TRAIN CARRY PROTECTGet certified with a Maryland Certified Firearms Instructor
New Class Available
Security Officer Training in Westminster, MD
Become a certified security officer with training from a state certified firearms instructor right here in Westminster, Maryland. Our course covers everything you need to earn your security officer license, from firearms proficiency to the laws and responsibilities of the job.
Classes now starting in Carroll County. Reach out now and be the first to know when enrollment opens.
Classes for Any Skill Level
Maryland HQL
This course is a complete guide to understanding the basics of firearms ownership, safety, and nomenclature. We also show how it applies to home-defense and self-defense. We will provide you with eye protection and ear plugs.
Maryland CCW
This course is a complete guide to understanding the basics of firearms ownership, safety, and nomenclature. We also show how it applies to home-defense and self-defense. Covers Maryland, Florida, Minnesota, Arizona, and Illinois CCW. We will provide you with eye protection and ear plugs.
Maryland CCW Renewal
Get your CCW renewed with this class. Meet state requirements for renewals eight hour class. Also including Multi State renewals. We will provide you with eye protection and ear plugs.
You've Got a License,Now What?
So you've earned your carry permit. Now what? This class picks up where your license leaves off, covering everyday carry decisions, holster selection, safe drawing and reholstering, and the mindset and legal responsibilities that come with carrying every day. We will provide you with eye protection and ear plugs.
Countering a Mass/Active Shooter Threat
Know the signs of a potential threat and get started making a plan to protect your community and churches with a Maryland State Certified Firearms Instructor. We will provide you with eye protection and ear plugs.
American Heart Association / CPR
Your instructor will work you through a dozen real-world scenarios using simulated patients and the actual products (or field expedients) that you’ll need to understand if you hope to treat the gunshot wounds and save a life.
Byrna Class
Learn to safely and legally carry, load, and deploy a Byrna launcher for self defense. We cover accuracy, maintenance, and the situations where a Byrna is the right tool.
Saber Class
Train directly with OC pepper spray, covering proper carry, effective range, and how to deploy it under stress without hesitating.
Taser Class
Learn to properly use a taser in a safe and effective manner, from probe placement to aftercare. This class ensures maximum personal protection without using lethal self defense tools.
Advanced Shooting
Professional instruction in a safe and controlled environment to take your shooting skills to the next level.
Build the practical pistol skills needed for real-world self-defense situations. This course covers drawing from a holster, accurate target acquisition, reloading under pressure, and malfunction clearing.
Security Officer Training
Get professional security officer training from a certified instructor with years of experience. This course covers everything needed to get your security officer license. We will provide you with eye protection and ear plugs.
Additional Classes
Women's Wear and Carry
Learn tips and techniques from experienced women in the world of firearms to be prepared to carry confidently every day. Learn about the skills, tools, and mindset needed to use firearms for self-defense. We will provide you with eye protection and ear plugs.
Use of Force
Use of Force Training will show you how to handle Situation Awareness properly. Simulate real-life scenarios to learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones. We will provide you with eye protection and ear plugs.
Children's Safety & Fundamentals
This safety seminar is designed to help adults know more about the why, when and how to address the topics of firearms and safety with kids of all ages. We will provide you with eye protection and ear plugs.
Real Estate Safety & Defense
This course is a complete guide to understanding the basics of firearms ownership, safety, and nomenclature, and how it applies to home-defense or self-defense. After this class, students will feel confident to act as their family’s first line of defense in the event of a home invasion or other critical incident. We will provide you with eye protection and ear plugs.
Church Safety & Defense
Protect your congregation and community with a Maryland State Certified Firearms Instructor. Learn how to identify potential threats and make a plan to protect your church. We will provide you with eye protection and ear plugs.
Special Police Officer (SPO) Training
Special Police Officers hold a commission from the Governor and can use police powers on the property they protect. Step up from security work into that role with training from Maryland State Certified Firearms Instructors. We will provide you with eye protection and ear plugs.
Meet Our Instructors
Carl Brunner (Owner)
Carl is the owner of Paradigm Firearms Training LLC, and he is a USCCA certified firearms instructor. He has over 50 five star reviews as a firearms instructor with USCCA.
Ryan Roberts (Partner)
Ryan is a partner of Paradigm Firearms Training LLC. He is a USCCA certified instructor and a United States Army Veteran. Ryan is certified to teach our handgun, shotgun, rifle, and less lethal classes.
Marie Zepp-Brunner (Partner)
Marie is a partner of Paradigm Firearms Training LLC. She is certified by the American Heart Association to teach our CPR class.
Bradley Leete (Instructor)
Brad is a lifelong shooting enthusiast and competitive pistol shooter in the Carry Optics class. He is active in local and regional shooting competitions.
Letisha Stillings (Instructor)
Letisha is an NRA certified firearms instructor with years of law enforcement experience. She is certified in Pistol, CCW, Basic Pistol Shooting, and Basic CCW. A member of both the USCCA and the NRA, she teaches students to handle a firearm safely and to know the law.
Craig Lee (Instructor)
Craig was born and raised in Baltimore City and has served 24 years in law enforcement with the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. He is assigned to the Central Transportation Unit and works alongside the U.S. Marshals Service Northeast Region. Craig became a Maryland State Certified Firearms Instructor in 2026. His Maryland Police and Correctional Training certifications cover OC spray, Tasers, handguns, shotguns, rifles, first aid, and CPR.
Testimonials
"Carl is amazing! I was so nervous at the gun range, and he helped me feel at ease and made it a pleasant experience. His knowledge, confidence and ability rub off on you and gives you what you need to complete the task. I highly recommend him and his classes. He’s a great instructor."
"Carl Brunner is an excellent firearm training/instructor, Carl is very knowledgeable when it comes to handgun laws and with different handguns, I also like the way he gets the students in the class room involve. In the class work. Anyone can really learn a lot from Carl when comes to handguns."
"Carl made the training easy to afford, schedule, and answered all the questions I had throughout the course. Paradigm should be your go to place for all your firearms training."
Take a look at Paradigm Firearms Training classroom, shooting range, and NEW merchandise! Visit our classroom at 525 Old Westminster Pike, Westminster, MD 21157. If you are interested in purchasing Paradigm Firearms Training merchandise, then please call or talk to your instructor on the day of your class.Please note our classroom is not wheelchair accessible.
Mantis Training Now Available!
Stop Intruders with Security Film
Benefits of Security film
Burglary Barrier: Deterring intruders by the difficulty and noise of attempting to break a window with security film.
Weather Protection: Preventing windows from shattering into dangerous shards during severe weather storms.
Energy Efficiency: Security film help regulate indoor temperatures, reducing energy costs.
