Safety 1st is the best training facility I have been to!!…read more The company I worked for used Safety 1st for officers training and the owner Mr. Thornton is the best I've trained under and I have been to many. He is very knowledgeable in all subjects he teaches. He even offers some free training at times. My company signed up for training on two subject matters and we just happened to be talk about another subject and Mr. Thornton wanted to see if we had been properly trained. Some of us just had not gained the knowledge as we should have on this particular subject. Mr. Thornton gave us the proper training for free. It just shows he cares about the quality of the subjects he educates officers on. In short my colleagues and myself appreciate and were captivated by how Mr. Thornton delivered his education on law enforcement subjects. He makes it fun yet makes you want the knowledge to become a well qualified professional in the law enforcement field. I will definitely spread the word on Safety 1st training. Kudos to Mr. Thornton and his team!!

I had my CCW initial training course from Mr. Thornton and this company back 2019. Since I used…read morethem before, I decide to use them again for my renewal training for my CCW. I called 301-346-2327 for over 2wks, this include texts and voicemails. They don't return any calls or respond to any texts. I actually called on one occasion and they answered but all i could hear was gun fire and they hung up the phone. Then i got a text saying kenneth thornton can i help you. So I sent another text. HE NEVER RESPONDED again. So i'm done with this company. Its so irritating to try to support local businesses in PG county. But the service you get is horrible. If they were to busy or not able to take any appts for training, at less have enough courtesy to respond to someone text or call. Don't waste your time. I went to Howard county and got training with no issues. And its cheaper. Only 125.00. And at small arms range they want 280.00. Very Disappointed,

Great job! Boom Boom I guess you could say I'm a loyalist. They are efficient, and I learned so…read moremuch! I look forward to taking more glasses and getting better at this new hobby!

I attended an HQL training in February 2026. It was pretty disorganized possibly due to having to…read moremanage extra students after the big snow storm. However, the instructor was just plain irritable and addressed the training group that if anyone had a bad attitude to please leave and that once they went upstairs to set up, they weren't coming back down to let in students who had not arrived from range to the classroom - rather inappropriate to say to paying customers. After arriving at 7am on a Sunday morning to a range that was closed. There was no cohesiveness, no proper introduction, no signage to direct folks where to go. I could go on and on. It accomplished the job of getting a training certification but I can't say the training was the best. Maybe it was a fluke what I experienced, but FYSA.

Hector is one of the most impressive instructors I could ever imagine having for this training. I…read morefeel very fortunate to have been given this experience. Besides being knowledgeable, he is personable, compassionate, and truly wants to produce the best learners he is given. (As a teacher for over 30 years, I know a great instructor when I see one.) He knows the legalities of Washington D.C. and his expertise is valued!

I recently visited Fred's Outdoors to purchase a firearm for the first time in Maryland, having…read moreonly purchased in Florida before. I explained this to the man behind the counter, and he immediately understood my concerns about the differences in laws and procedures. He took the time to walk me through the entire process, answered all of my questions clearly, and remained patient and helpful as I looked at multiple options. The cashier was also friendly and efficient, which made the rest of the experience smooth and hassle-free. That said, I want to acknowledge that months ago, I stopped by to ask some general questions and had a very different experience. The women working the back counter at the time were rude and unhelpful, which left a bad impression. So I understand why some of the negative reviews exist and I'd also be cautious of overly glowing reviews from other users with no review history. In short, Fred's may be hit or miss depending on who helps you, but this visit when I was ready to make a purchase was quick, painless, and left me with no complaints. Based on this latest experience, I will return for additional purchases.

I called on Friday, 2/13 at 10:40 am to schedule an appt for finger printing for concealed carry…read more The young lady who made my appt and took my payment was rude, unprofessional and very short..AND hung up in my face after the appointment was made. I'm not sure what her problem was, but she definitely should not work with the public

This was very good learned a lot his a very good instructor and make sure you understand before he…read moremoves on. His clothing line is the best made of good quality material and perfect for when you are doing your concealed carry. Thanks again Terry

Terry is absolutely amazing to train with. I felt way more confident in handling and firing my…read moreweapon. Terry made sure of that! If you are looking for a knowledgeable and experienced trainer, I recommend contacting Terry to get started! You will not be disappointed!

Jerome West and Mike Young are GREAT Instructors. I had never shot a gun prior to completing the…read morecourse, and after completion I feel very empowered and informed about gun laws and gun safety. Thank you for being professional and VERY knowledgeable

Great class instructor is very informative and detailed. He ensures you have all the requirements…read moreto pass the class.

What can I say about my training experience? First of all,…read morethe staff here is amazing. They are courteous, patient and extremely knowledgeable. Thea was very patient and helpful when I called to inquire about the course. She answered every question I had and helped me decide to go with their program. The multi-state training I obtained was very thorough, well explained (supportive links) and although in a classroom setting felt very personal. Class size was nice and small, and even during COVID, we were still able to participate via online. I dont know about other online courses but my instructor Jason was Awsome. He's engaging, funny and most importantly, extremely knowledgeable. He helps you feel comfortable and confident with education and practice. The course was very structured and supportive with many links for your own reference. The range training was extremely helpful also as both Aaron and Jason demonstrate not only how to handle a weapon but also storing (on your person and at home) and how to even proper and comfortable operation. I HIGHLY recommend this course! Whether you're ready to purchase or maybe interested but unsure if you're ready, this course will help you in your decision making.

I recently finished a course with FTI . The Training was very informative, full of details for…read moreeverything you need to know without wasting anytime on unnecessary information. Owner and lead instructor Aaron is very professional, welcoming,very knowledgeable and passionate . Secondary Instructors Jason and Tony as well are professional, knowledgeable and passionate. The class layout is very clean, comfortable and uses a lot of up to date technologies to help deliver the needed information. They have a large range of firearms for future purchasers to get a feel for and understand. The love shoot is very well organized and controlled making class goers feel extremely safe. I left this class feeling more informed and ready to take another. Thank you , FTI

I recently conducted a FFL sale with Protect & Defend. Top rate company. My experience was…read morefantastic. I will definitely return and highly recommend.

I had a great experience with FFL. I will definitely use them again in the near future.read more