About Erik

Erik’s lifelong affiliation with firearms began almost 60 years ago, when he was first introduced by his father to clay pigeon shooting and bird hunting. Summers were spent reloading shotgun shells and working at the local trap and skeet range—experiences that laid the foundation for a lifelong respect for firearms, discipline, and safety.

In the early 2000s, a series of violent home invasions—including one that targeted his own neighborhood—motivated Erik to pursue self-defense training to better protect his family and home. That personal motivation ultimately became a passion to empower others with real-world skills and the mindset needed to protect themselves and those they know, love and care about.

Today, Erik is a certified instructor through both the NRA and USCCA, with hundreds of hours and thousands of rounds invested in training. His expertise includes pistol, rifle, shotgun, low-light, CQB, trauma care, and scenario-based training, along with the legal and moral responsibilities of armed self-defense.

His certifications include:

• NRA Certified Instructor: Pistol, Rifle, Range Safety Officer (RSO), Chief RSO (CRSO), Personal Protection Inside the Home and Personal Protection Outside the Home
• USCCA Certified Instructor: Concealed Carry and Home Defense

Erik’s experience as an instructor in both California and Utah includes:

• AllSafe Defense Systems and the Orange County Sheriff’s Dept.- providing basic through advanced self-defense along with CCW licensing programs;
• Ladies Shooting League- women’s group focused on self-defense and firearms training;
• Bullets & Bagels- a non-profit group that regularly hosts recreational shooting events and firearms training;
• BPMF & The F2 Group – Co-Founder of a community training center providing health, safety and wellness programs along with live fire and virtual simulator training ;
• Fight Back Nation – Defensive tactics and crisis preparation for school personnel and administrators.

Erik also trained with Direct Measures International and ACT Cert- groups that specialize in VIP and executive protection courses, along with workplace, school and personal safety programs.

He is a Life Member of the NRA, and an active member of Firearms Policy Coalition, Gun Owners of America, and Gun Owners of California.

Professional Background

Prior to becoming a full-time firearms instructor, Erik enjoyed a long and successful career in commercial construction, consulting, finance and development. Beginning as a field carpenter, he advanced into project management, worked on iconic projects like the J. Paul Getty Museum, and Disney’s California Adventure, along with projects for major auto, medical, hospitality, and retail clients. Now retired from the construction industry, Erik has more time to be with family, friends and at the range.

Hobbies and Interests

An avid collector of WWII Army Air Corps militaria, Erik is also a long time military history enthusiast, with a particularly interest in the events and people that still shape and impact our world today.

Philosophy and Approach to Training

Consistently and deliberately provide the best possible, most relevant training for our students so they are confident, responsible firearms owners and 2nd Amendment advocates.