Eric Stephens

Eric Stephens

Instructor

I participated in NRA 3-position rifle matches in high school which was long before the Internet. During 2020, I had a bit more time to reflect on getting back into the sport and expanding into pistol craft. As part of my duties at Baldwinsville Rod & Gun Club, I took RPD’s range officer training and was immediately convinced this is where I would conduct my pistol training. What began as learning the basics of using the “tool” evolved into a mindset of more personal responsibility for my own safety and that of my family. Being accepted into and completing the Handgun Master Program in 2022 was a force multiplier for my learning experience and led me the opportunity to be an instructor.
I learned as an IT instructor the best way to continually learn a subject is to teach it. I look forward to working with clients with their marksmanship skills.
I participated in NRA 3-position rifle matches in high school which was long before the Internet. During 2020, I had a bit more time to reflect on getting back into the sport and expanding into pistol craft. As part of my duties at Baldwinsville Rod & Gun Club, I took RPD’s range officer training and was immediately convinced this is where I would conduct my pistol training. What began as learning the basics of using the “tool” evolved into a mindset of more personal responsibility for my own safety and that of my family. Being accepted into and completing the Handgun Master Program in 2022 was a force multiplier for my learning experience and led me the opportunity to be an instructor.
I learned as an IT instructor the best way to continually learn a subject is to teach it. I look forward to working with clients with their marksmanship skills.

Philosophy

Philosophy
Training experience
  • 2023 - Sig Sauer Academy - Reflexive Shooting
  • 2023 - Modern Samurai Project - Red Dot Pistol Fundamentals and Performance
  • 2023 - Rochester Personal Defense - Handgun Master Alumni sessions
  • 2023 - Rochester Personal Defense - Dave Spaulding’s Great F—-ing Shooting Course
  • 2023 - USCCA Certified Firearms Instructor - Conceal Carry & Home Defense
  • 2022 - Rochester Personal Defense - Handgun Master Program I
  • 2022 - NRA Pistol Instructor Certification
  • 2022 - Article 35 Use of Force Instructor's seminar
  • 2022 - USPSA Range Officer Training and Certification
  • 2021 - USCCA Concealed Carry 1
  • 2021 - USCCA Handgun Basics
  • 2021 - Civilian Response to Trauma
  • 2021 - NRA Range Safety Officer Certification
  • 2020 - Article 35 Use of Force
  • 2020 - Pistol marksmanship simulator course
Firearms teaching experience
  •  NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting
  •  NY State Conceal Carry 18HR
  •  USCCA Handgun Basics
  •  Concealed Carry Skills
Community involvement
  •  Baldwinsville Rod & Gun Club - Range Safety Officer, Board Member (thru Dec 2023)
  •  Syracuse Pistol Club - Range Safety Officer, Board Member (Jan 2024 -) Action Pistol participant
  •  USPSA C-rating in Carry Optics and Production
  •  Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) - Onondaga County
  •  Radio Amateurs of Greater Syracuse (RAGS) / Liverpool Amateur Repeater Club (LARC)
  •  Boy Scout Troop 80 - Scoutmaster /  Committee Chair roles (past)
  •  Calvary Syracuse - Board member / Church school instructor (past)