Civilian Firearms Training

The Walton County Sheriff's Office Training Division offers civilian firearms training courses at the WCSO Firing & Training Facility, located near the new administration building, just outside the city limits of DeFuniak Springs. This range was built to provide deputies with a fully equipped facility to maintain firearm proficiency and also allow for no-notice testing and training. The range boasts twenty five (25) short range firing points for pistol shooting and two (2) long range firing points for rifle shooting. Additionally at the range, there is a well outfitted classroom for instruction & training and a “shoot house” that will allow for scenario-based live fire training.

The NRA certified instructors, who are also full-time deputies with the WCSO, are well trained and have a lot of experience. Their weapons experience ranges from military combat experience to almost thirty (30) years of law enforcement experience to being weapons armors certified by Glock, Beratta, and Colt to being a graduate of Jeff Cooper’s American Pistol Institute firearms training center, better known as “Gunsite”.

As a active member of the National Rifle Association, Sheriff Johnson supports the Second Amendment and wanted to open the range & its instructors for all the citizens of Walton County. The current civilian courses that are offered are as follows:

  NRA Basic Pistol Course: This course, developed by the National Rifle Association, can fulfill the training requirement for the citizens applying for a Florida concealed weapons permit. The course will cost approximately $8, to offset the cost of supplies. Upon completion of the course, each person will receive a NRA Basic Pistol Course certificate.

  Youth Hunters Safety: (currently under development)

  Tactical Home Defense: (currently under development)

To sign up for any one of the courses, contact any of the following personnel:

  Sgt. Andy Cassavant at (850) 892-8186 during normal business hours

  Sgt. Joe Preston at (850) 267-2000 during normal business hours

  Sgt. Dennis Ward at (850) 267-2000 during after hours