Thanks for your interest in the Ohio Citizens Firearms Training (OCFT) Academy, owned and privately operated by a retired Cleveland Police Officer and US Army veteran.
This highly experienced firearms instructor, certified through the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission and the National Rifle Association, has trained and re-certified thousands of police officers and private security officers and certified numerous citizens for concealed handgun carry.
He and his staff are committed to training you to become a confident, law abiding individual who can make proper and lawful decisions and take legal action in a deadly force encounter.
This Home Page contains a brief summary of each class offered. For complete information and registration on a particular class, please click or tap on the link for that class to take you to that page.
Choose Your Training Wisely, It May Save Your Life!
For your ease and convenience, you can find and choose classes by either:
Tapping or clicking on a class and date shown in the calendar below will open a window with complete information on that class.
It will also provide a link titled “REGISTRATION AND DEPOSIT PAYMENT” to register and pay your deposit to secure a seat in the class.
EVEN THOUGH THE CALENDAR ONLY SHOWS THREE (3) HOURS FOR FRIDAY EVENINGS, THE CLASS IS ACTUALLY HELD FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY FOR A TOTAL OF 20 HOURS. ALL THREE DAYS MUST BE ATTENDED
You can also choose a class by clicking or tapping on the quick links below in blue font. Each class section is grouped together
Both methods will take you to the same registration page which will allow you register and pay for the class to secure a seat.
20 Hour OPOTA Private Security Firearms Training Class
The State of Ohio requires twenty hours (20) of firearms training through the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy (O.P.O.T.A.) for any individual who wants to be armed while working as a Private Security Officer.
OCFT Academy is a State of Ohio and O.P.O.T.A. certified school well established and highly regarded in the state with excellent instructors and an extremely high success rate with its students.
COST: $235.00
LOCATION: Parma Armory Shooting Center, 5301 Hauserman Road, Parma, Ohio 44130.
Click or tap on the Ohio Citizens Firearms Training logo below for complete and specific information, available dates, location with a map, registration, payment and everything that pertains to this class.
To use a quick link for registration and deposit payment ONLY, please click or tap on one of the links below.
2022
December 9, 10 and 11, 2022 (AVAILABLE)
2023
January 6, 7 and 8, 2023 (AVAILABLE)
January 20, 21 and 22, 2023 (AVAILABLE)
February 3, 4 and 5, 2023 (AVAILABLE)
It is very important to visit the 20 Hour OPOTA Private Security Firearms Class page for all of the information you need by clicking or tapping on CLASSES in the menu.
Private Security Firearms Re-qualification (OPOTA)
The State of Ohio requires that each armed security officer complete a four (4) hour annual re-qualification to demonstrate their proficiency with a firearms. This must be completed by the expiration date shown on the certificate. If the certificate expires, the complete 20 hour class must be taken again before the officer can carry a firearm while working.
COST: $95.00
LOCATION: Parma Armory Shooting Center, 5301 Hauserman Road, Parma, Ohio 44130.
Click or tap on the Ohio Citizens Firearms Training logo below for complete and specific information, available dates, location with a map, registration, payment and everything that pertains to this class.
To use a quick link for registration and deposit payment ONLY, please click or tap on one of the links below.
New classes for 2023 will be posted by Friday, November 25, 2022. Please check back then for those dates and registration.
It is very important to visit the Private Security Firearms Requalification (OPOTA) Class page for all of the information you need by clicking or tapping on CLASSES in the menu.
Concealed Handgun License Certification Class
The State of Ohio requires that each citizen who wants to carry a firearm concealed must successfully complete an eight (8) hour class provided by a state certified or NRA certified firearms instructor.
COST: $100.00 (individual) $90.00 (each for two or more family members attending or three or more people in one group attending)
LOCATION: Parma Armory Shooting Center, 5301 Hauserman Road, Parma, Ohio 44130.
Click or tap on the Ohio Citizens Firearms Training logo below for complete and specific information, available dates, location with a map, registration, payment and everything that pertains to this class.
To use a quick link for registration and deposit payment ONLY, please click or tap on one of the links below.
There are no additional classes available for the remainder of 2021
It is very important to visit the Concealed Handgun License Certification Class page for all of the information you need by clicking or tapping on CLASSES in the menu.
POSTED JUNE 7, 2022
Since Constitutional Carry has been signed by Governor DeWine, OCFT Academy will resume Concealed Handgun License classes in July, 2022 after the Independence Day holiday. Please check back for dates and registration.
KEEP IN MIND THAT A LICENSE IS NO LONGER REQUIRED IN OHIO, BUT IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A LICENSE, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CARRY CONCEALED IN ANY OTHER STATE.
ADVANCE PISTOL TRAINING COURSE
THIS PAGE IS BEING UPDATED WITH FUTURE DATES STARTING IN MAY, 2022. PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR INFORMATION ON THIS CLASS – THANK YOU!
The ADVANCED PISTOL TRAINING COURSE is an important and necessary part of your pistol training.
Normal public ranges, with stationary targets, stationary shooters and range operation restrictions do not allow the public to practice realistic deadly force defensive encounters and advanced tactical shooting techniques. This training will allow students to work closely and unencumbered with tactical instructors in developing their skills in advanced shooting tactics.
THIS CLASS IS RESTRICTED TO
- Those who possess a Concealed Handgun License or have a valid Certificate of Completion from any school waiting for their license
- Any person who is associated with a law enforcement agency
- Any person who has received their 20 Hour OPOTA Private Security Firearms certificate
- Individuals who have had other firearms training and are proficient in pistol craft – THIS IS NOT A BEGINNERS CLASS!
Click or tap on the Ohio Citizens Firearms Training logo below for complete and specific information, available dates, location with a map, registration, payment and everything that pertains to this class.
Private Security Shotgun (OPOTA)
PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR FUTURE DATES
OFFERING PROFESSIONAL HIGH QUALITY TRAINING IN THE FOLLOWING CLASSES:
CONCEALED HANDGUN LICENSE CERTIFICATION CLASS
20 HOUR PRIVATE SECURITY FIREARMS CERTIFICATION (O.P.O.T.A.)
PRIVATE SECURITY FIREARMS RE-QUALIFICATION (O.P.O.T.A.)
ADVANCED PISTOL TRAINING COURSE
PRIVATE SECURITY SHOTGUN CERTIFICATION (O.P.O.T.A.)
Due to the importance of the subject matter, each class size is kept to a minimum to maintain a positive instructor-to-student ratio. Unlike other assembly line types of firearm training schools, training is conducted with quality in mind and not quantity!
What separates OCFT Academy from other firearm training instructors is the owner/lead instructor of the this school has been involved in deadly force encounters and teaches from actual life experiences as a result of his profession. He has literally trained thousands of people from all walks of life, which include police and private security recruits, police officers, private security officers, and citizens with various backgrounds.
All of the highly competent instructors were hand-picked by the owner to maintain the professionalism and excellence OCFT Academy strives for. All state certified instructors are either current or former police officers and have established themselves as highly skilled trainers. No one can match the qualifications and experience that will reflect in the quality of the training you will receive.
Once you successfully complete your individual course, you will not only leave with your certificate, you will also leave with the confidence to properly use your handgun both tactically and legally.
Send an eCard as a present for training that may save their life, or yours!
The eCard can be used for the following classes:
– Concealed Handgun License Class –
– 20 Hour OPOTA Firearms Training Class –
– OPOTA Firearms Re-qualification –
– Advanced Pistol Training Course –
(Click on picture to get started)
(Gift Card Valid One Year from Purchase Date)