Meet the Owner
My name is Ricardo “Rico” de la Llama. I was born in Cuba. My family was forced to leave when Castro seized our property, personal belongings, and money. 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 when I was eight 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 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 an NRA member because it was required to obtain a license 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, the 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 hit the bullseye for the 1st time.
Over the years, I have work for others and run 2 of my own companies. I have gained many skills from incredible mentors and teachers. Learning is a lifelong adventure. I am a Certified Gunsmith, Glock, and Sig Sauer Armorer, Chief Range Safety Officer, NRA Certified Basic Handgun, Rifle and Shotgun, USCCA Certified Concealed Carry, and Home Defense Instructor.
We are pleased and thankful that you are willing to join us in this new adventure.
My name is Ricardo “Rico” de la Llama. I was born in Cuba. My family was forced to leave when Castro seized our property, personal belongings, and money. 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 when I was eight 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 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 an NRA member because it was required to obtain a license 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, the 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 hit the bullseye for the 1st time.
Over the years, I have work for others and run 2 of my own companies. I have gained many skills from incredible mentors and teachers. Learning is a lifelong adventure. I am a Certified Gunsmith, Glock, and Sig Sauer Armorer, Chief Range Safety Officer, NRA Certified Basic Handgun, Rifle and Shotgun, USCCA Certified Concealed Carry, and Home Defense Instructor.
We are pleased and thankful that you are willing to join us in this new adventure.
Safety
There are too many shootings that can be avoided by learning and practicing the 4 Cardinal Rules of Firearm Safety. Once you have mastered them, you will realize that all firearm accidents can be avoided.
Training
Safe practice and repetition is the only way to ingrain safety and precision shooting (hitting what you mean to hit). It’s in our name and it’s at the core of our teaching.
Confidence
Owning a vehicle does not make one a driver, let alone a good driver, any more than owning a handgun makes one a good shooter. Only through the initial training and continued practice of Firearms Safety can one reasonably expect to effectively defend oneself and one’s loved ones. Firearms Safety is the use of firearms with any additional training of safe handling and repetition of what you have learned and the continued use and practice of firearms. So that in a moment of danger YOU can if necessary, act to protect yourself and your loved ones with self-defense firearms training skills.