This was my first visit to the shop. The FFL transfer fee is only $25. The young woman who handled…read morethe transaction was friendly and efficient. She also sold me the holster I needed. I'll be back!

Great customer service and gun shop. Will be coming back in the future. Has enough of a section…read moreof pistols and rifles....well worth the trip.

Nicely organized and clean facility. I went to shoot with my brother. He has a membership here…read more which helps get priority booking for range time. It gets quite busy! I did not know they have an archery range here!! Otherwise, I might have invested in a compound bow years ago! Check-in was easy. I had to fill out a waiver since it was my first time shooting here at this range. You just go to the kiosks to the far left of the check-in counter. Be sure to have your Driver's license/ID with you because you will need it to type in the number when you check into the kiosk for the waiver. Plus you will need to turn it in at the check-in desk while you're in the range. You must have safety glasses and ear protection before entering the range. If you don't own any you can purchase safety glasses for $4. My brother loaned me his ear protection and he brought his own guns and ammo. You can purchase from a variety of targets that are against the wall to the right of the counters. Just state which number to the staff. They will give you a stapler to attach to the board in the range. Holy cow! Gunfire can get EXTREMELY LOUD and jolting in there depending upon who is firing what in there. Some dude was firing a weapon that felt like it shook the range and jolted my body. My brother told me what it was they were firing but I forgot. Me and this teenager laughed and looked at each other because MY GAWD, the sound and pressure of that weapon felt like a sonic boom. LOL. They have staff inside the range to change out the back boards if needed and to sweep up the shells to prevent tripping as well. Restrooms are available as well with many multiple stalls and were very clean.

I cannot recommend this place enough!…read more I came in with a history of gun violence & this visit was to overcome my fear of guns. The check in process was very easy to navigate and the team members were very helpful. Jake helped me get set up at the desk & he assured me that the safety person in the range would be helpful too. It's clear that safety is a top priority here. They require you to wear hearing & eye protection before you enter the range room! I entered the range room & was initially shaken & tearful so I stepped out, wiped my tears & then entered again. John helped me slowly ease up to the bay & walked me through all the safety basics of the gun. He helped me grip it correctly and get a feel of it before the mag was even loaded. He imitated what the kick would feel like. Once I was comfortable with just holding it, he showed me how to load the bullets. I was shaken & nervous between each step but he was calm, reassuring, & patient with me. I eventually loaded the mag & did one shot. From there, my confidence built. Overall, I would recommend this gun range to any & everyone. As a woman who came here alone to face my fears, I feel accomplished & empowered. Huge shoutout to John for his patience, kindness & cute smile. To anyone out there debating:DO IT, even if you do it scared & with tears in your eyes!

Curtiss is your man to learn how to use a gun and get your ccw permit. Class was small and better…read morethat way so he can answer our questions and better one on one interaction and training. I learned so much from him and would highly recommend him. In the shooting range, we learn our stance and hand position using a firearm and shot about 25 rounds and I gain so much confidence in shooting a firearm. At the end of the day, knowledge is power and always will.

From the owner: We offer the NRA Basic Pistol and Safety Course these are small classes allowing each student to…read morehave more access to individualized training not found in larger class settings. Course certificate meets requirements to apply for VA CCW permit. Office Open By Appointment Only! Call us.......

Onpoint is such an awesome place for training! The instructors are so kind and patient and truly…read morewant to see you succeed. They are extremely knowledgeable and know how to teach in a clear and engaging way. I highly recommend this school!

Great place to grow in training and experience in defensive training! They care about their…read morestudents and I can't say I'm not amazed at the things I learned. I would recommend this place to anybody.

Professional, knowledgeable, safety conscious & critical thinking in handling firearms.read more

From the owner: Strong Arms by PT Classes include:…read moreVirginia Code concealed carry and handgun law 18.2-279-18.2-311 Practical Applications in the Seven Fundamentals of a Handgun One on one private lessons Group Classes Womens only classes Kids Gun Safety Education and Training Classroom Space for Rent Strong Arms also provides its space for rental to those who need modernized classroom space to conduct training and hold seminars. Our rates are very competitive. Please contact for pricing. Professional Security Services Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) Certified Armed Private Security Courier

The Virginia Beach Fire Training Center is located on Birdneck Rd, not too far from the…read moreintersection with General Booth Blvd. It is basically next to Birdneck Elementary School. I've been to this place several times over the years. The main reason I've come in here over the years has to do with training regarding weather. I come in every few years for the storm spotter training with the National Weather Service. This is the location they normally hold it when it is done in Va. Beach every few years. The facility itself is quite nice. You will find lots of things related to firefighting and EMS, including lots of memorabilia. Generally, you do have to have an escort or badge to get into the building, but this was not the case this particular evening since the reason for the visit was the class. Overall, this is a nice facility to visit. I will say that during the break, I did take a look at the stuff around the place, and there was quite a bit. There was stuff that I didn't think was part of firefighting, but as I looked at some of those cases, I could see how they would be part of the overall mission. If you happen to have a class or other even that brings you to this place, it's definitely worth checking out. Be sure to thank the first responders for their service to our community.

If you are looking into getting into the security field and need training then ESS is the place to…read moreget it. My #1 recommendation for all types of training. The professionalism and knowledge come from years of experience which is why the instructors never left me feeling confused. I cannot wait to take more courses in the future!!! -Tony G

Mark, Erin, and Ron were the best. They shared decades of their own personal experience while…read morethoroughly covering the information required by the Department of Criminal Justice Services for the Bail Enforcement Agent Class. They also assisted students with the process of applying for licensing--a very welcomed support process. The class was instructed with a variety of instructional methods to include practical application, demonstration, informal multi-media lecture, discussion and evaluated through examination. Getting basic tactics for room clearing taught by a retired Navy Seal--well, that was a great bonus!

I enrolled in the 02E Entry-Level Private Investigator course at 1st Virginia Public Safety…read moreTraining Academy in June 2025 to try and pave the way to a career after retiring from the military, and it was without a doubt the worst educational experience I have ever had. The instructor, Luis Cortes, demonstrated a complete lack of professionalism, instructional structure, and ethical conduct from the moment class began. Here is exactly what happened: No Real Instruction Given: The first half and only day of actual classroom time was spent listening to Luis Cortes ramble on about his past as a bodybuilder and brag about how agencies supposedly seek him out for training. Instead of teaching, he used up class time to gloat and print off a disorganized 100-page packet that we were then told to study outside of class, with no in-class teaching, review, or guidance on the material we would be tested on. Abandonment of Classroom Responsibility: After that first day, which was on a Monday, Luis Cortes informed us we were told not to return until that Friday, essentially dismissing us from the course while still expecting us to complete a series of self-directed assignments, robbing us of the required sixty hours of classroom instruction to legitimately fulfill DCJS standards and earn a license. We were given a vague scenario (e.g., car crash) and told to generate our own investigative case file from scratch, with zero instruction on how to properly conduct interviews, draft reports, or follow legal procedures. It was the equivalent of paying nearly $500 to be told, "Figure it out on your own." Hidden, Undisclosed Costs: On top of the $495 course fee, students were expected to pay additional, undisclosed expenses. These included using our own gas and transportation to attend civil/criminal court hearings and to go to city records offices to pay for and retrieve the original deed to our current residence. None of these required tasks were mentioned prior to enrollment, which is deceptive and unacceptable for any legitimate training program. Unethical and Possibly Improper Behavior: During class, Luis Cortes called someone he personally knows at DCJS on their cellphone to expedite student paperwork, then told us not to tell anyone about it, explicitly admitting it could get them both in trouble. This behavior directly contradicts the "moral, legal, and ethical" standards he preached during the course. It was both hypocritical and concerning. Unprofessional Environment: Luis Cortes made an inappropriate comment to a student that made some of us uncomfortable. The entire setting felt more like a personal vanity show than a professional learning environment. The lack of structure, lack of respect for students' time and money, and blatant disregard for proper protocol made it very clear this is not a place committed to actual education. Bottom line: This was not a class. It was a disorganized, overpriced, self-study assignment disguised as professional training. If you're considering this academy for any certification through a class instructed by Luis Cortes, don't. You will not receive what you're paying for, and you'll likely leave frustrated, misled, and still unprepared to pass your exam or perform in the field. I have formally withdrawn, filed a complaint with DCJS, and requested a refund and permanent removal of my personal information from their system. Save your time, your money, and your patience. This is not a legitimate learning environment. One star only because zero stars is not an option.

I had always been scared, uncomfortable, and therefore uneducated when it came to firearms. After a…read morepretty heated debate with my hubby about how to handle a firearm in regards to an intruder in our home (if the situation should arise), I decided I should really get some training and education on them. I'd never shot a gun or even really handled one. As a military spouse, there are firearms in my home and I had put off training for far too long. A friend recommended this course after I explained to her the argument I had with the Hubs. I was super nervous when I got there, but I looked around the room and saw women who were there just as I was, who wanted to learn more about firearms and instantly felt a bit of relief because I felt as though we were doing a good responsible thing by taking this course. Throughout the class I really felt as if I were in good capable hands. Lt. Tynan and his wife were awesome. During the break we were invited to see some of the Lt.'s accolades and got a glimpse of his military and law enforcement experience, giving me even more confidence and security in the fact that I was getting some quality training. I was surprised by how much I didn't know. In the course I learned about gun safety, gun laws, firearms terminology and gained the confidence I need to feel secure in handling guns. I felt so comfy with the knowledge and training I received that I amazed myself at the range. I shot with 3 different firearms and really got a feel for what kind of gun I'm comfortable handling. I enjoyed the personal stories Lt. Tynan, his wife, and my fellow course mates shared as well as the encouragement we provided for each other. My husband is extremely proud of me for conquering my fear and pretty impressed with my aiming - as demonstrated by my target. I'm definitely going again and bringing some girlfriends.

Created by a woman for women. Instilling self awareness & protection. Professional, highly skilled…read more& patient.

Took the concealed carry course today and couldn't wait to write a review. 1000% recommend the…read morecourse and this woman-owned company. After class, we went to the range and I left feeling confident about my ability to protect myself and my family. Without a doubt, I'd recommend to anyone.

Mr. Scott Sampson is an AWESOME instructor and has my highest recommendation…read more We were given the tasks, conditions, and standards. Scott made sure that we understood the subjects, practiced hands-on, student led briefing, emergency procedures, and provided relevant information. I was impressed by Scott's knowledge, skills, attitude, and professionalism. The extra bonus is that you are welcomed in his private classroom with open arms, participate, ask questions, and take notes. Training was done to standards and students were given adequate time to go over hands-on portion of the training. Keep up the great job!!

I've always wanted to learn about using handguns for home defense, but didn't know where to begin…read more I discovered Scott's Handgun Fundamentals Class and decided to attend, but I wasn't sure what to expect. I was amazed! His class appeals to the visual, tactile, and auditory learning styles. He had an arsenal of teaching tools he used for demonstration, all of which didn't involve live fire. He showed me the different types of handguns, ammunition, how to load and unload them, what to do in the event of a malfunction, how to fire them safely, and how to store them safely. I never knew that when handling your firearm, pointing it towards a wall is not necessarily a safe direction. Scott informed me that bullets can go through multiple walls. That's not what you see on TV. When we reached the range for live fire, I felt a bit nervous, but Scott had taught me so much by that point that I felt more comfortable than I would have otherwise. He walked me through all the steps he had taught me in the classroom, which reinforced the safety aspects. Scott took his time with me and made me feel completely safe. That made all the difference! I tackled my fears head-on and discovered a level of confidence I didn't know I had! My journey did not stop there! I decided to take his concealed carry immersion class, which took my skills to the next level while reinforcing the basics. This time, I had an idea of what to expect. What I didn't know was how much more there was to learn, especially if you are considering carrying a handgun for self-defense. This was also a two-day class like the Fundamentals one I had taken. The amount of information he taught me, coupled with scenario training using his simulator, really brought everything together. My goal was to be a responsible gun owner and know what to do if I encountered a home defense-type situation. Scott's methods of teaching and his ability to combine lectures with hands-on learning far exceeded my expectations. Not only did I achieve my goal, but I still wanted to learn more! Since then, I have taken his coaching lessons, Stop the Bleed course, Less than Lethal, Refuse to be a Victim, a USCCA mini use of deadly force class, a US LawShield class he sponsored, and attended his Women on Target event. Thanks to Scott, I have empowered myself with the knowledge I need to help myself stay safe. When I go to the range now, I feel confident! I am so grateful for Scott's guidance and thrilled about all I've learned.