Learn Gun Safety and Defensive Shooting Techniques in a comfortable environment

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Gold-Standard Firearms Training With Jerry Ranson

Experience gun handling and personal defense training in a conducive and safe environment at Palmetto Patriot Firearms Training. Based in Fort Mill, South Carolina, I will work closely with you to help you develop an effective training plan that suits your specific needs.

Get to Know Your Course Instructor

I am a knowledgeable range safety officer and firearms instructor certified by the US Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) and the NRA. Utilizing innovative methods, I strive to provide engaging self‑defense and weapons training courses for interested individuals in small‑sized classes.

VIEW MY USCCA AND NRA INSTRUCTOR PAGE

Credentials

  • USCCA Instructor Certifications

    • Defensive Shooting Fundamentals
    • Concealed Carry and Home Defense
    • Women’s Handgun and Self‑Defense
    • Countering the Mass Shooter Threat
    • Range Safety Officer
    • Training Counselor - Concealed Carry and Home Defense
    • Real Estate Agent Safety
    • Basic Handgun
    • AR-15 Home & Personal Protection Fundamentals
    • Emergency First Aid Fundamentals
    • Children's Firearm Safety Fundamentals

  • National Rifle Association (NRA) Instructor Certifications

    • Firearms Instructor
    • Range Safety Officer
    • Refuse To Be A Victim® Course Instructor
    • Basic Pistol Instructor
    • Chief Range Safety Officer

  • North Carolina DOJ Certified Firearms Instructor and South Carolina SLED Certified Firearms Instructor

  • ASP Be "Your Own Defender" Pepper Spray Instructor

  • Safety Certificates

    • Stop the Bleed
    • American Red Cross Adult/Pediatric: First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor

Course Locations

Palmetto Patriot Firearms Training

Pappy's Range & Gun Shop

Pappy's is a convenient outdoor range located in Edgemoor, SC.

What Students Have to Say About Palmetto Patriot Firearms Training

Mark T.

July 8, 2023

Excellent

“Jerry is a great teacher. He took his time to explain everything, giving examples and anything we didn’t understand in class; he went over it until we understood. Jerry made the class fun and the test felt very easy in the end because of the preparation he took to teach us. Thank-you Jerry.”

Miguel S.

June 26, 2023

Excellent
“Jerry was amazing. Homest, straightforward and his jokes were hilarious. Very thorough with guns laws and safety.”

Jason B.

June 19, 2023

Excellent
“All I can say is WOW! Jerry was awesome, very knowledgeable, very patient. He repeatedly drilled the proper techniques. I would recommend this training course to anyone.”

June 18, 2023

Excellent

“Great instructor, learned a ton of valuable info and got terrific training on the range.”

Scott C.

May 8, 2023

"Class was great for my wife and I. Jerry was outstanding and gave us all the time we needed and answered questions completely."

Jurentino B.

May 6, 2023

"Let me know when Mister Jerry is in the building and I will come and take the class again"

Apr 28, 2023

"Very informative both in content and methodology. I would aspire to emulate the same method of instruction. very pleased"

Tyrell H.

Apr 28, 2023

"The instructor is the best I’ve ever worked with he explains everything in an easy way and he give great advice on starting out definitely will be back to take more classes."

Blaine F.

Apr 4, 2023

"Informative, enlightening and fun class! Worth the time and effort by far."

Brenda H.

Jul 27, 2021

"Excellent information taught. I will definitely be more aware of my surroundings. Jerry was very well organized and encouraged questions. Top notch teacher!"

Mark H.

Jul 27, 2021

"Excellent presentation with superb real‑life examples. I took away a bounty of safety information. I’ve already ordered a number of the safety items mentioned at the close of the session. Very stimulating and thought‑provoking!"

Ken C.

Jun 14, 2021

"Jerry was a thorough instructor and very organized. He made this process as smooth as possible. Definitely someone I would consider doing other classes with."

Joseph W.

May 18, 2021

"Jerry Ranson was my instructor and he was great, both in his expertise and professionalism. Even with former military training Jerry made this class very insightful from a knowledge and fundamental standpoint, as well as functionally on the range. Plus it was fun and great conversation regarding scenarios and personal experiences."

John Y.

May 13, 2021

"Jerry did a great job taking me through the course. He is a very competent and thorough instructor. Highly recommend him to anyone."

Kelly L.

May 8, 2021

"Professional and well delivered. I would recommend Jerry Ranson and Palmetto Patriot Firearms Training"

Sophia W.

Apr 26, 2021

"Jerry was a great instructor. He had many in his class who were not familiar or comfortable around fire arms when the course first started. However, through his patience, guidance, and knowledge he was able to allow his students to feel confident in carrying and pass the course. I would highly recommend training with Jerry. I look forward to taking other courses he offers in the future."

Brion W.

Mar 7, 2021

"Really enjoyed the glass (defensive handgun fund) Jerry Random showed us some techniques which helped me improve my shooting. Looking forward to taking some more advanced classes!"

Dave

Jerry,

It was a real pleasure to take your class. As I mentioned, I was a bit...frustrated(?).. that I had to take a basic pistol course from the NRA, but I am grateful that I was fortunate to have such a great instructor who was able to keep me engaged and interested. It was a great day and you have a real talent for teaching. I hope that we can work together in the future. With all your qualifications, I think it's pretty likely I'll be signing up for more classes from you as I continue down this path. Any day at the range is a good day!

Thanks again,
Dave

Class taken on Jan 14, 2023

"Jerry did an excellent job to prepare me for my future endeavors as a USCCA instructor."

Class taken on Jan 7, 2023

"Wonderful class. Jerry is a good instructor and cares about the quality of teaching."

Class taken on Oct 23, 2022

"Jerry’s instruction style is very clear and spot on. Made me feel confident in my drills. Safety was a priority throughout the day. Thank you Jerry. Already looking forward to future classes."

Matt W.

Dec 3, 2023

"Jerry was phenomenal! We actually learned and enjoyed the class I’ll be back to other classes!"

Amanda W.

Nov 13, 2023

"My husband and I had a great training with Jerry! He was very interactive, and we look forward to the next training we can do with him!"

Kathy S.

Oct 18, 2023

"Jerry was very thorough. We were so in tuned to him while he was speaking. He really helped us understand the safety of guns, the SC Laws. He was great."

Lora H.

Oct 15, 2023

"Very informative and helpful experience! Jerry was extremely knowledgeable and personable the entire time. He always made sure everyone understood the material and instructions before proceeding which showed his passion for teaching and gun safety. Highly recommend!"

Tarrik D.

Jun 16, 2024

"I recently had the pleasure of attending the USCCA Concealed Carry & Home Defense Instructor class led by the remarkable Jerry Ranson. Jerry’s expertise and teaching style truly set this course apart. His ability to blend comprehensive instruction with an engaging and enjoyable atmosphere made the learning process not only informative but also incredibly fun. Jerry’s commitment to excellence was evident in every aspect of the course. He went above and beyond to ensure that all students fully grasped the material, providing personalized attention and support whenever needed. His passion for empowering others in responsible firearm use and home defense strategies was both inspiring and contagious. This class has not only equipped me with valuable skills but also instilled a greater sense of confidence in my abilities. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from such an exceptional instructor and would highly recommend Jerry Ranson’s class to anyone looking to deepen their understanding of concealed carry and home defense."

Matthew R.

Feb 25, 2024

"Jerry Ranson taught a very professional and educational class. I will definitely take another one of his classes!"

Robert D.

Feb 25, 2024

"Excellent class. Jerry is a fantastic instructor. I wish I had taken class sooner. As our society becomes more lawless, we need to take personal responsibility for the safety of our loved ones."

Matthew C.

Feb 18, 2024

"Our USCCA Training Counselor Jerry Ranson was professional and clearly communicated both days. I was beyond impressed with his attention to detail and safety. His teaching style allowed for questions, breaks and discussions which helped me to not get overwhelmed, but instead leave the course confident in the material. I can’t say enough about my experance. I highly recommend Jerry Ranson as your USCCA Instructor and Training Counselor. I will be taking more of his classes for sure! To sum it up: Great two days, learned a lot, felt safe, clear communication, confidence moving forward. "

Bob G.

July 7, 2023

Excellent
“Jerry was a great teacher. Very thorough and took his time to answer my questions.”

Jeffery H.

June 24, 2023

Excellent
“Jerry was very knowledgeable, patient and explained the course drills very well. I have been shooting for several months but I learned a number of valuable lessons while attending the course that I can use to become more proficient with my firearm and shooting skills.”

Tanita B.

June 18, 2023

Excellent
“Our instructor was patient and took pride in his responsibility as an instructor.”

Class taken on Nov 30, 2022

"Jerry was a very good and knowledgeable trainer. He made me feel very comfortable with handling the gun. He made sure I understand what he was going over before he moved to the next section. I really enjoyed the class and the experience will definitely recommend him to anyone looking to take a Concealed Weapons Class."

Class taken on Aug 28, 2022

"Great making sure we know what we are doing on and off the range!"

Jay V.

Mar 7, 2021

"Jerry is an exceptional instructor and teacher! He really makes you feel at home and treats you with respect and patience. He gives his insight through his experience and offers his opinions on situations. I highly recommend him if you are thinking about getting your permit. Look forward to learning more from jerry if has any other classes to teach. I consider him a friend and colleague after my experience. Thank you Jerry!"

Melvin W.

Mar 5, 2021

"As this was the abbreviated version of a full day (8 hour) class, every moment was filled with learning and an opportunity for real‑time questions. I thoroughly enjoyed this experience and I want to extend my thanks to Jerry for conducting class in a way that was relatable for each of the attendees. In fact, based on the tips from Jerry, I was able to make some major corrections to my shooting alignment that I had been working to correct at the range with little success."

Michael W.

Feb 28, 2021

"Had a blast and learned to be a better shooter. That's saying alot because we were in the cold, and rain. Plus had to drive over 3 hours to get there. Not the ideal conditions for learning but I would do it again. That should tell you the quality of the class and instructor. "

Anne M.

Feb 21, 2021

"Very knowledgeable, patient, thorough, interesting, good anecdotes from his own life that enriches understanding. Wonderful range instruction, with patience, support, but also very clear about safety is paramount."

cynthia k.

Feb 20, 2021

"My instructor Jerry Ransom did a very good job teaching the material and with the shooting part of the class. He was very patient and answered all of our questions!"

Feb 20, 2021

"This was a well planned and well executed course. I was impressed by the strong teaching and the emphasis on safety and training that the instructor focused on. Highly recommend."

Chris E.

Feb 20, 2021

"Terrific, personalized instruction. We have worked with Jerry numerous times and plan to keep doing so."

Jennifer V.

Feb 16, 2021

"Excellent instructor. He taught me so much about gun safety, self defense, home defense, and better ways to handle tough situations without the use of a firearm. I am extremely thankful for his time and expertise."

Class taken on Mar 4, 2023

"Jerry Ranson was very informative and prepared. I learned a lot!"

Class taken on Feb 27, 2023

"Jerry did a great job. I've been to 4 other pistol courses over the years and this was by far the most comprehensive "

Class taken on Jan 14, 2023

"Jerry Ranson is an excellent instructor. His background in marketing was an asset as he was providing useful ideas for business development throughout the class that was far above and beyond the generic "start a social media following." He was patient, provided spot on feedback and actionable suggestions moving forward. His experience and expertise were tremendously helpful especially from a teaching perspective. If you can take a class from Jerry, I highly recommend doing so! The course was phenomenal. But the delivery and his ability to repeatedly circle back to the main focus shows his natural God given talent to teach. "

Class taken on Nov 30, 2022

"I really enjoyed the class, had the best instructor ever. Jerry was very informative and very helpful. He made me feel very comfortable and at ease. I would highly recommend Jerry to my family and friends for this training course."

Class taken on Jul 23, 2022

"Jerry was excellent! He took a lot of time to answer good thoughtful questions. I would recommend this class."

Feb 17, 2021

"Thanks Jennifer. Looking forward to Saturday."

Paul O

Dec 30, 2023

"Jerry Ranson was a phenomenal and excellent instructor! Entire experience for me was like a private class. I learned more than I expected and improved my skills to a higher level. I am advising other family members that want to take the class to only take it with Jerry as the instructor. I will recommend Jerry to anyone in need of training."

Austin J.

Nov 18, 2023

"Jerry, Thank you for teaching our NC CHP class today! It was an absolute pleasure, you were wonderful, very knowledgeable, engaged, and the class was fun! Marcie gets intimidated sometimes when it comes to firearms, but you made it so pleasant for her. Thank you again!"

Gabe V.

Oct 15, 2023

"Jerry is a wonderful instructor. Highly recommended to anyone at any skill level. He will make you a safer and more skilled shooter."

William Brian M.

Sep 29, 2023

"Jerry is a great instructor. He picked up on subtle nuances on my grip, trigger finger and stance that will facilitate improvement. He accommodated me with a class on a different date due to medical reasons which was greatly appreciated."

Valerie B.

Aug 27, 2023

"Jerry is a great instructor. Loads of information were given, but in a manner that helped me understand my responsibilities as a gun owner. I would recommend him to everyone. Loved the range experience-clear instructions given made me comfortable."

Alywin S.

May 22, 2024

"Dawn and Jerry did an excellent job going in depth on the topics of what to expect being a USCCA certified instructor as well as touching on the nuances that come along with the network of instructors as well as additional trainings. Excellent teaching styles. I wish there were more stars cause this class is definitely a 10/10. Thank you Dawn and Jerry!"

David S.

Apr 3, 2024

"This was the second class I have taken with Jerry. He is very knowledgeable and very relatable. I will gladly take more classes with Jerry as the instructor."

Christopher G.

Mar 9, 2024

"I'd recommend Mr. Ranson to any shooter looking for a safe, informative, and professional class. I look forward to attending more traing with him in the near future."

James B.

Mar 4, 2024

"Jerry is an excellent trainer. I will take more classes down the road with him he has a great way of training & helps build your confidence level."

Contact Me for More Information

Get in touch with me today for additional details about my courses and credentials. I would be more than happy to respond to your questions about Palmetto Patriot Firearms Training.

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Palmetto Patriot Firearms Training
Palmetto Patriot Firearms Training