About Owner
My name is Ricardo “Rico” de la Llama, I was born in Cuba and my family was force to leave when our property, personal belongings and money were seized by Castro, when my father, a United States Navy Academy graduate and grandparents refused to join the communist party. We came to the USA searching for freedom and a new start. I received my first BB gun as a when I was 8 years old, living in Chicago of all places. My older brother, who was 15 years old, taught me how to use it. When I was 11 years old, my father handed me a replica 1911 Colt. He told me not to come back until I could to take it apart and put it back together. Even though it wasn’t a working model, I was hooked! I was sent to Admiral Farragut Academy a military boarding high school. I took the 1911 Colt replica with me. I was told, I couldn’t keep it. So, I traded it to another classmate for Ruger Single 6 (yes it did work), I gave it to my brother to hold until I graduated. I served in the U.S. Army Airborne Infantry. They were kind enough to loan me a rifle, grenade launcher, bazooka and 1911 Colt 45, which expanded my passion for firearms.
Originally, I became NRA member, because it was required to obtain a license, to allow me to hunt in an area, near the base. I obtained my NRA Instructor Certification to allow me to teach others. My love of sharing my passion with others, thrill of seeing that 1st spark of enthusiasm, helping to improve someone’s knowledge of firearms and gun safety is why I continued to teach others. There is nothing like the shared feeling of excitement when you see someone of hit the bullseye, for the 1st time.
We are pleased and thankful that you are willing to join us in this new adventure.