Training With the Wrong Instructor Could Cost You Your Freedom
In firearms training, there’s no such thing as a harmless mistake. There’s no do-over in a gunfight and no refund for the injury—or lawsuit—you didn’t see coming. I’ve spent more than 30 years in this industry, and I’ve seen it all. What worries me most today? The explosion of “instructors” who are teaching without licenses, without credentials, and without a clue.
Let’s be clear: not being licensed doesn’t just make a trainer illegal—it makes them dangerous. For you, your family, your department, or your company.
Physical Dangers: It’s Not Just Bruises
Firearms training carries inherent risk. That’s why we mitigate it with structured lesson plans, certified protocols, and state-approved safety procedures. An unlicensed or underqualified instructor often lacks the framework—and the discipline—that prevents real-world injuries.
Example 1: Simunitions Gone Wrong
I was once called in to assess an incident where a civilian was shot point-blank in the neck with a marking cartridge during “force-on-force” training led by a self-proclaimed instructor. No throat guard, no medical prep, no RSO oversight. The round hit the carotid triangle. He was unconscious in seconds. And yes—he sued. And won.
Example 2: Range Negligence
In another case, a group running a “tactical pistol” course had students drawing from appendix carry with loaded Glocks—on a hot line—without confirming any prior firearms experience. One student shot himself through the femoral artery. Bled out before EMS even made it to the gate. The instructor had no license, no insurance, and no legal defense.
You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know”
A telling phrase from RBTA’s Kenneth R. Murray rings true: “There is a very real possibility of putting participants in physical, emotional, and legal jeopardy if corners are cut or staff are unknowledgeable.”. Instructors may not even be aware of the risks they’re exposing their students to—and that’s the most dangerous instructor of all.
Lack of knowledge is forgivable. Lack of qualified instruction is not.
Legal Liability: When You Train Wrong, You’ll Answer for It in Court
Let me say this clearly: If you receive instruction from someone who isn’t properly licensed, and you ever discharge your weapon in self-defense, you may be held liable for how you were trained. That’s not a theory—it’s happening.
Here’s what attorneys will ask in court:
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Who trained you?
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Were they licensed?
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Was the training curriculum approved?
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Were safety protocols documented?
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Can you prove your training met the legal standards of your state?
If your instructor wasn’t authorized to certify or even teach, you could find yourself criminally or civilly liable for using tactics you were improperly taught. That’s especially true in duty-to-retreat or use-of-force states like Florida, where instructional legitimacy is often scrutinized in a courtroom.
And no, “but I didn’t know” isn’t a legal defense.
What Does “Licensed” Really Mean?
Licensing is not just a bureaucratic step. It’s how we weed out incompetence and ensure public safety.
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In Florida, instructors must hold a Class “K” license to teach armed security or private investigator firearms certification.
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For use-of-force instruction, the NRA, Lexipol, and DOJ outline legally defensible policies and techniques.
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Certified trainers must follow mandatory curricula, safety briefings, range protocols, and documentation standards.
When you train under a licensed instructor, you receive instruction that has been reviewed, vetted, and recognized by your state’s governing body. You’re also protected—by insurance, by legal documentation, and by adherence to standards that will hold up in court or in front of an internal affairs board.
Red Flags to Watch For
Not all danger is obvious. Some instructors wear flashy gear, throw around acronyms, or offer “tactical” weekends that look impressive—but would fall apart under scrutiny. The Reality Based Training Association (RBTA) put out a list of red flags for a reason.
If your trainer:
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Can’t provide state-level certification or liability insurance,
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Doesn’t conduct pre-training safety briefings or med plans,
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Encourages dangerous drills like close-quarters muzzle contact or live fire force-on-force without protection,
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Offers no clear documentation, course objectives, or testing standards,
…then you’re not in training. You’re in a lawsuit waiting to happen.
How to Vet an Instructor or Company
Your instructor should be able to answer these questions on command:
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What licenses do you hold?
(e.g., Class K in FL, NRA Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor, etc.) -
Are you insured?
No insurance = No safety net. Period. -
Do you have verifiable references?
Students, agencies, or companies who can vouch. -
Do you use a standardized curriculum?
“I make my own stuff” is not an acceptable answer. -
Do you provide documentation?
Certificates, safety policies, waivers, and requalification schedules should all be included.
If they’re offended by those questions—walk away.
Why This Matters for Civilians and Professionals Alike
Whether you’re an armed citizen protecting your home, a private security officer on duty, or a police officer seeking skill advancement, your training is your legal foundation. It’s the record of what you knew, when you knew it, and how you were prepared to act under stress.
Choosing an unlicensed instructor is like hiring a fake lawyer to represent you in court. You’re trusting your freedom—and your life—to someone who has no business teaching anyone.
Final Word: Don’t Gamble with Your Life
Good training isn’t cheap. Cheap training isn’t good.
We don’t let doctors practice medicine without licenses. We don’t let electricians wire homes without certification. So why would you let someone teach you how to use a deadly weapon without being licensed to do so?
At Valortec, we don’t cut corners. We don’t hand out paper for pay. And we don’t play fast and loose with the safety or legality of our students.
Train smart. Train with professionals.
And remember—when it’s real, there’s no room for amateur hour.
