I highly recommend 2nd "A." If you are lucky you will get Paul. read more

Had my 8 hr CCW class today. I have been handling and shooting guns for over 40 years. I went in with an open mind but figured I knew everything there is to know about shooting and handling of firearms. Well humble pie, I was impressed With Paul, I feel he really went above and beyond for the class. Safety, safety, safety. His preaching of safe practice and control, real world scenarios, etc were repeated over and over! Range was no different, I really enjoyed this class and look forward to more classes with him. Thanks again, really opened my eyes to several things! read more

I just completed my 8 hour CCW class with 2nd A Firearms. I can't say enough good things about Paul Gooding and his instruction course. I went in expecting a basic run-of-the-mill lesson on the do's and don'ts of the CCW permit. What I got, instead, was a wake-up call in how much I didn't know about particulars in firearm safety, handling, and proper shooting techniques. And that was just the start. Paul is definitely passionate about firearm safety and did a phenomenal job making everyone in the class think about the seriousness of concealed carry and the responsibilities that go with it. Besides teaching us a thing or two we didn't know about firearms, he kept us on our toes considering legal and practical angles most of us had never even considered. He engaged well with the class and the Q&A discussions we all had made the day fly by. If you are looking for an instructor who will challenge and develop your firearm skills, look no further--Paul's your guy. Mike Dwyer San Diego, CA read more

Paul was straight forward, informative and changed the way I think about handling my firearms. He pointed out bad habits and gave instructions on how to form better safety habits. I went for my CCW course and the gun safety and awareness wasn't just in the classroom. Oh no, when walking to the range to qualify, we went over scenarios that can take place on that walk. How to think when carrying and how to respond. He didn't over praise you but pointed out when you were following directions. I didn't even know I passed until I got the paper with his signature. I plan to revisit for more training and more training. I would recommend 2nd A any day to any serious gun owner. read more

Paul at 2AFT was great. He arranged his time to meet my schedule (which is no easy task)! Once in class and on the range, Paul demonstrated absolute safety at all times. He has a great knowledge base and has a good way of helping students learn from that! Highly recommend! read more

Eye opening course that was well worth it!! Paul is thorough and will make you think about the importance of life or death scenarios. Highly recommend! read more

Paul Gooding is an excellent instructor. I learned so much about firearm safety. I have been handling handguns for forty years and the last eight hours was very enlightening. I plan on scheduling a private session to work some more with Paul to perfect the methods of pistol shooting. His rates are very reasonable and he is very focused on safety. Even for experienced shooters, I believe that this is a worthwhile class. read more

It was a good chance to progress in my NRA certifications. During this course I learned quite a bit. Paul was very easy to understand and knowledgeable with the course. I plan on taking my next course to advance my knowledge. Thank you Paul. read more

I set up an appointment with Paul for private instruction and basic safety with a pistol I had never really been that confident with. After classroom instruction we went to the range. On my 2nd shot, I was hitting bullseyes and tight grouping when I did everything that I was told. I now have more confidence than I had a few years ago thanks to Paul and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him to anyone looking to improve their knowledge and skills. read more

Awesome experience and great class on fundamentals and safety of handguns and firearms. Dave was amazing and super informative. Looking forward to taking more classes! Thanks read more

There were lots of options on class providers, but I'm glad I chose Paul and 2nd "A" Firearms Training for my CCW course. The class was held at their office in Kearny Mesa right next door to the gun range. The course was well laid-out and Paul was quick to expand on concepts to make sure that it was understood. The highest compliment I have was for him was for his constant focus on SAFETY. At every point in the class, he stressed its importance. The next would be that he was very pragmatic about stressing where and when to carry and that many times we would probably not need to carry. His mantra is "Do I need to carry or do I want to carry." So, if you're looking for a CCW or other gun course, I would feel very comfortable recommending his services. BTW, the course is broken up into two topics. The morning is spent on Gun and Pistol basics, then we broke for lunch (on our own), the second half we went to the range next door to qualify and then returned for the second half which was focused on the rules and responsibilities of CCW. read more

Really well designed class for the 8 hour CCW initial training. The students had varying experience from 1.5 to 20+ years experience plus military. It did not matter as Paul's goal was centered on knowledge, safety, and respect for your firearm and your decision to carry. Good practical discussions. Questions encouraged. Situational awareness emphasized. read more

Phenomenal experience today! Paul showed me many firearm options and explained the pros and cons of each. I had a lot of questions and he thoroughly answered them all. His classroom is conveniently located next door to The Gun Range where we shot 3 different firearms to help me chose the best one. Can't wait for the 10 days to be over. After shooting he gave me a lot of valuable tips and things to look out for when buying accessories and other guns in the future. The value Paul provides is amazing. Especially for the price. You won't be disappointed! read more

2nd 'A' Firearms Training - Firearm Training Near Me - San Diego, California

I had a great experience with Bill at my training With his knowledge he's helped me change the way I do everything and become a better gun owner! Thanks ! read more

Took my 8hr ccw class with Paul. Very knowledgeable and very very very safety oriented. He had a vast amount of knowledge that included a lot of practical insights that I would have never thought of. Very reasonable scheduling and prices. He offers a lot of extras with little to no charge. Ill be back for some furthered education and application classes! read more

Great experience from start to finish. Called before scheduling the training and was impressed at the amount of time Paul took to walk me through the process. Bill was the instructor in my class and he was very patient to answer everyone's questions... and I had a lot. So much info! Highly recommend spending time with these very experienced gents! read more

Yep, your search to find a reputable, informative and hands-on firearms instructor, is over! I am very happy I took 2nd A Firearms Training, CA CCW 8 Hr Initial class. Paul's instruction will open your eyes to scenario's you would have never thought of as an option. His very skilled and extensive experience in firearms safety is not only critical, but necessary in your learning and understanding to be a qualified CCW holder. In Paul's class, safety is paramount. He will drill proper technique that will allow you to be a better and more prepared citizen. Much appreciated, Paul. read more

I am a former police officer and attended an 8 hour training course required by the Sheriffs Department. The training consisted of about 7 hours classroom firearm safety and proper use including shooting range protocols and safety- and 1 hour of actual qualification shooting on the range. The emphasis on firearms safety and handling was a huge part of this session. Paul Gooding is extremely knowledgeable, and won't let you get away with poor firearm handling or safety violations. Coffee, snacks and drinks were provided for students, there's a bathroom 2 doors down for convenience and there was plenty of parking arriving early. When we moved to the range, the attention to detail and firearm safety was further emphasized, and rightfully so. Paul was beyond helpful on the shooting portion, and even went as far to help you adjust your shooting grip and stance to be a better shooter. I would not hesitate to book your training with these guys, or any future training which I plan to do with them. You are getting your monies worth with this class, and the amount of experience Paul has to offer make this an absolute bargain. I can't wait to do some more training with 2nd and A firearms training in the future including bringing my wife and parents for additional training. Thank you. read more