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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Former police chief launches firearms training company

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Former Wrightsville Beach Police Chief John Carey hasn’t let retirement slow him down and has recently launched his own firearms training company.

Through his company, Eastern Firearms Training, launched nine months ago, Carey said he is teaching a range of courses for shooters of all levels, as well as a self-defense style course that teaches people how to avoid being a victim.

Carey, who retired in 2011 after 30 years at the Wrightsville Beach Police Department, said the work presents him with an opportunity to do what he most enjoyed in his law enforcement career: teaching others.

“I’ve always enjoyed teaching,” said Carey, who has conducted firearm training classes since the 1980s. “It’s an opportunity to continue what I’ve enjoyed most in my career. Over the course of the year, I’ll provide teaching to 600 to 700 people.”

In addition to offering basic National Rifle Association courses, he is also teaching concealed carry handgun courses, which are required by North Carolina law before individuals 21 or older can receive a concealed carry permit. Carey also offers training to law enforcement personnel, including the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office.

He said the concealed carry course is the most popular, with classes filling fast. The class is demanding, Carey said, with a minimum of eight hours in the classroom, as well as time on the range.

“People need to be taught safety and the laws governing deadly force before carrying a handgun,” Carey said.

Carey’s Eastern Firearms Training offers another popular option with a class called Refuse to be a Victim.

“It’s not a firearm instruction class, it’s not a physical self defense class, it’s more about teaching strategies and exploring criminal psychology,” Carey said. “The class teaches people what to look for around their home, around their vehicle and out in public to avoid being a victim of a crime. It’s an excellent class.”

Carey will be teaching the Refuse to be a Victim class on Sept. 24 in Wrightsville Beach, which will be offered in conjunction with the town’s police and parks and recreation department.

Carey also teaches basic law enforcement classes at Cape Fear Community College. He offers concealed carry classes at Neuse Sports in Kinston.

While Carey also offers advanced courses, he only offers them to people who have received concealed carry permits or were issued pistol purchase permits. The reason: they’ve already undergone a background check.

“That way, I’m not teaching bad guys anything advanced,” Carey said.

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