Adaptive Firearm Training

The one who doesn’t quit has already won!

Applied Freedom Academy’s Adaptive Defensive Training: Enabling the Disabled!

Rick Smith is the founder and chief firearms instructor of Applied Freedom Academy. He is an NRA Certified Training Counselor, Instructor and Chief Range Safety Officer with over 14 years of specialized training in pistol, rifle and shotgun. Rick holds a double Master of Divinity degree he in Psychology and Counseling. He has over 35 years' experience serving others through teaching, counseling, encouraging and equipping people to attain their personal best. He now utilizes those same skills and values educating and instructing others how to use a firearm safely, proficiently and responsibly.

His purpose for founding Applied Freedom Academy is to train and educate law-abiding citizens about responsible gun ownership and the importance of developing a mature mental attitude when using a firearm for personal defense. Whether you are a competitive shooter, seasoned shooter, recreational shooter or unfamiliar with using a firearm, his goal is to make your training experience safe, inspiring, innovative and enjoyable.

Rick loves people and has a passion for life that he wants to instill in others through the shooting sport. He has a vision to inspire, encourage and equip those in wheelchairs or with other physical challenges achieve their highest potential doing what they enjoy. That is why he has worked hard to develop his skills instructing those with varying abilities.

A dilemma cannot stop a determined mind!

There are numerous programs available that allow persons with common challenges to participate in various sports, including competition shooting. Competition matches are a great way to enjoy the shooting sport. These organizations offer different categories and levels based upon a participant's ability.

However, Rick discovered that there is not a lot of information about how to instruct those with physical challenges to defend themselves. He spent hours training himself using different concealed carry methods, drawing, moving and firing a handgun in a wheelchair.

He quickly learned that chaired individuals with varied physical abilities are just as capable of defending themselves as non-chaired persons. They merely require a confident mindset using different, yet effective skills in order to protect themselves or their loved ones.

His Adaptive Firearm Training class offers safe, realistic and effective methods for using a handgun in a wheelchair and what to do if you are ever separated from your chair. He will teach you how to incorporate your wheelchair as a tool into your personal defense strategy rather than viewing it as a limitation or weakness.

He recommends that anyone who has a desire to defend their self and family members against a criminal who would take advantage of them, take a few private lessons with him before participating in group training.

Click here for details and to register.