Today we’d like to introduce you to Rickey Townsend.
Rickey, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started this company in 2016 because I noticed a lack of minority representation in the gun community. I would see women coming to the gun range where I train and feel extremely uncomfortable while their significant other attempted to teach them about firearms.
Sometimes it’s hard to believe that you can do something until you see someone who looks like you in that position.
My firearms background started in 2001 at Homeland Security {Federal Aviation Administration}. In 2014, I became a {NRA} certified Pistol Instructor and was certified by the {Texas Department of Public Safety} as a CHL Instructor. I’ve learned a lot about firearms in the last 20 plus years. But by no means would I ever consider myself an expert in firearms because there’s always room for improvement.
My goal is to teach both men and women how not to become a victim, whether it be from theft, domestic violence or sexual assault. I think it’s imperative that both men and women feel like they’re in control of their own safety and have the capability to protect their families from any kind of assault whether they’re out at the movies, at home relaxing, at the mall shopping or with their families at the park.
I just want to empower both men and women and make sure that they are properly educated and informed on how to protect themselves and their families and not become a victim to an assault.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My main obstacle and challenge has been being a minority in the business. When I first started, I couldn’t get any information from anyone. Everywhere I’d go for information, I couldn’t get it. My Instructor in the NRA had informed me that it would be hard for me because of the color of my skin.
It’s been a struggle. Months after completing my NRA classes, I returned back to my NRA Instructor with several questions on how I could obtain this license and got no response. But, I didn’t let that stop me. I continued my pursuit to gather the information that I needed.
My next challenge was the Texas Department of Public Safety. While attending the training for my CHL/LTC Instructors license, there was a middle-aged Caucasian female sitting in front of me in class. While the class was on break, she turned to me and said out of nowhere and stated “Don’t give up on what you are trying to do. Doors are going to be closed in your face but, don’t you ever give up when that door closes. You keep going. Don’t stop until you have accomplished what you have started.” I took that as a sign from my God.
The strangest thing was that after the class ended, I found that lady to thank her for her words of encouragement, and to my surprise she didn’t acknowledge me! She acted as though she had never said a word to me. Now go figure that. But, I appreciated the words of encouragement and used them as fuel to continue on with my quest to succeed in this business.
So! After all of that, I proceeded to start up my business only to find out from the Texas Department of Public Safety that I needed to take the Texas Occupational Code Manager’s Exam. Another obstacle but, I persevered. At this point, I had to stop all business operations until I passed the exam which I could not take for another 3 months! So, let me just say that there were many obstacles and challenges then and now. I’m sure there will be many more to come but, I’m determined to get what I need to help educate as many people as I can about guns and gun safety.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
What I do in my business is I certify Level II Security Officers who are unarmed and Level III Security Officers who are armed.
In my CHL/LTC classes, I certify men and women to carry a concealed firearm. The background check is conducted by the Texas Department of Public Safety. They give the okay on each individual and send them their license. I educate and train the individuals on the proper use of a firearm and gun safety.
I’m certified in all of my courses and I’m a certified classroom Instructor. I’m a Level III Security School which is certified through the Texas Department of Public Safety.
What I’m most proud of is succeeding in is accomplishing my goals even when I was told that I couldn’t because of the color of my skin. I’ve proved many of those Instructors wrong.
What sets me apart from any other company is my willingness to share my knowledge of guns and gun safety with anyone, regardless of race, sex or age. I will never tell anyone that they can’t succeed in whatever it is that they set out to do.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
The determination to succeed in something I believe in.
Contact Info:
- Website: R.E.T.bulletproofchl/ltcfirearmstraining.com
- Phone: (817) 703-3085
- Email: rck_twnsnd@yahoo.com
Image Credit:
Rodney Rudd
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