Today we’d like to introduce you to Sandy Keathley.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was raised around firearms, mostly shotguns, but had only limited experience with a bolt-action .22 rifle that belonged to my grandfather. In 1968 I went in the U.S. Army, and was trained on the M-14 and M-16 rifles, and spent a year in Viet Nam. In the years after that, I had one handgun, but it was not an important part of my life. Near the end of a career as a computer programmer, my interest was revived. I started buying and collecting both handguns and combat rifles, and becoming proficient with them.
Since I have an innate skill as a teacher, I pursued the series of training classes and range qualifications to be certified as both an NRA-Certified Firearms Instructor, and a DPS-Certified Concealed Handgun License instructor, and launched McKinney Firearms Training. The company is a licensed business entity in McKinney, and maintains a private range and classroom complex a few miles NE of McKinney. We teach beginner pistol classes, advanced pistol private instruction, introduction to the defensive shotgun and AR-15, and License to Carry classes. In a few months, we will be adding School Safety Certificate training.
I find the beginner pistol classes (called “Learn to Shoot”) especially interesting, due to the wide variety of people I see. Some of them already own a gun, but have little actual experience, but the majority of the students do not own a gun, and may have never touched a gun in their lives. Many, in fact, are afraid of the whole thing, but are driven to learn about them nevertheless. A comment I hear over and over is, “I never had any interest in guns, but the way things are changing, I’m afraid to be at home without some protection”. They are intimidated by gun ranges, and wanted a smaller, more intimate learning experience, with an instructor they could read about before coming to class.
Almost half of those people come back later and take the LTC class. They may not want to carry a gun daily, but feel like knowing Texas handgun law is important, and could be a positive thing for them if they are ever forced to use that gun.
I have been very fortunate to teach over 1600 students in the last three years. Some of them stay in touch with me, and a few have become handgun instructors themselves.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has been a smoother road for me than for many people in this business. Firearms Instructors typically have to either operate an independent business, or work at a commercial gun range for an hourly rate that is not very high. Working on your own can be more profitable, but there are two primary challenges: advertising, and facilities. The only practical means of advertising is with a good website. Since I used to do that for a living, the website part was not a huge problem, although there was some investment required. As for facilities, I rent property out in the country, where I have a private range and a house converted into a classroom. I was fortunate in finding that property, as it is not an easy situation to replicate.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with McKinney Firearms Training – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
What I am known for varies with the type of training involved.
The pistol students appreciate that I stress handgun safety, and take them step-by-step through an understanding of guns, how they work, and the fundamentals of shooting. Since most of these students are women, they also appreciate that they do not feel intimidated by the way I teach.
The LTC students appreciate that I clearly explain all the steps involved in getting the license, and provide them with extensive class materials to help them understand the law. I also give people tips as needed to help them do well on the Proficiency.
My 5-star rating on Google is a good indication of the success I have had.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
The State of Texas believes that there would be an advantage to having some employees of a school armed, in the event of an “active shooter” situation, but only if that person had significantly more training than normal. I have been offered the chance to become an instructor for the School Safety Certification, and will be commencing that later in the Fall.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://McKinneyFirearmsTraining.com
- Phone: 214-335-3511
- Email: sandy@mckinneyft.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mckinneyft
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