We are currently accepting registrations for our May, June and July classes basic handgun and Florida concealed carry license qualification classes.
Classes will be conducted on our new, air conditioned, indoor, gun range, with a state-of-the-art, high efficiency ventilation system. No battling the summer heat, no sweating, no breathing smoke filled air.
What separates our firearms training classes from the others . . .
Our classes are conducted on an indoor, AIR CONDITION gun range, with a state-of-the-art, high-efficiency ventilation system.
We offer convenient online class registration and payment.
Unlike classes conducted by law enforcement agencies, we do not require a pre-class appointment for registration, payment and fingerprinting.
Our classes are the most economical of any firearm training or concealed carry class conducted locally.
All our classes are taught by NRA advanced certified firearms instructors.
All our hands-on, firearm training classes qualify the student for applying for a Florida concealed carry weapons license. A license currently recognized in 38 states.
We have convenient online registration, with NO pre-class appointments or fingerprinting required.
All our firearms training qualifies the participant for applying for a Florida concealed carry license, currently recognized in 38 states.Your Florida concealed carry license will be valid when the ‘nationwide concealed carry reciprocity law’ goes into effect.
See our current summer class schedule and register for a class on EVENTBRITE at . . .
Recently while on an out-of-town trip, I had a rather painful experience.
While traveling out of town, I had some spare time before my appointment so I took the opportunity to visit a gun shop in the area.
The shop being occupied by only a handful of firearm enthusiasts, it was easy to move about and browse the inventory. Also, it was a rather small shop, so it was not difficult to overhear the conversations of others.
One of the shoppers was an older woman, some might describe her as elderly, interested in purchasing her first handgun. It was her conversation with the salesperson, on the other side of the gun counter, I found a bit uncomfortable.
As the woman asked her questions, the salesperson courteously responded to her inquiries and showed her one handgun after another.
What quickly became evident, the woman had no clue as to what she was doing or knowledge of what she was shopping for. All the woman knew was she wanted a gun that would fit in her hand, was not too heavy, had a safety and would fit into her small pocketbook.
She was overheard saying her friend had one that “looks like that”.
As the salesperson handed her one gun after another, she manipulated them, pointing out their shortcomings and why they would not work for her.
Her attention was directed toward the semi-autos. That is what her friend had.
Her concern was she had arthritis and did not have the strength to pull “that thing” back. Of course, the gun had to have a safety and she wanted one that would not jam. She was not concerned about how to load it. She would have someone do that for her. Maybe her friend.
After sometime and well into the shopping experience, a well-intentioned, nearby, fellow shopper suggested she consider a revolver.
Her response: “Oh no. Those are old-fashioned. I want one with a safety. My friend has one like these,” as she pointed at the semi-autos.
The woman must have looked at least 20 handguns and handled a dozen of them. Becoming obviously more and more dissatisfied with her inability to find the one gun that fulfilled all her needs, she left the store frustrated and empty-handed.
THE TAKE AWAY FROM THE EXPERIENCE
Before purchasing your first firearm:
First and foremost, determine what the gun is to be used for:
Concealed carry/self-defenseHome defenseTarget or sport shootingCompetitionHunting
No one gun is good for all purposes.
Second, set a budget. What is the most you are willing to spend. Guaranteed, what you want, a gun that will fit your needs, is going to be more expensive than what you initially considered. Also, you get what you pay for. Go cheap and you will get a cheap gun. When purchasing a tool to defend your life and the lives of your loved ones, it is no time to go cheap. If you ever have to use the gun to defend your life, you will only be given one chance. There are no do-overs.
3rd – Do your research. Yes, ask friends. Ask other gun owners. But do not rely solely on their opinions. You know what is said about opinions. Everyone has different physical characteristics, hand size, hand and arm strength, firearm knowledge, skills and experience. Remember, this is your first handgun. A cardinal rule: Keep it simple. The simpler your first gun is to operate, having the fewest buttons, levers and gadgets on it the better. At 2 o’clock in the morning, when you hear glass break and you do not own a cat, it no time to have to think: Is this the gun with the safety up or the safety down? Do I have to pull the slide back? Read bona fide articles, but avoid YouTube videos. Many videos are misleading.
4th – Before purchasing your first handgun, take a firearm training class. Learn the differences, the pros and cons of the different handguns, from an unbiased, certified firearms instructor. The few bucks you will spend on a handgun training class can save you hundreds when purchasing your first gun.
Following the above suggestions will save the first-time handgun buyer a lot of aggravation and likely prevent him or her from making a $450 – $600 mistake.
Contact us for official NRA firearms training. We will educate you in how to purchase your first firearm and train you in using it safely.
According to Hillsborough County Animal Control, the victim sustained multiple lacerations and deep puncture wounds to both her right and left upper and lower legs, lower right arm, wrist and hand.
Two Pit Bull Terriers had the woman on the ground viciously attacking her. One with its teeth locked onto the woman’s leg, the other biting and pulling her arm. Grabbing their pistols, they ran to the elderly woman’s aid.
April 29, 2024
Busy in her kitchen preparing dinner, Cierra Medina’s evening was shattered by screams for help coming from the street in front of her home.
Looking out her kitchen window, Cierra saw her 72-year-old neighbor on the ground being viciously attacked by two Pit Bull Terriers. Shouting to her husband to watch her 8-month-old daughter, Cierra rushed out the front door of her home, with her Taurus 9mm in hand.
Screaming at the dogs to ‘STOP‘ and running up to the victim, who had one dog attached to her left arm and another with its jaws firmly locked onto her right leg, Cierra fired a shot into the ground hoping to scare the dogs and stop the attack. Regrettably, that did not occur. The dog clenched onto the woman’s arm, released its bite and backed off, but did not flee. The second dog with its grip on the woman’s leg was not deterred.
Cierra was then joined by her aunt Kristy Parks, who lives across the street.
Hearing the victim’s screams from inside her house, Kristy grabbed her Ruger LCP .380 and rushed out to join Cierra and assist the woman on the ground being mauled by the two dogs.
Cierra attempted to fire a second round at the dog that would not release its grip on the victim’s leg, only to discover her gun had jammed. Kristy then fired one round from her Ruger LCP .380, loaded with jacketed hollow points, striking the dog in the frontal chest. The dog remained unfazed and continued to bite and pull at the victim’s leg. Kristy fired again, striking the dog the second time broadside in the chest, causing it to release its grip and retreat.
While Kristy kept the dogs at bay, holding them at gunpoint, prepared to fire again, Cierra assisted the victim in crawling on her hands, elbows and knees to the front door of her home and inside to safety, leaving a trail of blood on the driveway sidewalk and porch.
With Kristy holding her gun on the two growling and snapping dogs, Cierra helped the victim into the house. The victim covered with blood, bleeding profusely from both her right arm and both her right and left leg. Cierra quickly administered what aid she could, fashioning improvised tourniquets in an attempt to control the bleeding.
During the commotion and hearing the gunshots, other neighbors appeared on the scene and called 911, while Kristy and Cierra rendered aid to their injured neighbor. Upon the arrival of EMS and a quick initial examination, the victim was immediately transported to Tampa General Hospital Trauma Center for treatment.
According to a written report by the Hillsborough County Animal Control, the victim sustained multiple lacerations and deep puncture wounds to both her right and left upper and lower legs, lower right arm, wrist and hand, which included “significant” tendon and arterial damage.
The wounded dog was euthanized on the scene by Hillsborough County animal control officers, after having been tased several times in an attempt to control it. The other dog was taken into custody and transported to Hillsborough County animal control.
The WFLA News Channel 8 – Tampa, FL news broadcast can be viewed HERE.
Florida, Brandon, Hillsborough County, pit bull, dog attack, animal attack, gun, pistol, GLOCK, Taurus, Kristy Parks, Cierra Medina
Appearing on Fox News Friday, April 11, 2025 . . . .
Nationwide concealed carry reciprocity takes another step closer to becoming a reality. Congressman Richard Hudson appeared on Fox News, Friday, April 11, 2025 . . . .
You must have a license (permit) to have reciprocity.
Avoid the rush. Do not be left on a waiting list, trying to get in a class, with inflated prices. Get your required training before the rush.
President-elect Donald Trump announces that he will sign a national concealed carry bill into law.
Official Florida recognized concealed carry license and firearms training classes conducted in Winter Haven weekly.
In-Gauge of Polk County is located in Winter Haven and licensed to conduct business in Polk County. We are not an out-of-town operation that visits Winter Haven to conduct classes at a local hotel.
Click on the button below to see our class schedule and to register for a class.
You must have a license (permit) to have reciprocity.
Avoid the rush. Do not be left on a waiting list, trying to get in a class, with inflated prices. Get your required training before the rush.
President-elect Donald Trump urges Congress to pass a national concealed carry reciprocity bill and announces that he will sign it into law.
Official Florida recognized concealed carry license and firearms training classes conducted in Winter Haven weekly.
In-Gauge of Polk County is located in Winter Haven and licensed to conduct business in Polk County. We are not an out-of-town operation that visits Winter Haven to conduct classes at a local hotel.
Click on the button below to see our class schedule and to register for a class.
According to Hillsborough County Animal Control, the victim sustained multiple lacerations and deep puncture wounds to both her right and left upper and lower legs, lower right arm, wrist and hand.
Two Pit Bull Terriers had the woman on the ground viciously attacking her. One with its teeth locked onto the woman’s leg, the other biting and pulling her arm. Grabbing their pistols, they ran to the elderly woman’s aid.
April 29, 2024
Busy in her kitchen preparing dinner, Cierra Medina’s evening was shattered by screams for help coming from the street in front of her home.
Looking out her kitchen window, Cierra saw her 72-year-old neighbor on the ground being viciously attacked by two Pit Bull Terriers. Shouting to her husband to watch her 8-month-old daughter, Cierra rushed out the front door of her home, with her Taurus 9mm in hand.
Screaming at the dogs to ‘STOP‘ and running up to the victim, who had one dog attached to her left arm and another with its jaws firmly locked onto her right leg, Cierra fired a shot into the ground hoping to scare the dogs and stop the attack. Regrettably, that did not occur. The dog clenched onto the woman’s arm, released its bite and backed off, but did not flee. The second dog with its grip on the woman’s leg was not deterred.
Cierra was then joined by her aunt Kristy Parks, who lives across the street.
Hearing the victim’s screams from inside her house, Kristy grabbed her Ruger LCP .380 and rushed out to join Cierra and assist the woman on the ground being mauled by the two dogs.
Cierra attempted to fire a second round at the dog that would not release its grip on the victim’s leg, only to discover her gun had jammed. Kristy then fired one round from her Ruger LCP .380, loaded with jacketed hollow points, striking the dog in the frontal chest. The dog remained unfazed and continued to bite and pull at the victim’s leg. Kristy fired again, striking the dog the second time broadside in the chest, causing it to release its grip and retreat.
While Kristy kept the dogs at bay, holding them at gunpoint, prepared to fire again, Cierra assisted the victim in crawling on her hands, elbows and knees to the front door of her home and inside to safety, leaving a trail of blood on the driveway sidewalk and porch.
With Kristy holding her gun on the two growling and snapping dogs, Cierra helped the victim into the house. The victim covered with blood, bleeding profusely from both her right arm and both her right and left leg. Cierra quickly administered what aid she could, fashioning improvised tourniquets in an attempt to control the bleeding.
During the commotion and hearing the gunshots, other neighbors appeared on the scene and called 911, while Kristy and Cierra rendered aid to their injured neighbor. Upon the arrival of EMS and a quick initial examination, the victim was immediately transported to Tampa General Hospital Trauma Center for treatment.
According to a written report by the Hillsborough County Animal Control, the victim sustained multiple lacerations and deep puncture wounds to both her right and left upper and lower legs, lower right arm, wrist and hand, which included “significant” tendon and arterial damage.
The wounded dog was euthanized on the scene by Hillsborough County animal control officers, after having been tased several times in an attempt to control it. The other dog was taken into custody and transported to Hillsborough County animal control.
There will be a ceremony recognizing Kristy and Cierra for their selfless, heroic actions Tuesday evening, May 14th, at3812 Cypress Gardens Road, Winter Haven, FL beginning at 6:30 PM. The public is invited. Seating is limited.
The WFLA News Channel 8 – Tampa, FL news broadcast can be viewed HERE.
Florida, Brandon, Hillsborough County, pit bull, dog attack, animal attack, gun, pistol, GLOCK, Taurus, Kristy Parks, Cierra Medina
