As a United States Air Force veteran, John Galletta began instructing firearms in the early 1980s, training fellow service members, friends, and family with a focus on safety, discipline, and responsibility. Following his honorable discharge in 1988, he became an NRA Certified Firearms Instructor, expanding his reach to individuals, businesses, and organizations throughout Riverside County and the Inland Empire. Over the decades, John has trained thousands of men, women, and youth, instilling not only the fundamentals of safe firearms handling, but the mindset and accountability that define responsible gun ownership.

In 2008, John graduated from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Academy as the highest-scoring marksman in the history of the Palm Desert Campus—an achievement that underscores his precision, dedication, and mastery of his craft. He went on to serve in critical national security roles, including as a Preventive Radiological/Nuclear Detection (PRND) Instructor and member of the VIPR Team with the Federal Air Marshal Service in Los Angeles, and later as a DHS Certified Instructor for the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Counter Terrorism Operations Support (CTOS) Program.

Building on this extensive operational and instructional experience, John became an approved CCW Instructor for the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 2017 and founded Riverside CCW Training. Today, as a POST Firearms Instructor and DOJ Certified CCW Instructor, he leads a highly respected training program recognized by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, the Arizona and Utah Departments of Public Safety, and multiple agencies across the Inland Empire and Los Angeles County. 

John stands alone as the only CCW instructor in the nation who has experienced a real-world, self-defense shooting as a civilian instructor—outside of his military and law enforcement service. This rare and hard-earned perspective gives him the credibility to speak with absolute clarity and honesty about what truly happens before, during, and long after a defensive use of force.

He doesn’t teach theory—he teaches reality. From the immediate chaos of the encounter to the emotional, psychological, and legal aftermath, John provides firsthand insight into the challenges most people never consider until it’s too late. His experience brings to light the critical truths of a civilian-involved shooting, preparing students for the weight of decisions that must be made in seconds but can impact a lifetime.

Unlike others in the field, John bridges the gap between training and reality. Law enforcement encounters operate under entirely different policies, protections, and expectations. Civilian defenders stand alone—and John is uniquely qualified to prepare them for that responsibility with unmatched authenticity and real-world truth.

Beyond instruction, John is a dedicated advocate for the Second Amendment, actively supporting organizations such as the California Rifle and Pistol Association (CRPA) and CCW Safe. Through his work, he continues to empower responsible citizens—especially women and first-time shooters—with the knowledge, confidence, and skills to protect themselves and others.

We understand you have many choices when it comes to firearms training—but few offer the depth, realism, and proven effectiveness of our approach. Our instruction is not built on trends, opinions, or recycled doctrine. It is grounded in validated principles of human physiology, performance under stress, and real-world application—refined through years of experience and results in the field.

Our methods are deliberate, tested, and purpose-driven. We don’t just teach what to do—we explain why it works, giving you a clear understanding of how your body and mind respond under pressure. This approach allows you to build skills that are not only effective on the range, but reliable when it matters most.

We also recognize that new shooters often come with uncertainty or hesitation. Our training environment is designed to eliminate those barriers through a safe, structured, and common-sense progression that builds confidence without unnecessary stress. Every student receives hands-on, practical instruction that reinforces learning in real time.

While others may rely on commands and repetition, we focus on comprehension and performance. You won’t just go through the motions—you’ll understand the process, apply it immediately, and see measurable improvement throughout the course.

The result is simple: greater confidence, stronger capability, and skills you can trust when it counts.

Our NRA, POST, and DOJ Certified CCW Firearms Instructors bring extensive experience training a wide spectrum of students—from first-time shooters and recreational enthusiasts to seasoned law enforcement professionals and competitive marksmen. This depth of expertise allows us to deliver instruction that is both adaptable and highly effective, regardless of skill level.

Our training methodology is built on proven principles that emphasize precision, control, and accountability. We don’t just teach you to hit the target—we train you to place your shots exactly where intended. Because while speed has its place, accuracy is what ultimately matters.

Through structured, hands-on instruction, many of our students—including those with no prior firearms experience—quickly achieve remarkable results. It is not uncommon for first-time shooters to consistently strike the bullseye, and even place follow-up shots through the same point of impact.

We invite you to experience the difference for yourself and discover what disciplined, professional instruction can truly achieve.

Our NRA, POST, & DOJ Certified Firearms Instructors have a long history of teaching firearms classes to first-time shooters, novices, hobbyists, advanced law enforcement, and competition shooters.

The proven methods we employ in our firearms instruction will ensure you hit not only the target you're shooting at, but precisely where on that target you choose to place the shot. Shot placement and accuracy is key. Fast is good but accuracy is better.