Instructors 

William Hicks

Bill Hicks has 40+ year of shooting experience with Rifles, shotguns and pistols, and 20 years as a first responder and 25 years as a KY certified EMT-B.  Bill was a level II KY Fire Commission Instructor and has taught for both State Fire Rescue Training and the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management, and has achieved a Masters of Loss Prevention and Safety and Doctorate in Education. Dr. Hicks enjoys shooting competition (USPSA/IDPA/3-gun/ATA) and has completed numerous courses offered by many reputable sources including the NRA, USCCA, KY DOJ, Rangemaster, Gunset, as well as numerous private trainers.  

Mr. Hicks is a Rangemaster Certified Instructor, and NRA Certified Instructor for: 

NRA Pistol 

NRA Shotgun 

NRA Rifle

NRA Range Safety Officer

Kentucky State Police approved Concealed Cary Deadly Weapons (CCDW) Permit

ACS Stop the Bleed 

Mr. Hicks is also a firm believer that continuing education is very important and has attended the following notable classes since 2022: 

USCCA Intermediate Defensive Pistol, 8 Hours, Feb. 2022

NRA Basic Pistol, 8 Hours, March 2022

NRA Range Safety Officer, 8 Hours, April 2022

NRA Basic Rifle, 10 Hours, May 2022

NRA Basic Shotgun, 10 Hours, August 2023

Glock Armorer Course, 8 Hours, Jan. 2024

Chief Range Safety Officer, 8 Hours, April 2024

Rangemaster Combative Pistol Skills, Aqil Qadir, 16 Hours, December 2024

Purse, Bag, Sling: How to Use Your Conceal Carry, 3 Hours, Donna Anthony, March 2025

Rangemaster Intensive Pistol Skills, Aqil Qadir, 16 Hours, Rangemaster, April, 2025

Gun Skills Hybrid Course, 16 Hours, Mason Lane L.A.S.T, May, 2025

Defensive Shotgun Essentials, 8 Hours, Jonathan Willis, Gunset Training, LLC, August 2025

Rangemaster Instructor Development Course, Tom Givens, 24 Hours, August 2025

Red Dot Essentials, 8 Hours, Tatiana Whitlock, September 2025

Full Spectrum Shotgun, 16 Hours, Jonathan Willis, Zach Cox, and Adam Roth, November 2025

Samantha Hicks

Samantha Hicks started her journey into shooting sports and self defense about 10 years ago.  Based on one bad experience with that "typical instructor" you unfortunately often hear about, she decided that simple put, she could treat people like they were important regardless of their sex, fears or any other demographic. Sam is a former wild land firefighter, EMT, K9-SAR Handler, rescue technician and has completed numerous courses offered by many reputable sources including the NRA, KY DOJ, and private trainers. 

Mrs. Hicks is a certified instructor for: 

NRA Pistol 

ACS Stop the Bleed

Mrs. Hicks has attended the following notable classes:

NRA Basic Pistol, 8, March 2025

Purse, Bag, Sling: How to Use Your Conceal Carry, 3 Hours, Donna Anthony, March 2025

Red Dot Essentials, 8 Hours, Tatiana Whitlock, September 2025

Ladies Only-Mastering Marksmanship, Tatiana Whitlock, September 2025