I recently completed the 16 hour initial CCW course with Roger and it was an excellent experience. His course is accepted by LA County and he does a great job making sure you truly understand both the legal and personal responsibility that comes with carrying. What really sets Roger apart is his depth of experience. His background in the military and as a shooting coach is obvious in the way he teaches. He explains things clearly, gives real world context, and focuses on building safe habits and confidence. You can tell he has spent years training others and knows exactly how to communicate effectively. The simulator training was one of the most valuable parts. It puts you in realistic situations and forces you to think through decisions, not just focus on shooting. It made the class much more engaging and practical. Roger also made the environment welcoming and comfortable and even provided snacks and refreshments during the class. Overall he is extremely knowledgeable, professional, and genuinely cares about his students. I highly recommend Roger and Basic Gun Safety to anyone pursuing their CCW. I left feeling much more confident, informed, and prepared. read more

This is the best CCW training I have had. I like the flexibility of taking course modules according to my schedule. Roger Harvey, the instructor, is excellent. I learned things I never even thought about or considered. Roger is very patient and he answered all questions intelligently and was very professional in his responses. I initially chose Basic Gun Safety because Roger explained that I didn't have to wait for LASD to Give me permission to take this course, that if for some reason, my CCW renewal was he denied, I would get a full refund. I highly recommend Roger Harvey at Basic Gun Safety for CCW training. I'll come back when it's time to once again renew myCCW. read more

I really enjoyed taking my two-year renewal with Roger. He is very engaging and brings up some great real world experience and situations. While there are a lot of options for these classes in LA, I feel I made the perfect choice coming to BGS. I was not sure how much I would "enjoy" the simulated training module [2nd half day session] but it was very interesting and eye opening. It really makes you think about what you would do in a situation where you may have to shoot. Roger is very easy to be around and I was comfortable throughout the process. See you in two years! read more

I have taken the 16 hour initial CCW course and just recently completed the 8 hour renewal course with Roger. His background, training, and experience provide a unique and exceptional learning experience not available elsewhere. I would highly recommend Roger for any initial or renewal CCW course. read more

Colonel Harvey, Ret. is an amazing instructor. He's patient and incredibly knowledgeable. Such a consummate professional. He speaks calmly on all the subject material, and gives each student time to ask questions. There are no dumb questions! He talks eloquently about gun handling, legalities, emotional issues and personal matters. His demonstrations and video exercises are amazing and entirely instructive. Ive taken 4 refresher classes from different instructors, but Roger is BY FAR the finest Ive ever encountered. Wow, he's a treasure! read more

Roger Harvey is an absolute world class pistol trainer. He has been my coach for the past 3 years during my service as a military athlete on the USA CIOR Pentathlon Team competing overseas. In 2022, I got selected to compete on the team solely due to my military athleticism and overall conduct as a leader. I was not a pistol shooter, I never shot matches or had any real familiarity in competitive shooting. I would often attribute me lack of pistol skill to my female build of 120lbs and small hands. Roger helped me to understand that it is all about technique, repetition, and confidence. He literally coached me from shooting sprayed rounds at the dirt, to shooting X's at 25 yards. Roger is great at teaching the psychology behind the art of shooting and really does help you find the confidence to be a good shooter. He is patient but firm in his instructions. I am proud to have been coached by such a legend. - Jessica Romero read more

Roger was a fabulous instructor. Incredibly generous with his knowledge, expertise and time. I had never held a gun before and by the end of our time together I felt confident handling firearms. I didn't think it would come so easily in so little time but Roger's approach and style is the perfect progression of safety, fundamentals, and practice. The basic principles that Roger instills will last a lifetime. We spent several hours in the classroom; learning safety culture before moving onto laser practice guns with real life-sized scenarios. He has the best, cutting edge software to get you ready. The second part of the fundamentals class was taught at the range with live fire. Roger has the utmost patience for even the most rudimentary beginner. We loved our time with Roger and will book him for additional lessons in the future. read more

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Roger is amazing. Has patience and very knowledgeable. He makes class interesting and fun.

Everything was great. The stimulation was fun and amazing. It was fun and Roger is fantastic if you're looking to learn.

If your want training for your ccw... actual training...this is it. I just completed my CCW training a couple weeks ago and it was really good. I've done another training through a different organization before the rule change and while it was good, this was much better. The two major differences are the instructor (Roger), and the simulator. First Roger is a retired military professional and an Olympic trainer. He knows what he's talking about and has decades of real-world experience. Then he puts you on the simulator for two classes. Without the simulator you're just sitting and hearing lectures for 16hrs! Roger makes it fun, interesting and highly educational. You're placed in simulated actual situations where you're tasked with making a quick decision under pressure. You get to practice your draw from concealment with an automated timer, your accuracy and deescalation skills... only using deadly force if absolutely necessary. Then scan for other dangers. It's intense but you want to do it over and over. All this and he is not cheap, but he is not the most expensive. But you do get the most bang (sorry) for your buck! I'm going back once a year for sure. read more

Roger is the perfect person to teach the CCW class. He is passionate, knowledgable, and engaging. His classes will kept us entertained and intrigued the entire time. We took a private class since we arent able to attend weekend classes due to work. But he was flexible and able to give us the date/time we needed. His commitment for us to understand the basics of shooting and when/ when not to shoot is amazing. we were very clear with every point he brought and his instruction was very simple. He even said that my wife will be a faster and better shooter than I. And from the simulations and exercises, she was! He brought up really good resources and events like shooting competitions that I'm looking into now. This man is A+ for exactly what we need to be a concealed carrier in California. Thank you Roger! read more

After doing research for a while for a CCW class, I came upon Roger on basic gun safety took his course and he is patient knowledgeable. He made the 16 hour course fun and actually made you want to take a longer course. Thank you again, Roger read more

Roger at Basic Gun Safety is amazing. This guy has done it all in the world of firearms so he really knows his stuff BUT he is a down-to-earth regular dude who wants to help his students learn and grow. His classes are a designed to be interactive and get you to think. Roger uses both in-person, Zoom and 1-on-1 range time to teach his classes. In his classroom, he has many tools to help students learn including a simulator for safe dry-fire scenario practice. Roger also has very competitive prices and many class options to fit your schedule. The best part is that Roger is just a good guy and someone who you want to be your instructor. Thanks Roger! read more

I took this course to renew my CCW. The instructor Roger was super knowledgeable, and his classes were great. I highly recommend this place.

Roger is extreemly knowledgeable and easy to work with. I've used him for my last 3 licensing testings and instructions. I'll be useing him for my 4th when it's due. read more

Whether you have never held a firearm before or are looking for competitive coaching for elite-level precision and accuracy, Roger is your guy. He is patient, thorough, knowledgable, and highly skilled. He is incredibly encouraging, never making his students feel stupid, and helps build confidence at all levels. I really enjoyed working with him and can't recommend him enough. read more

Just completed the live range session and the basic pistol course last night. I am a novice at firearms and wanted to get off on the right foot. I picked this course mainly due to Roger's background in education. Some people are able to teach, some people are able to perform. And then there is Roger who is able to do both! Roger's emphasis on safety and depth of knowledge was exactly what I was looking for. During the 2hour live session, his keen eye for detail and experiences in the nuances of marksmanship not only helped identify the errors in my shooting but laid out a path on how to correct those mistakes. His guidelines are readily applicable and will improve your next shot. I wouldn't hesitate to complete his other courses to further advance myself. KN read more

Roger is an amazing teacher. He's extremely knowledgeable and really takes his time to teach his students about gun safety. He pays attention to the small details, and goes over everything that you can think of that relates to guns and gun safety. Roger is quick to answer any questions or concerns right away. Not only do you get to learn about gun safety, but you also are taught what to do in real life scenarios. Roger has a really cool simulation that you can practice shooting and scenarios with human interaction. The shooting range with Roger is an eye opening experience. He uses positive reinforcement and focuses on what you are doing right. I definitely recommend Roger and his classes. read more

We took a family gun safety class with Roger and it was a fantastic experience. He was extremely attentive to my 10-year old son. Roger is a detailed, patient and extremely safety-oriented instructor. My wife and I will be signing up for additional courses. My son is now also interested in spending more time at the range and honing his skills. You cannot go wrong with Roger and Basic Gun Safety. read more

Wow! What a day! I had never seen a real gun before in person. I literally winced when I held a fake (laser) gun and 'fired' it. I was soooo nervous at first, but by the end of the day I was shooting groups that I am so proud of. It was extremely fun, informative, and professional. If you want a safe learning environment and if you want to improve your confidence and your shooting ability, spend a day with Roger, he's such an amazing teacher! I am now safe, confident, and super proud of my improvement. read more

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What a great experience! Roger is a knowledgeable and patient instructor. We would recommend Roger for gun safety and knowledge classes, especially if you have children that you would like to take the course with. We took his Handgun Safety course with our 12 year old and it was one of the best experiences we have had as a family. Besides the basic handgun information, as parents we found the discussion on developing a Culture of Firearm Safety for our family especially useful. This has led to open discussion and outlining clear and consistent rules around firearms for the entire family. Prior to Roger's class as a parent I had always been concerned that handguns were unsafe. Roger showed us that following consistent safety protocols for handling of firearms removes the fear. After taking a course with Roger we are all excited to learn more about firearms. read more

Awesome class again with Roger. Just finished the CCW class. He is so encouraging and makes me feel comfortable, prepared and safe. Definitely recommend him if you need a class or 1-on-1 training! read more

I took Roger's CCW class with my son and a friend. We all agreed that Roger is a great instructor and very easy to work with as far as scheduling classes and range visits. Roger made the class very interesting by using real life stories and cases from his personal experience and research. We all agreed that it was best money we ever spent and we were sorry to see the class end. I highly recommend Roger Harvey/Basic Gun Safety for anyone interested in taking a firearms course or shooting instruction. read more

This class is the best. My girlfriend and I were looking to take a course to improve our shooting and also improve our comfort around handling a firearm. Roger is excellent at getting the best out of his students. Highly highly recommend that if you are going to take a class, you take this one. read more

I just recently took the RSO course and Rifle Instructor course from Roger. He did a great job at teaching the material in a relevant way. He kept the class engaged and gave us a to if tips and tricks for how to safely run a range or instruct how to use a rifle. He's got a ton of experience and is worth the time. I will probably soon return to take the pistol Instructor class from him as well. read more

Great experience with Roger and his FFL service. Had my lower sent to him from Palmetto Armory. Had to return it and he was eager to help me through the process. He was friendly to work with and would highly recommend his FFL services. read more

I took the NRA Basics of pistol shooting and Pistol Instructors course from Roger Harvey. He is professional, personable and I believe to be one of the best training instructors in Orange County. Roger is thorough, precise, competent, personable, knowledgeable and focuses on Safety, Confidence, Competence and Fun. He adapts the class to your experiences and knowledge. He draws you into the class with class participation and projects where we teach each other the information. I came away from the courses confident in my ability to teach and present. I would recommend Roger's courses to anyone! I can't wait to go through more of his classes. read more

Consistent with previous reviews and Roger is professional, personable and knew his stuff to say the least. He tailored the class from my experience and provided tons of insights with my shooting style and technique. Highly recommended teacher and looking forward to take more classes from him. read more

I can't THANK Roger enough for the GREAT training he provides. Roger is very thorough, knowledgable, professional, and patient. Roger prepared me well and guided me through the CCW process. I learned so much from Roger and I'm looking forward to taking additional classes with him to keep my skills and technique sharp. I HIGHLY recommend Roger! read more

If I can give 10 stars to Roger. I would definite do that. Just took a basic pistol shooting class from him this week. I rarely wrote stuff on yelp (maybe just 3 posts in the past 5 years) but i feel i need to write something for this great teacher! You know what, as an Asian girl, (ok. not stereotyping, just stating the fact lol). I really have ZERO knowledge to gun (and gun is not a common thing at all in our culture) Anyway, he really taught me a lot! He was very patient and did tolerate my stupid questions (and i did ask a lot of stuff too!!!). So if you are really really really a beginner like me, this teacher is someone that can help you to think, to understand, to learn, of course. He actually gave me a professor feeling when he explained stuff. So, even I could understand the stuff and learned how to shoot (at least hit the target paper, not some where) from Roger, I believe others can do way better than me. Roger also let me tried different guns and discussed with me on which guns fit my situation better, etc. I had so much fun! Regret that I am leaving the OC very soon. if not i will definitely go for the CCW class. Roger also has detail and helpful information on his website, can take a look on that too. (the new website looks so good btw) read more

Mr. Harvey is truly an expert and a professional. Regardless if you're a seasoned shooter or a complete novice that has never even held a firearm in the past you will learn much from taking Mr. Harvey's classes. read more

I wish I could give Roger 6 stars. I took his CCW class and it was awesome. He's a no BS straightforward instructor who is through, exact and knows what he's talking about. Besides being a great guy with many years of military and professional experience, he's a genuinely good guy. I've been a gun dealer, instructor and collector since 1968, there aren't many guys I trust or respect more than Roger. Do not hesitate to book a class with him, you'll thank me later. read more

The instructor was extremely knowledgeable. I couldn't imagine having anyone better. I wish I had professors in college like this. Simply amazing, and exceeded my expectations in all regards. THANK YOU! read more

The PREMIERE trainer and coach in Orange County is Roger Harvey. Period. Competent, personable, knowledgeable and takes no chances with safety. I never thought I would feel relaxed, comfortable, confident, focused, and safe with a firearm. If you can hire him, do it. He's a busy guy. I shot multiple bullseyes my first time at the range thanks to his system. Roger, thank you for your service to our country and for sharing your experience and knowledge with us. His training was not lecture but inquiry and hands on based. read more

I just took the CCW renewal class with Roger Harvey and he was a great teacher and instructor. He answered all of my questions. He has a cool tool that allows you to practice drawing your weapon from concealment. He provided practical advice at the shooting range that had an immediate positive effect upon my shooting accuracy. He also had some cool tools and tips that I can practice. It was a great experience and I would recommend him to anyone looking to increase their knowledge and improve their shooting skills and accuracy. I would definitely take additional classes from him! read more

It's not possible for me to state with words, just how awesome Roger Harvey and his school are. I learned more in three days with Roger than I could have hoped for in a lifetime. I took my DOJ Firearm Safety Instructor with him and was so impressed that I came back for the NRA Basic Pistol and Pistol Instructor. Money well spent. Life changing classes. I met the greatest group of guys. It was just perfect. He's the best teacher ever, a very intelligent and good hearted person. No complaints whatsoever. I will return for more classes and I will drive from San Diego without any complaint. Thank you Roger, for a life changing experience!!! read more

I have taken two courses from Roger. He is professional, extremely knowledgeable, and concerned about the students enjoyment and safety. Roger does not compromise his course content. He does not try to BS you and try to convince you that he knows everything. The quality of student in his courses are also top notch. I guess water does seek it's own level and a great instructor attracts sincere, dedicated students. I would absolutely take another course with Roger and I trust his advice. read more

This facility is friendly and approachable with helpful, knowledgeable people. I came in for a class with Roger, actually afraid to even touch a gun, let alone shoot it. One 4 hour class, and an extremely generous time at the shooting range with Roger, has me reasonably comfortable and competent with self defense gun capabilities. I can't say enough about Roger! He has decades of professional knowledge and he obviously loves sharing that knowledge with others, and he couldn't be better at it! Safety is stressed above all else, which is probably why I feel more comfortable than I thought I would now!! Thanks for imparting the capability of self-defense, Roger!! read more

I did not grow up around guns and have always been uncomfortable around them. Roger's class helped greatly in teaching the basics of gun safety and care. He was professional and at the same time caring. He spent time with each participant individually. I recommend his class highly. Stephen Chase read more

I took both the NRA Rifle Instructor and Range Safety Officer (RSO) courses from Roger. He knows not only how to shoot, but how to teach! I came away from the courses confident as a new instructor and in my ability to teach and present. Roger spent a good deal of time having us teach each other the information which made a huge difference in my retention. I would recommend Roger's courses to anyone! read more