Well, the military is one way to get paid to shoot. Lol.
Echoing what another poster said (post #13). Join the Military. You can specialize in (??), and, get a degree, all while NOT worrying about food etc.
Mil=weapons development=shooting. When you do get out, adds credentials to your resume. And a lifetime of benefits.
Future (firearms related) employer:What did you study in the Army?
Applicant: I studied applied ballistics. Weapons development. Gunsmithing/ armorer. I earned a BA degree in (Xfirearms fieldX). And was on the marksmanship unit. Other etc.
Duh...Not sure why I didn’t recommend this. I was a Gunner’s Mate Missile (GMM) in the Navy I worked on missile launching systems but I also helped in the Ship’s Armory. Normally that task fell to the GMG’s ( Gunner’s Mate Guns) but I was eager to help and the Gunnery Chief let me help out.
Anyway, there are Armorer positions in all branches of the military but the key to getting those jobs is passing what used to be called the ASVAB test at the AFEES Station. The ASVAB is an assessment test to show areas where you have good aptitude so the military knows where you might be a good fit (what job they think you might do well). AFEES was the enlistment testing and processing center.
Now, if you wish to have a career as an “Armorer“ or Gunsmith you have to know that these aren’t the jobs that will earn you 6 figure incomes. An Armorer is a very important job but not important enough to rain gold and jewels upon the caretaker of the king’s armory.
Here is an example of what I mean:
https://www.simplyhired.com/search?q=weapons+armorer
If you would go the military route it would be good to study up on Gunsmithing so that you can do well on the military assessment test. If you look up “ASVAB Test” you will find info on the tests and practice test sites, like this one:
https://www.asvabpracticetests.com/
The kicker is that it’s a test that measures “aptitude” not “knowledge”, so knowing guns doesn’t necessarily mean that you have an aptitude for working on them in regards to the military testing.
Example: When I took my ASVAB I scored very high regarding electrical and electronics aptitude. I knew nothing about that. I also scored very high in Fluid Power (Hydraulics) and Complex Mechanics. I had no knowledge of that stuff. They wanted me to be a GMM, as I mentioned above. That job entails electronics, hydraulics, mechanics and some pneumatics. I had no knowledge of those things. The Navy trained me.
But, there is always a “but”, they needed GMM’s badly. I fit the bill. If they had badly needed some other positions filled that I had aptitude for they may have pushed me there.
The key is letting the military recruiters know exactly what you wish to do and to make sure the Classifiers knows this after you do the ASVAB test. IF the classifier agrees that you test high enough for your chosen job and the branch of the military that you are interested in needs that position filled them they can set you up for that school or job. BUT
make sure you get a guaranteed school for that position, rating, MOS, whatever they call it and make sure that they put that into your enlistment contract! Very Important! No one’s word means squat when enlisting, NO ONES! Recruiters lie like rugs to make quotas. If it’s not in writing it doesn’t matter to the military. You will go where they want you unless you have a guaranteed school in writing.
Think about it, the military. I have made a great living from what I learned in the Navy. I know many many others that have as well.
Happy Independence Day.