How to Become a Gun Smith
If you enjoy working with or using firearms, then you may want to consider a career as a gunsmith. According to the National Criminal Justice Reference System, there are nearly 200 million privately owned guns in the United States, which provides ample opportunity for gunsmiths to ply their trade. Since gunsmithing requires special skills, formal education or an apprenticeship are necessary to find employment.
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Things You'll Need
- Apprenticeship or associate's degree in gusmithing Meeting the licensing requirements of your state List of potential employers and job openings
Instructions
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Determine whether you wish to be a general gunsmith or if you want to specialize in an area such as assembly, troubleshooting, engraving, or repair. To help with your decision, gain practical knowledge of the job by shadowing a gunsmith during typical daily activities.
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Begin to develop the necessary skills needed to become a gunsmith. If possible, secure a part-time job working for a gunsmith, or complete courses in areas such as metallurgy, woodworking, ballistics and drafting.
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Complete a formal training program. One way is to complete a gunsmithing apprenticeship, which involves 8,000 hours of classroom and hands-on training. More information can be obtained by visiting http://www.thegunsmiths.com/apprenticeshipprograms.html. Another option is to obtain an associate's degree in gunsmithing from a community college.
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Complete any necessary licensing requirements. These can vary depending upon the the type of gunsmith you wish to become, and the laws of your particular state. For more information, visit http://www.nra-ila.org/.
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Begin the job application process. The best way to start is to seek employment with an established gunsmith that works in the area of the trade in which you wish to make a career. To locate gunsmiths throughout the United States and to find job openings, visit http://www.gunsmiths.com. Another option is to become a self-employed gunsmith.
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