For more than 35 years, Curtis R. Harwell has dedicated his life to helping responsible citizens develop the knowledge, judgment, and confidence to protect themselves and the people they love.

As the Founder and Lead Instructor of The Carry Guy Firearms Shooting Academy, Curtis believes firearms training is about far more than learning how to shoot. It is about developing the mindset, discipline, and character required to make responsible decisions when they matter most.

Every student who trains with Curtis receives more than instruction.

They receive a philosophy built on preparation, accountability, and respect for innocent life.

My journey into firearms instruction began with a simple belief:

Preparation changes outcomes.

Over the years, I have trained thousands of students from every background imaginable—first-time firearm owners, experienced shooters, families, business owners, law enforcement professionals, veterans, and responsible citizens who simply wanted to become better prepared.

While every student arrives with different goals, they all leave with the same foundation:

Safety.

Knowledge.

Skill.

Attitude.

Those four principles have guided my instruction for more than three decades and continue to shape every class taught at The Carry Guy Firearms Shooting Academy.

I created The Carry Guy because I wanted to build more than another firearms school. I wanted to build a place where people could gain confidence through education, develop practical skills through disciplined training, and leave better prepared to protect themselves and those who depend on them. That mission continues every day.

Helping people discover that confidence is earned through preparation—not luck.

Providing professional, structured, and safety-focused firearms training in an environment where every student can succeed.

Every student represents a family, a future, and a responsibility that deserves my very best.

Do what is right, especially when no one is watching.

Accept responsibility for your decisions before life forces you to.

Prepare today for the challenges you hope never come.

Consistent training creates confident decision-makers.

Respect every person, every firearm, every law, and every life.

When you train with me, my goal is not simply to help you become a better shooter.

My goal is to help you become a more prepared citizen.

A more disciplined thinker.

A more confident decision-maker.

A more responsible protector.

If you leave my academy with greater confidence, stronger judgment, and a deeper commitment to protecting innocent life, then I have fulfilled my purpose as an instructor.

Founder & Lead Instructor
The Carry Guy Firearms Shooting Academy

"Preparation is a decision you make long before the day you need it."

SEE • DECIDE • SURVIVE