Building Responsible Decision-Makers Through Firearms Safety, Preparedness & Education Professional firearms safety instruction serving Hampton Roads, Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware. Led by Brian "Doc" Bowen 17-Year U.S. Navy Veteran • Former Navy Hospital Corpsman Who Served with Marines USCCA Certified Instructor • Cabela's Shield Certified Instructor 📞 Call Today: (210) 705-1453 📺 YouTube: @FSFLLC 📘 Facebook: Firearms Safety First, LLC
FIREARMS SAFETY FIRST, LLC
Better Decisions Today Create Safer Communities Tomorrow.
Training, Consulting & Professional Development focused on judgment, safety, preparedness, responsibility and performance.
Firearms Safety First, LLC helps individuals, instructors, organizations and communities develop the knowledge, judgment and decision-making skills needed to recognize problems earlier, respond responsibly, and perform more effectively when decisions matter.
Firearms Education • Instructor Development • Community Safety • Organizational Preparedness • Professional Development
Brian K. (Doc) Bowen
Founder & Chief Instructor
17-Year U.S. Navy Veteran | Former Navy Hospital Corpsman (FMF)
USCCA Certified Instructor | Cabela's SHIELD Certified Instructor
Serving Hampton Roads and beyond, with firearms training available in Virginia, Maryland & Delaware.
📞 (210) 705-1453
About Us
About Firearms Safety First, LLC
Firearms Safety First, LLC is a training, consulting, and professional development company focused on helping individuals, instructors, organizations, and communities strengthen judgment, responsibility, preparedness, leadership, and decision-making.
Founded by Brian K. (Doc) Bowen, a 17-year U.S. Navy veteran and former Navy Hospital Corpsman (FMF), FSF, LLC was built on a simple belief:
Knowledge, preparation, and sound judgment save lives.
What began primarily as firearms safety education has grown into a broader organization serving people and organizations wherever safety, preparedness, human performance, and responsible decision-making matter.
Training & Experience
Doc is a USCCA Certified Instructor and Range Safety Officer, Maryland Qualified Handgun Instructor (QHIC), Delaware Concealed Deadly Weapons Instructor, and Cabela's SHIELD Certified Instructor. His perspective on firearms safety education and youth violence prevention has also been featured by WHRO.
FSF, LLC provides firearms education throughout Hampton Roads and Virginia, Southern Maryland, and Delaware for first-time firearm owners, experienced shooters, families, responsible armed citizens, and individuals completing court-ordered firearms safety requirements.
The company's work also includes instructor development, community safety and prevention, organizational preparedness, consulting, speaking, and professional development.
Across these areas, the objective remains consistent: help people recognize problems earlier, think critically, make responsible decisions, and perform effectively when circumstances become difficult or uncertain.
Our Philosophy
We don't teach people what to think. We teach them how to think before they decide.
Technical knowledge matters, but knowledge alone does not guarantee good decisions.
FSF, LLC emphasizes the human factors that influence performance: awareness, communication, judgment, confidence, responsibility, preparation, and the ability to adapt when circumstances change.
Whether working with a new firearm owner, an aspiring instructor, a community organization, or a professional team, we believe effective training should do more than provide information.
It should develop the person who must make the decision.
Our Mission
Our mission isn't to create gun owners. Our mission is to develop responsible decision-makers.
We help people recognize problems early, prepare before problems become emergencies, think critically under pressure, and make better decisions when it matters most.
At FSF, LLC, we believe:
Confidence is earned through knowledge.
Safety is strengthened through preparation.
Leadership requires responsibility.
Good judgment must be developed before it is tested.
Better Decisions Today Create Safer Communities Tomorrow.
Courses Offered
Training, Education & Professional Development
Firearms Safety First, LLC provides professional training, education, and development programs designed to strengthen knowledge, judgment, responsibility, preparedness, and performance.
Our programs serve firearm owners, aspiring instructors, families, professionals, businesses, community organizations, and others who recognize that good decisions begin long before a critical moment occurs.
Whether developing technical firearms skills, preparing for greater instructional responsibility, or strengthening safety and preparedness within an organization, FSF, LLC emphasizes a common principle:
Prepare before the decision matters.
⭐ Signature Firearms Program
Six-Week Steps to Certification Program
Our flagship firearms training program is designed for individuals who want more than a one-day permit class.
Through progressive instruction over six weeks, students develop safe firearm handling skills, situational awareness, legal knowledge, marksmanship fundamentals, defensive preparedness, and confidence through consistent practice and professional coaching.
The program reflects our belief that responsible firearm ownership requires more than meeting a minimum requirement.
Responsible firearm ownership is a journey—not a one-day event.
🔰 Concealed Carry & State Certification Training
Virginia Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP)
Comprehensive instruction designed to satisfy Virginia training requirements while emphasizing firearm safety, legal responsibilities, conflict avoidance, situational awareness, and responsible concealed carry.
Maryland Wear & Carry Permit & Handgun Qualification License (HQL)
Professional instruction covering applicable Maryland licensing requirements, firearm safety, legal responsibilities, live-fire qualification, and defensive preparedness.
Delaware Concealed Deadly Weapons (CCDW)
State-approved instruction addressing Delaware concealed-carry requirements, including classroom education, legal responsibilities, firearm safety, and live-fire qualification.
Our objective isn't simply helping students meet a requirement. We want them prepared for the responsibilities that come after it.
🎯 Firearms Fundamentals
Develop the foundation for safe, confident, and responsible firearm ownership.
Programs include:
Basic Handgun Fundamentals
Women's Handgun Fundamentals
Young Adult Firearms Responsibility (Ages 18–20)
Family Firearms Safety
Handgun Cleaning & Maintenance
Instruction is adapted to the student's experience, abilities, and learning needs rather than assuming every student requires the same solution.
🛡️ Defensive Skills & Performance Development
Training beyond basic firearm operation, emphasizing technical proficiency, judgment, disciplined practice, and responsible decision-making.
Programs include:
Defensive Pistol Fundamentals
Holster Draw Fundamentals
Red & Green Dot Fundamentals
Practical Application & Live-Fire Coaching
Students learn not only how to perform a skill, but how to recognize performance problems, make appropriate corrections, and continue developing through purposeful practice.
🎓 Aspiring Instructor Development
Aspiring Firearms Instructor Development Program
Designed for individuals considering or preparing for formal firearms instructor certification who want to arrive better prepared to learn.
The program develops foundational knowledge, communication, presentation skills, observation, coaching, professionalism, judgment, teach-back experience, and instructor mindset while reinforcing familiarity with applicable USCCA Concealed Carry & Home Defense Fundamentals material.
This is an instructor-development and preparation program. It does not certify participants as firearms instructors and is not a USCCA Instructor Certification Course. Brian K. (Doc) Bowen is not acting as a USCCA Training Counselor through this program.
The objective is simple:
Prepare, Don't Preempt.
Candidates develop a stronger foundation before progressing to formal certification training with an authorized Training Counselor.
⚖️ Specialized Firearms Education
Programs designed around specific student needs and circumstances include:
Court-Ordered Firearms Safety & Legal Awareness
Military & Veteran Firearms Training
Senior Firearms Safety
Private One-on-One Coaching
Refresher Training
Every student is treated professionally and respectfully, regardless of why they came to training.
🤝 Community Safety & Prevention
FSF, LLC works with community organizations, faith-based organizations, businesses, healthcare professionals, civic groups, families, and other partners to provide education focused on prevention, awareness, preparedness, and responsible decision-making.
Topics may include:
Firearm Safety & Injury Prevention
Situational Awareness
Personal Safety
Conflict Avoidance
Youth & Family Safety Education
Responsible Decision-Making
Community Preparedness
The goal is not simply responding to emergencies.
It is recognizing problems earlier and creating opportunities for better decisions before circumstances escalate.
🏢 Organizational Training & Professional Development
FSF, LLC is expanding its work with organizations and professionals in areas where judgment, leadership, preparedness, communication, and human performance affect safety and outcomes.
Programs and customized engagements may address:
Judgment & Decision-Making
Situational Awareness
Leadership & Responsibility
Performance Under Pressure
Workplace Safety & Preparedness
Emergency Preparedness
Human Performance & Recovery
Customized Professional Development
Programs may be delivered through training, workshops, presentations, speaking engagements, or consulting based on organizational needs.
🚧 Programs in Development
FSF, LLC continues to develop programs supporting individual, professional, and organizational preparedness.
Current development areas include:
House of Worship Safety & Security
Countering the Mass Shooter Threat
Non-Lethal Personal Defense
Readiness Without Escalation
Additional Judgment & Decision-Making Programs
RIRR Performance Recovery applications
Programs listed as in development are not currently represented as available courses until formally launched.
Why FSF, LLC?
Every FSF program begins with the same principle:
Our mission isn't to create gun owners. Our mission is to develop responsible decision-makers.
That philosophy extends beyond firearms.
Whether someone is learning to safely handle a firearm, preparing to become an instructor, developing professional skills, or strengthening preparedness within an organization, we want them to leave better equipped to:
Recognize. Think. Decide. Act responsibly. Learn. Adapt.
Because technical proficiency matters.
But ultimately, the person must make the decision.
Better Decisions Today Create Safer Communities Tomorrow.
See Why Our Patrons Trust Firearms Safety First for Expert Firearm Training
“The training was exceptional and tailored to our needs. I feel much more confident with my firearm now!”
“I took the women's handgun fundamentals class and it was empowering in every sense. Highly recommend!”
““He was very knowledgeable and explained everything to my understanding.””
““My girls and I truly enjoyed our class. Mr. Brian was patient and knowledgeable with his credit. Looking forward to more trainings with him.””
““The class was great! Very knowledgeable, personable and skilled! Pure expert! Answered every question I could think of plus some! You will know when the class is done! I will continue to take more of his classes!””
““Just want to say I appreciate Brian Bowen. He was so patient and a pleasure to work with. My first time!””
““Very informative, relaxed, and cool instructor. Made me feel comfortable while learning safe and essential practices. I will definitely be back to learn more!””
“ Brian leads just as his business name states, with safety first always. He keeps it 100 and shows he cares about the development of his students and fellow instructors. He puts in the time to mentor. His shooting skills are a reflection of his love for the craft. As he expects his students to perform, he performs as well. Thank you so much for your continued assistance and strong work ethic Brian “Ole Man” Much respect to you. Highly recommended! Stay Ready! PT”
Enroll Today for Expert Firearm Training in Hampton, VA
Professional Firearms Safety & Preparedness Education
At Firearms Safety First, LLC, we believe responsible firearm ownership begins with education, preparation, and sound decision-making. As a mobile training academy serving Hampton Roads, the Commonwealth of Virginia, Southern Maryland, and Delaware, we provide professional firearms safety instruction for individuals, families, military members, first responders, businesses, community organizations, and responsible citizens seeking quality education.
Whether you're purchasing your first firearm, pursuing a concealed carry permit, improving your defensive skills, participating in our Six-Week Steps to Certification Program, or fulfilling a court-ordered firearms safety requirement, every class is designed to provide a safe, supportive, and professional learning experience tailored to your goals, experience level, and personal responsibilities.
Our instruction extends well beyond marksmanship. Every program emphasizes the knowledge, judgment, and practical skills needed to safely own, carry, and use a firearm with confidence and responsibility.
Students develop practical knowledge in:
Safe firearm handling
Situational awareness
Conflict avoidance and de-escalation
Legal responsibilities and use-of-force considerations
Defensive preparedness
Responsible decision-making under pressure
Firearms Safety First, LLC proudly offers specialized programs for women, young adults, families, military veterans, first responders, and first-time firearm owners, creating a welcoming environment where every student can learn with confidence, ask questions, and develop skills at their own pace.
Beyond technical instruction, Firearms Safety First, LLC is committed to helping individuals become safer, more prepared, and more confident in the decisions they make before, during, and after critical situations. We believe education is one of the most effective tools for preventing unnecessary conflict and promoting personal responsibility.
Our Philosophy
We don't teach people what to think.
We teach them how to think before they decide.
Everything we do is guided by one objective:
Help people recognize problems early, think critically, and make better decisions when it matters most.
Our mission isn't to create gun owners.
Our mission is to develop responsible decision-makers through education, preparation, and personal responsibility.
Whether you're attending your first class or continuing your firearms education, Firearms Safety First, LLC is committed to providing professional instruction that builds confidence, competence, sound judgment, and lifelong safety habits.
Ready to Begin?
If you're ready to begin your firearms education or continue developing your knowledge and skills, Firearms Safety First, LLC is here to help.
Contact us today to learn more about our training programs or to schedule your next class.
📞 (210) 705-1453
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