Center Mass: Mississippi Firearms Training, LLC

Center Mass: Mississippi Firearms Training, LLC, offers the finest firearms training classes in South Mississippi, including the NRA First Steps Pistol Course, the NRA Basic Pistol Course, and the Mississippi Enhanced Firearms Permit Course (Commonly referred to as the “enhanced concealed carry permit course”), Personal Protection Inside the Home, and Personal Protection Outside the Home. Based in Gulfport, Mississippi, Center Mass teaches classes across the Gulf Coast, including Pass Christian, Gulfport and Biloxi. Our climate-controlled classroom facilities allow us to teach pistol classes throughout the year.

Instructors

Instructor Ian Stewart is a professional trainer and soldier in the Mississippi Army National Guard, having served in Afghanistan. Ian is an NRA Certified Pistol Instructor, and has been certified by the State of Mississippi to teach the necessary course to obtain the enhanced endorsement for the Mississippi Firearms Permit (also known as “enhanced concealed carry permit”). His extensive, world-class training in firearms includes proficiency in pistol, rifle, and fully-automatic firearms. Ian grew up in Gulfport. Ian offers his firearms expertise to each client. His military training and service provides a unique set of firearms skills worth sharing.

Instructor Jason Savarese is a professional trainer, author, and attorney in Gulfport, who brings his 25 years of firearms experience and legal knowledge to the classroom and gun range to assist the public in becoming more comfortable and proficient with the use of firearms, as well as the laws that govern their legal use and carry. Jason is a certified by the NRA in the areas of Pistol Instructor, Personal Protection Inside the Home, and Personal Protection Outside the Home. Jason has also been certified by the State of Mississippi to teach the necessary course to obtain the enhanced endorsement for the Mississippi Firearms Permit (also known as “enhanced concealed carry permit”). Jason is an avid hunter and learned to shoot at a young age, including 3 years as a sharpshooter with the U.S. Marine Corps JROTC unit based in Gulfport. His experience and zest for all things firearms-related has included training with pistols, rifles, shotguns, and submachine guns, such as the ubiquitous Heckler & Koch MP5. Jason is a member of the National Rifle Association, Glock Sport Shooting Association, and Gun Owners of America. Jason grew up in Gulfport.

Center Mass offers training and advice for the novice shooter, who is thinking of purchasing their first handgun, as well as advanced training for experienced shooters who are comfortable with the use of their with own firearms.

Why drive hours to attend a firearms class?

Center Mass offers the training you need, right here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, using local instructors. Whether you recently purchased your first firearm and need some training in the basics, or you are an experienced shooter wanting to further hone your firearm skills, Center Mass has the right curriculum and instructors to bring out the best in you. Save your time and gas money; the firearms training you need is available in South Mississippi.

Small classes and individual attention using highly-qualified instructors are the hallmarks of any great teaching institution, and Center Mass is no different; we limit class size in order to maximize the personalized instruction such class size makes possible. For those wanting to learn how to safely use and carry their firearm, and for those seeking the enhanced endorsement for their Mississippi Firearms Permit, the individualized classes taught by Center Mass are the right choice for any shooter.

For much less than price of the last gun you purchased, Center Mass can teach you the secrets that will dramatically improve your safe handling of firearms, and improve your accuracy, speed and defensive tactics. The safe and efficient use of firearms can mean the difference between life and death, for you or a loved one. You owe it to yourself and your family to become a skilled user of firearms, before any situation arises where your firearm might be needed.

No matter your reason for attending a class with Center Mass, your individual training needs will be addressed. The marksmanship, safe firearms handling, tactical training, and enhanced firearms permit courses are taught by Center Mass’ personable, real-world, knowledgeable instructors who will dramatically increase your skills and confidence in the safe and accurate use of firearms. We teach our classes in a friendly, non-aggressive manner, to put you at ease and encourage frank discussion and questions. From the classroom lectures, to the shooting drills, to the live-fire training, Center Mass is structured to give you top-notch firearms training.

Classes offered by Center Mass include training on the following subjects:

1. Basic Firearms Safety
2. Defensive Shooting Safety
3. Safe Firearm Storage
4. Defensive shooting concepts
5. Basic defensive shooting skills
6. Shooting positions
7. Aiming and firing techniques
8. Gun handling
9. Opportunities for firearm skill enhancement
10. Making you and your home safer
11. Selecting a firearm for personal protection
12. Selecting ammunition for personal protection
13. Selecting firearm accessories
14. Firearm maintenance
15. Information and training resources
16. Target Identification and acquisition
17. The psychological steps involved in identifying and reacting to a target

NRA FIRST Steps Pistol Course

FIRST stands for “Firearm Instruction, Responsibility, and Safety Training”. The FIRST Steps program is an abbreviated version of the Basic Pistol course that is broken down to the most fundamental shooting skills, and the specifics of a particular model of pistol, and generally runs about 4 hours. This class is recommended for youths ages 5-16.

NRA Basic Pistol Course

As part of its Basic Pistol Course, Center Mass teaches the basic knowledge, skills, and attitude for owning and operating a pistol safely. This course is at least 8-hours long and includes classroom and range instruction to shoot revolvers and semi-automatic pistols. Students learn NRA’s rules for safe gun handling; pistol parts and operation; ammunition; shooting fundamentals; range rules; shooting from the bench rest position, the two handed standing positions; cleaning the pistol; and continued opportunities for skill development. Students who complete the Basic Pistol Course will receive the NRA Guide to the Basics of Pistol Shooting handbook, NRA Gun Safety Rules brochure, Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification booklet; a “Basic Practical” patch rocker, and a course completion certificate.

Mississippi Enhanced Firearms Permit Course

In accordance with Section 97-37-7 of the Mississippi Code 1972, Annotated:

“….A person licensed under Section 45-9-101 to carry a concealed pistol, who has voluntarily completed an instructional course in the safe handling and use of firearms offered by an instructor certified by a nationally recognized organization that customarily offers firearms training, or by any other organization approved by the Department of Public Safety, shall also be authorized to carry weapons in courthouses except in courtrooms during a judicial proceeding, and any location listed in subsection (13) of Section 45-9-101, except any place of nuisance as defined in Section 95-3-1, any police, sheriff or highway patrol station or any detention facility, prison or jail. The department shall promulgate rules and regulations allowing concealed pistol permit holders to obtain endorsement on their permit indicating that they have completed pistol the aforementioned course and have the authority to carry in these locations…..”

The aforementioned statute references what is commonly called the “enhanced endorsement to the Mississippi Firearms Permit” or the “enhanced concealed weapons permit”. This enhancement protects the bearer of such under law to carry their concealed weapon in places that were previously off-limits.

Both Ian Stewart and Jason Savarese are certified by The State of Mississippi to award the certification needed to obtain the enhanced endorsement to the Mississippi Firearms Permit.

**Please note: we are neither a gun store nor a gun range; we offer firearms training.