What kind of gun-related career would you recommend? I need a college major!

[Precision]

I love guns. I drool over new designs every day, I have wish-lists that I will never be able to afford, and I want to do something for a living where people understand my passion. Where I live, people get weird looks when you say you're into firearms, and you can definitely tell that they're not comfortable with the current topic. Or they just don't care.

I hate CA.

I want OUT! I wanna get into the workforce somewhere far away, where people understand! But unfortunately I'm still a 17-year-old senior in high school and have quite a ways to go before I'd feel comfortable about finding an occupation. I plan on going to a 4-year state college (out-of-state would be AMAZING, but unfortunately money doesn't grow on trees), and then probably another 2 years of school so I can get a Master's degree. But the point is this: I want to work with guns. SO bad.

I don't exactly know what my strengths are yet in that kind of field, but I assume that's what college is for. I just don't know which direction I should go! I'm sure a lot of you guys work in the field in some way or another, so I'd really appreciate any advice you have. I was daydreaming today about how awesome it would be if I was a professional feral hog sharpshooter, the guy that people call when they have a serious infestation. .458 SOCOM FTW!

Because of my background and my extremely anti-gun family, I have had zero shooting experience. I've barely even owned an airsoft gun. But I know more about guns than anyone in my school! Honest! I read about them all the time, every day! I'm always trying to learn more. But if there's one thing I don't think I'd excel at, it's going the military/LE route to learn more about firearms. I don't think I'm cut out for that, and as much as I respect and appreciate our men and women in uniform (that would be A LOT), I think I can benefit our country a lot more effectively with my brain. I'm just not cut out for that, mentally or physically.

Whenever I try to explain my interest to people, they almost always freak out, and ask me questions like "Do you want to kill people?" The answer is an adamant NO! That is quite possibly the last thing on my mind; I just like guns! People just don't understand. Maybe it's because I'm really passionate when I talk about them and I might come across as mentally unsound. Well I'm not, and I hope at least you guys understand that.

I'm a good kid, honest. My GPA is above a 3.00, I'm polite to everyone I meet, I try to choose good friends that I can trust, and I've been playing percussion and drums since I was 8. I've actually been to China, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Canada, all on music tours! Music is another passion of mine, but I don't think it would be an intelligent career choice for economic and competition reasons. Very hard life. Guns are cooler anyway!

So please, give me ideas for career choices. I love all kinds of firearms, and can honestly see myself enjoying a wide variety of gun-related careers. I will throw myself into my work because I'll really be motivated to do well. It truly is a passion, not a phase, and I just hope that I can get super-excited about a career idea so I don't get prematurely discouraged.

Any advice is appreciated. Thanks everyone!

 

[tarosean]

Mechanical Engineering. Design weapons,etc. In addition, its a good backup if the gun industry would somehow fall prey to the current worldwide recession/depression.

or

Petroleum Engineering would mostly put you in Red states where your free to do just about anything with guns.

 

[docnyt]

I understand where you're coming from and it's very frustrating to be young and not totally in control of what you want to do with your life, an unsympathetic family and worse, a gun-unfriendly state.

I had no background in shooting or guns apart from required reserve training and requisite familiarization with the M1 Garand, shooting an M16, etc. where I came from. However, everything just clicked a couple of years ago when a coworker took me out to shoot a SIG P220. It's been a heck of a ride and acquisition habit since.

I am glad I live in a gun-friendly state and I work in the medical field where I can afford to finance my hobby.

So what I'm trying to tell you is, find your strengths, gravitate towards a profession you are good at, and possibly even something you love doing, THEN if you find yourself in a stable position financially, go all out and move if you have to and fuel that desire.

 

[shotgunjoel]

I'll list some college majors for you.

1. Business. Become a business major and run/manage/own a store that sells guns. Also very useful outside of the firearms industry.

2. Mechanical Engineering. As mentioned above you could design guns, or even gun accessories. Also very useful outside of the firearms industry.

3. Law. As long as we have governments we will have legal issues with guns that need to be straightened out. While you won't be physically handling firearms, you would be helping the cause (and making a boatload of money too). Also very useful outside of the firearms industry.


4. Chemistry/ Chemical Engineering. I know, you are wondering how this one applies. Think gun powder or polymers. There are jobs out there. Also very useful outside of the firearms industry.

5. Machining, or some other similar trade. You could use this education to become a very knowledgeable gunsmith. Also useful outside of the firearms industry.

6. Criminal Justice. This is pretty obvious.

I'm sure that there are some other good degrees out there too, but it's late and I can't think.

 

[Bud Tugly]

Lots of great suggestions already, so I'll just add one outside possibility, A degree in graphic design might land you a job drawing up the mechanical workings of guns, especially if your skills lean more to the artistic rather than math/science.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

Pre-law. People with guns are always in need of lawyers.

 

[AlexanderA]

Unfortunately, there's no career in the gun industry, for someone that's just starting out, that's particularly lucrative. Do you want to wind up working in a gun store, for near minimum wage? On the production side, guns are an old-line, "rust belt" industry, and companies go out of business all the time. The basic problem is that guns hardly ever wear out (so there's no replacement market), and there aren't many foreseeable innovations that would make the existing inventory obsolete. Plus, there's an upper ceiling on demand, with the decline of hunting and the saturation of the self-defense market. And production has been fleeing overseas to lower-cost producers.

If you're really interested in guns, I would recommend pursuing this interest as a hobby. To do so, you need a good source of income. Therefore, the best course would be to go into some well-paid profession, such as the health sciences, engineering, or business. (I wouldn't recommend law right now.) Assess your talents and interests (other than guns) and proceed accordingly.

 

[WalterMorl]

Forget about a career in the firearm industry. Get yourself a degree in some engineering field whether it be electrical or mechanical, make the money now that your young and save, save, save. Buy a new gun every now and then but save your money. In less than 20 years you'll have enough saved to go full time guns, guns, guns. Plus by then have one he** of a weapons list too boot.
Walter
P.S. Take it slow, save $ and in time your gun list will grow.

 

[303tom]

Mechanical Engineering.

 

[zfk55]

I can tell you something about our shop.
15 years ago my father and his partner started a business. Both were retired when the began. Dad's partner is a 73 year old Master Machinist, Tool & Die Maker and a Master Gunsmith.

The business is a fireams accessory business, and it's very successful. They sell to distributors only through Brownells and Graf & Sons in the US, AFA in Switzerland, Binnendijk Swiss shops in Belgium and Firearms Sales in Australia.

They began with nothing but designs, bulk steel and aluminum stock, their machine shop and three guys. His partners schooling began with basic and then advanced machining and design engineering. From there it went to a two year certified Gunsmithing school in Denver. In all he had 6 years of dedicated study and practical application.

You're 17 and at the perfect age to follow a similar path, if you're dedicated to the end result. Go to work in a gun store first and you're dead in the water right out of the gate. You'll never leave it. Go right to the starting line with education and you'll own the gunstore with maybe an in-house machine shop.

Everyone who works here is a gunsmith. All have an education in machining with at least a two year certified Gunsmithing school. You're at the starting gate. Which was are you going to go? Its all up to you.

 

[Ian]

Guns are a great hobby but a pretty poor career choice. Find a good lucrative job (engineering, medicine, law, business, etc) and get into guns as a sideline.

 

[beatledog7]

Making a lot of money in the firearms industry is limited to a handful of people, even more restrictive than Hollywood, music, or major sports. You can make some spare change teaching CCW classes, managing a range, etc., but guns are a far better hobby than full-time career.

 

[Chief Sapulpa]

You could start by attending a college that offers an Associates Degree in Gunsmithing. Murray State here in OK is one of the 4 NRA endorsed schools. It's located in a low cost of living area. In addition to learing the Gunsmith trade you can get some basic required college courses out of the way. Once you graduate you could transfer to OU or OSU; both have good Mechanical Engineering programs.
http://www.mscok.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&catid=54%3Aaas&id=148%3Agunsmithing&Itemid=115

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

My firearms education started by selling guns at a gun store. That was not enough for me so I went to the gunsmithing school in Colorado and became certified. Good program if you are willing to put in the time. You get out what you put in. It really helps if you can bring lots of guns to work on or have friends that can send them with you. I was hired by a manufacturer that makes AR-15 rifles and I have been there ever since. I completely understand about California not being a gun culture. Most of my family still lives down there.

 

[hso]

Tool and Die maker with a degree in Mech E.

 

[Spartan Gladiator]

I just hope that I can get super-excited about a career idea so I don't get prematurely discouraged.

Young man you are already ahead of the curve with regards to the mentality most teenagers these days are exhibiting. I read alot of good advice being given and I know you are soaking it in. While the road ahead wont be all fun and games, I would say try to focus on a long term goal that is realistic and work towards it. It might take many years so don't get discouraged prematurely.
I would recommend mechanical engineering and business majors. Both could lead to starting your own business down the road with some sort of gun based influence. I do feel sorry that you find yourself without support for your passion both at home and with your friends, but realized that there are many more supporters out there that you just havent found yet,so dont lose hope. Even in California I have a few friends who share the passion for guns most of us have, but it is a state filled with way too many who dont. Moving might be in your future.
The gun industry might be a hard one to make a living in but that doesn't mean it doesn't make for a great hobby like most of us enjoy. Good luck to you.

 

[Spartan Gladiator]

HSO I see no "low road comments"?? I'm confused at your post

 

[Quiet]

Get a mechanical engineering degree and/or join the .mil as an armorer (US Army MOS 45B).

 

[whalerman]

Stop with the negative comments you guys. We're only young once. Let the man live his life. His question is valid and quite refreshing.

I don't disagree with any of the positive suggestions made here. But I would add another. It seems you like to write. It this age of blogs and personal websites, there are many opportunities for people who have a command of the language. If you are interested in many aspects of the shooting sports, from design, law, marketing, competition and so on, this could be an opportunity to look into. I still wonder why a syndicated question and answer gun column wouldn't work in major newspapers. Not everyone is hopelessly biased. Good luck, Sir.

I sure miss Jeff Cooper in the back of Guns and Ammo.

 

[Spartan Gladiator]

HSO never mind I see that was just your signature, my mistake

 

[shotgunjoel]

Just thought of another one. Communications. You could become an instructor. For this however, people signing up for your class like to see that you were a Special Forces whatever for ten years before you retired and commanded the (name of big city here) SWAT team. Oh, and you have won over xyz number of competitive awards, blah blah blah. You never know, it might turn out alright.

 

[whalerman]

No criticism intended here at all. But I don't think you have to command Seal Team Six or win four Medals of Honor to establish yourself as a professional in the firearms field. The most marketable skill you will ever achieve is literacy, no matter what angle you wish to proceed upon. With a generation learning to do nothing but stare at an Ipod being able to construct complete sentences would make you a valuable commodity. You don't have to be Rambo. You have to be able to think.

 

[Sebastian the Ibis]

unfortunately money doesn't grow on trees

, ..... +

I don't exactly know what my strengths are yet in that kind of field, but I assume that's what college is for.

= Wrong!

College these days is expensive as heck, and if you take out loans you will SEVERELY retard your ability to follow your passions latter, when you are tied to a desk selling insurance to meet your obligations to Sallie Mae. Talk to almost any recent college grad and they will tell you that the conventional wisdom from 10+ years ago, that you can figure out what you want to do in college is all wrong.

Figure out your exact career path, before going to college. That way you know exactly what you need out of college, and how to get it as well and as expeditiously as possible. You are doing the right thing by asking about it.

If you really want to fool around with guns, why not enlist? You will get to utilize more weapons than doing anything else. If you want to go to college, why don't you research the best ROTC program and the cheapest/best school you can find.

 

[Old Fuff]

Having spent most of my long years working at something within the fireaarms industry, I'll give you a hint:

Gun manufacturers, big and little, hire relatively few design engineers. Most of the ones they do hire are involved in the production end of the business.

Like most other businesses, most of the positions are in those departments that handle sales, advertising, accounting, and everything else you might expect from the receptionist at the front desk to the CEO in the top office.

Some of these positions require specific (and sometimes extensive) firearms knowledge, but most simply demand that in an overall view, you can do the job.

What I am really saying is, pick a field that is necessary for any and all businesses. Then add to that a deep pool of knowledge that a gun manufacturer, distributor, retailer (whatever) would find useful. Starting now, if you haven't already done so, read any and everything you can get your hands on. That includes free publications such as catalogs from gun, ammunition, and accessory makers, as well as used books found at gun shows and on Internet sites such as Amazon.com. That, and you have something I didn't when I started out - the Internet, and search engines such as Google. Use that advantage to the fullest.

 

[Kliegl]

I'm a mechanical engineer. I'm currently finishing a masters. Engineering school is tough. I'm not trying to dissuade you, but, be advised, there are courses designed to break you.

If you go in there, and they give you the old, look to the left, and look to the right, only one of you three will make it, they mean it. So many people go into college and declare premed, or engineering, and come out with psychology or human resources degrees because they couldn't hack it.

A 3.0 in high school is nothing. In high school, you are pitted against local kids, most of whom are stupid. In college, you are pitted against the persons in your role at every other high school, the smart kids. There will be kids that are geniuses, that will wreck the curves, and that curved B you could have had is now a D due to some freak.

There will be times when the Arts and Crafts college kids will party, and you will have to study. This time is called Saturday.

Figure out what you want and befriend a senior, preferably not one of the geniuses. He will tell you what courses to take, and what courses to avoid, and what professors to take, and what to avoid. Remember, you are going to college for that diploma, and a number as close to 4.0 as you can. You are not going there to learn anything.

Now, again, I'm not trying to dissuade you, but engineering, or premed, is a commitment, and it is not a normal degree. It will be the hardest thing you have done yet. If you are relatively intelligent, you can do it, but you will work your butt off.
Genius is 99% perspiration.

Also, consider optics. Leupold would be a good career.