Confidence begins with knowing
you are prepared
get the self-defense training that keeps you ready.
Training
Comprehensive CPL training and hands-on self-defense courses designed for all skill levels.
E-Learning
Access CPL renewal and self-defense classes online, at your own pace, with expert instruction.
Membership
Community access, USCCA Membership, training discounts, and more.
ABOUT
JOHN SMITH
OWNER & INSTRUCTOR
John Smith, the owner and lead instructor at Smith’s Gun Safety Academy, brings over 20 years of experience in firearms training. As a certified USCCA instructor with a background in the military and law enforcement, he offers comprehensive courses in gun safety and defensive shooting. John’s hands-on approach and commitment to responsible gun ownership ensure that students gain confidence and essential skills. Under his guidance, the academy has become a trusted resource for firearms education.

USCCA Certified
Certifications


Certified Instructor
Concealed Carry & Home Defense Fundamentals

Certified Counselor
Concealed Carry & Home Defense Fundamentals

Women’s Handgun & Self-Defense Fundamentals

Children’s Firearms & Safety Fundamentals

Marksmanship Simplified: Foundations of Handgun Coaching

Emergency First Aid Fundamentals

Countering the Mass Shooter Threat

Defensive Pistol Program

Range Safety Officer

AR-15 Fundamentals

Concealed Carry & Home Defense Fundamentals with Simulations

Defensive Shooting Fundamentals – Level 1
TRAINING
Featured Events
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3 Hour In-Person Renewal Michigan Concealed Carry Pistol License CCW/CPL Class
3-Hour Michigan CPL IN PERSON Renewal Class – This class is valid for ALL Counties…
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1-Day Michigan Concealed Carry CCW/CPL Class
Join Detroit Arms for our LIVE & IN PERSON, this is your first step toward obtaining your…
Excellent course with a comprehensive program. The class has sufficiently times breaks to make the course easier to sit through. They kept it fun and enjoyable while informative.
Great class I highly recommend for anyone wanting their CPL for the first time or like me getting my license done over for another state
Highly recommend! I had taken the class a few years ago as a Florida resident, I this class was far more informative in the first hour. Great instructors. Would recommend to family and friends.
Very informative and professional. Very organized. Couldn't have been better.! Highly recommended. And great cookies!
I took my original class at Detroit Arms and have taken the renewal class three times as of 9/27/25. I find taking the class in person, you just lear so much more and you have the opportunity to ask questions and get clarification. I've also taken other, highly beneficial and recommended training at Detroit Arms. Do yourself a favor and schedule YOUR class with the best, local trainers around. You will not be sorry.
Just finished the 8 hour class. It was packed with valuable information, and plenty of good tips. Everyone was professional and pleasant to work with. Lunch was provided along with drinks and snacks. Thank you Detroit Arms!
Awesome teachers , very knowledgeable and will answer any questions u need . Took their time in teaching us , I highly recommend them . Thanks guys
Very knowledgeable & helpful! The instructors were Amazing! Thank you all!!!
I highly recommend Detroit Arms. Registration was easy and you’ll be greeted at the door. The instructor is knowledgeable, patient, and clear. All material is provided for you. An 8 hour class on a Saturday can appear to be “intimidating “; however, the material is intriguing and they provide plenty of breaks. From start to finish, you’ll get all that you need from Detroit Arms. Just a heads up, the home made chocolate chip cookies are amazing and you can’t have just one. Enjoy!
Very informative class!! It was fun, instructor keep your interest and help out a lot!! Range needs to be closer!!
My Husband and I enjoyed the class. I learned more in the class than I ever expected. Thanks for your time teaching us. You keep the class interesting and enjoyable. Thanks for what you do. Tammy
Had a great learning experience and great instructors. We were provided snacks along with lunch. They made sure to answer any questions you have and to go through with each individually on certain things . Overall great experience.
Friendly and knowledgeable, will be recommending to all friends and family.
Excellent CPL/CCW course!! Instructors are extremely knowledgeable and Doreen is amazing!! Strongly recommend going with Detroit Arms!!
Excellent class to take, gives you good inside to keep yourself and loved ones safe. Doreen and her crew let you know what to do and what not to do when you are carrying a firearm.
The staff was extremely helpful and friendly I liked how they joked around with each other and the pizza was good all an all I thought was a great class
Had an Ow-some time at this class & range.Doreen was a grate host and the Instructors were also Ow-some.Will rec amend this class to any one that i know.
It really is a first step to the CPL license. And Doreen even help me set up my appointment in Mount Clemens.
Great place great knowledge overall would highly Reccomend. Actually care about teaching you what you need to know.
Detroit arms is a wonderful place to receive your CPL training! They are extremely through and knowledgeable and go over every aspect of what you need to learn and know and provide video, slides and pamphlets of all the tools you will need to learn and know what you can and can't do and where you can and cant carry. They give accounts and details of past scenarios that have happened and explain what's going on ....right or wrong. There is also a firearms training course at the end of the class. They also provide a refresher course and multiple other courses too. Doreen is fantastic and so is Carl....very insightful. I have sent my family and friends there and all say the same....they are GREAT. They also provide food and snacks, water and coffee, tea, hot chocolate. It is a great learning experience!! you won't be disappointed!!
CPL class was the full and required 8 hours. Very informative. Anyone from rookie to expert will find it beneficial.
I had a great training experience at a recent CPL training class with Detroit Arms. I recommend them.
I recently took this Michigan CPL class to learn about gun safety and laws in Michigan. This was a long class, 9 hours, and a lot of information to take in. The presenters - Doreen and Carl did a great job with presenting that information. They told a lot of stories and had a great sense of humor. Like they stressed in class, this is only the tip of the iceberg as far as what we need to learn, but a very good beginning. I would highly recommend this class.
I took the in person renewal class so I could gain knowledge in a social setting. Many questions were asked and all of them were answered in good detail. I found it informative to hear other people's questions and comments.
The CPL class was great. Lots of knowledge transfer and clear instructions. We enjoyed the interaction with instructors and other students.
Highly recommend !!! Both me and my wife attended Detroit Arms Cpl class and had a great experience. Very knowledgeable and they really take the time to explain everything! We will continue attend further training with them! Side note: the best cookies around ! Thanks for everything!!!!
Doreen, Carl and Dom were all extremely knowledgeable and approachable. Their blending of legal speak with real world application made this class interesting and informative.
Very informative class. Instructors were awesome. I highly recommend anyone who is looking to get their CPL to use Detroit Arms.
My daughter and I spent the day learning about receiving our CPL our trainers were very knowledgeable and professional. We highly recommend them.
My wife and I needed to renew our CPLs and took the online course offered by Detroit Arms. It's an on demand, go at your own pace USCCA-certified course and is reasonably priced. Also, I had some technical issues and Doreen was awesome at helping and responded quickly. Will definitely be using again in the future!
I highly recommend Detroit Arms. The class that I attended was extremely packed yet it went smooth. There’s a lot of content to cover and they do a great job. They provide snacks and lunch (which is nice as not every place offers that). It is iterated constantly during the course that you have to continue to practice (and I agree 100%). If you pass the course they have the packet ready for you to fill out. Just remember to NOT sign in until the county clerk asks you to sign it.
Great class, great teachers. Doreen’s cookies were awesome. Would suggest this company to anyone looking to get their CPL
Great class, very informative. I'd recommend to anyone wanting an in person cpl class.
Great class. Very knowledgeable and informative. The icing on the cake was the homemade cookies and lunch. Doreen is the best!
Detriot Arms is simply the best. Second to none. Best instructors, great facility, best prices, up to date legal information and unlimited availability to get your CPL. Amazing staff amd great atmosphere. Dorian makes everyone feel welcoed and valued.
The CPL class at Detroit Arms was outstanding! Even though we had class time from 10 am to 5:30 pm, never once did I look at my watch, and time flew by. Their training ranges from how to grasp a handgun to the potential legal complications if you find yourself needing to use deadly force to defend yourself or other innocents. Owners Doreen and Jim Hankins provided a tasty lunch, as well as beverages and snacks throughout. They follow you to the range, which is a few blocks down the road, make sure everything is in order, and observe your shooting test and act as a coach. I had a great experience and highly recommend this CPL training to anyone who wants the best.