Meet the instructors:
Jodi Newton
NRA Certified Firearms Instructor
NRA Certified Training Counselor
NM Concealed Carry Instructor #514
My Story
One Christmas season, two other women-owned businesses in the same shopping center as my professional photography studio were robbed at gun point. As a result, I realized that I needed to be able to protect myself and my employees.
I completed the usual Saturday-Sunday Concealed Carry course, but I didn’t feel adequately trained to safely carry a firearm. That experience led to my decision to become certified to teach concealed carry classes. I wanted to teach in a way that would alleviate the fear of guns, would not be intimidating, and would provide a sense of confidence and empowerment.
I found training in a variety of sources, including APD’s Women Against Crime and the National Rifle Association.
My Certifications
- NRA Certified Training Counselor
- NRA Chief Range Safety Officer
- NRA Regional Counselor & Instructor, Refuse To Be A Victim
- NRA Instructor, Basic Pistol
- NRA Instructor, Personal Protection Inside the Home
- NRA Instructor, Personal Protection Outside the Home
- Certified New Mexico Concealed Carry Instructor #514
Course Design
The syllabus for Introduction to Shooting/CCL Course was based on my education and personal experiences, which allowed me to teach the information in the way I would like to have learned it.
Positions I Have Held
Being active as a woman firearms instructor led to an appointment as the Executive Officer for Women’s Programs with the New Mexico Shooting Sports Association (NMSSA). Also Vice President, Activities Director, and Co-founder of The Women’s Shooting Connection of New Mexico, a women’s shooting organization dedicated to providing shooting and educational opportunities for women.
Shooting Events for Ladies
I organized a Lady Appleseed 2 day Rifle course for women; co-organized a First Shots Shotgun workshop for ladies and; a First Steps Pistol one day class for women who were new to shooting.
Public Outreach
I have given numerous interviews on KKOB radio; been a subject of a feature news story on KOB-TV with Stuart Dyson.
Volunteer Efforts
As one of a seven member focus group I assisted NRA-ILA in creating shooting events to benefit the residents of New Mexico. As a Certified Concealed Carry Instructor I was one of a twelve member focus group asked to review and recommend changes to the NM Department of Public Safety’s Concealed Carry Instructors’ rules and regulations. I am a Committee Member for the NRA Foundation’s Friends of NRA Banquet in Albuquerque.
Gary Newton
My Story
I was first exposed to shooting at Boy Scout Summer Camp where I shot a .22 bolt-action rifle. However, growing up in a non-shooting family in gun-unfriendly Connecticut, I did not have the opportunity to shoot again until my Junior year of college at Air Force ROTC Summer Camp when I shot the M-16.
Early Shooting Experience
During college at the University of Colorado, I was employed by the Campus Police Department, as a Security Guard, and then as a Police Officer. In that capacity, I purchased a Smith & Wesson Model 15 revolver in .38 Special, which I still own. I received basic firearms training.
During my 13 years of service in the Air Force as a Pilot I did not do much shooting. However, as an Instructor Pilot I did learn that I like to teach and was pretty successful at it. I never had a student wash out of Pilot school.
My Training & Certifications
While stationed in New Mexico, I was able to pursue my interest in shooting pistols, rifles and shotguns. My pistol shooting skill improved when I took the NRA Basic Pistol Course and learned the correct techniques for shooting.
Over time I completed NRA courses: Personal Protection in the Home, Personal Protection Outside the Home, Shotgun, Metallic Cartridge Reloading, and Range Safety Officer. I am certified as an Instructor in both the NRA Basic Pistol Course and NRA Personal Protection in the Home Course.
For rifle training I attended the Appleseed Rifle Marksmanship Course twice and have also taken a class with Gil & Vicki Ash of the OSP Shotgun School to learn how to shoot Sporting Clays, (golf with a shotgun).
The New Mexico Department of Public Safety has certified me to teach New Mexico Concealed Carry Courses.