We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Andrew Thomas a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Andrew thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

My story into Liberty Arms training just evolved overtime. I didn’t start really learning about firearms or protection until I joined the Marine Corps. While I was on deployment over 7,500 miles away and my wife was stateside alone giving birth to our first child, it dawned on me, who is protecting my family while I am gone? When I returned back to the US I started realizing there was something missing from people’s lives. It was the confidence to protect themselves. So I started asking questions and observing people’s behavior and noticed there is a big gap between what people know or think is happening around them and how to protect themselves and what is actually happening around them and how they should protect themselves.

For years I did not do anything with these observations and ideas I had. Then at the end of 2020 many issues were brought into people’s daily lives including fear, crime and misinformation on gun laws. I saw my opportunity to do something to help people that, maybe misinformed, do not know what to do with a firearm or are not able to defend themselves.

Throughout my training and experience I realized quickly people rely too much on others for protection and they move through the world unaware and unprotected. I compiled all the training I received in the Marine Corps, with my current training in law enforcement and topped it with real world experience and created Liberty Arms Training.

Liberty Arms Training’s mission is to build up an individual’s confidence in the ability to protect themselves. To do this, I provide people with personalized training to fit their learning style. It is their responsibility to learn the laws, and how to protect themselves and Liberty Arms Training would like to be there through their journey. I believe if you are legally able to own a firearm; you should exercise your 2nd Amendment and possess one.

Andrew, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am someone who is constantly learning new things and am always searching on how to make things more efficient. My journey into firearms and protection started when I joined the Marine Corps. Prior to that I had zero knowledge of firearms, let’s just say I learned A LOT in a short period of time. When my time in the Marine Corps was over we transitioned back to civilian life. I began working as a Deputy and focused on helping my wife start up her business.

I spent the majority of my free time trying to get her photography business to a point where she could operate day to day and I would manage from behind the scenes. As time went on, I realized I wanted to have my own business as well. I thought about my skills and what I can offer people and realized it was protection and education.

For the people who know me, they will tell you I like to talk. So I took one of my strengths of talking paired with my laid back professionalism and decided to educate people about firearm laws, tactics, fundamentals, and more.

Liberty Arms Training currently has multiple services and product options for customers. Services include beginner handgun training, MN permit classes (also known as concealed carry), retired law enforcement (HR 218) qualifications, and private one on one lessons. I also retain a federal firearms license to offer my clients expanded services including firearms transfers, firearm and accessory sales.

Over the years I have spoken with a lot of people who are unsure where to start on their journey into firearms and protection. The most common thing I hear that prevents people from seeking training is they get overwhelmed. I take a person to person approach when helping people. It is human nature to shut down when feeling overwhelmed. So taking this personal approach eases the tension and opens a dialogue. For those who are new to firearms, I try to make it as comfortable as I can for them to retain what they need to know and most importantly what they want to know.

The biggest thing that sets me apart from others in the industry is, my decade of law enforcement and military experience. I teach a common sense approach and bring real world experience to every interaction with my clients.

I am a one man show so I am able to adapt and change how I am delivering my services to fit the clients schedule or needs. If there is time on my schedule and my client needs something I try to make it happen for them. If I can not, I want to make sure they are taken care of and have no problem referring to others. When someone reaches out with a question or request I can get them taken care of, regardless if it is me or another qualified instructor who delivers them quality service. During this journey there have been many proud moments, but I would like people to know I am proud of my wife for dealing with me for as long as she has, I have always had crazy ideas and for the most part she has been there every step of the way for everyone. It has been a long road to get to where I am today. Deployments, odd hours at a fulltime career, helping my wife operate her business, going back for my graduate degree, having two kids in the house, kids sports, and financing Liberty Arms Training with my personal finances just to name a few things.

What I am extremely proud of is watching my kids see what is going on and they are asking how they can get involved or start their own thing. They are always coming up with ideas on how to start their own business whether it be a lemonade stand, selling rocks, card collection, melty beads, or a youtube channel (not a fan). Watching them take an interest in entrepreneurship really makes me happy to see where they could potentially end up with so many years and ideas ahead of them. One of them has recently asked how she can help with Liberty Arms Training so it has been fun and challenging to see how I can incorporate her into the business. I am proud I have taken an idea that I kicked around for years and turned it into a business that helps people learn skills to protect themselves and their family. I have already had more than 300 clients in just over 2 years. I have had repeat clients, clients with a wide variety of experience and backgrounds asking questions and seeking the information. It is really a humbling moment when you are thanked and appreciated for changing how people view their life and they tell you how they change how they move through life.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I would like to believe what has helped me is my professionalism and my ability to admit when I do not know the answer. One thing I noticed that differentiates me from other instructors/businesses is I do not fabricate information. What I mean by that is, if I am asked a question during my classes or instruction, I will let my students know I may not know the answer but I will find them the answer. This is how I stop the wrong information from spreading. I will then follow up with the student with the correct answer or the resources to find the correct answer. Misinformation is a problem that is rampant around multiple topics around the world, not just firearm laws.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

Since I have a full time job and other things going on, I started Liberty Arms Training out as a “side gig”. For the first couple months I tried pumping out as much work as I could. I quickly realized that was not sustainable. I changed and pivoted on what I am focusing on. I decided to provide small groups classes and built a personal relationship with a lot of clients. I help them out outside of firearms training. I will network the business owners with other people to expand their network and they have done the same for me. I think when it comes to local services, providing people with personalized service and direct communication will build a strong bond between the company and client. I think this has been attributed to a lot of word of mouth and friends of friends getting in contact with me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.libertyarmstraining.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Libertyarmstraining
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-thomas-2619b71b7/

Image Credits
Feature Photo: Heather Ann Photography Others Photos: Unknown