I have often wondered what it takes to become an accredited firearms instructor, and as it happens, I recently got the chance to ask. Jamie Babun is an NRA and USCCA Certified Instructor in multiple disciplines. Along with her husband, she owns and operates Stay Alert, a firearms training organization that is specifically dedicated to helping students of all backgrounds gain proficiency by cultivating a welcoming, comfortable learning environment. Having been instructors for nearly half a decade, Jamie and her husband offer courses on everything from home defense to concealed carry. However, Jamie will be the first to tell you she wasn’t always an ace instructor, teaching dozens of courses across multiple states, with hundreds of successful students. Instead, she started as a stay-at-home mom, looking for part time work that was both flexible and fulfilling.
In fact, Jamie can remember the moment she decided to become an instructor. In 2020, she noticed that with her children nearing the end of high school, she was beginning to have free time on her hands. This revelation arose in the wake of tragedies involving female joggers like Mollie Tibbets and Sydney Sutherland. She recalled, “It broke my heart and infuriated me that these incidents were happening. I thought to myself, these women need to be able to protect themselves.” From there, her path to becoming a firearms instructor began falling into place. Having noticed that a lot of instructors were male, Jamie concluded that individuals new to the world of firearms, especially women, might feel intimidated and give up on their self-defense journey. Determined to take a stand for her community, she decided to become an instructor herself, and create a learning environment where students could hone their defensive skills without fear or embarrassment.
Nonetheless, the road to becoming an instructor would not be easy. For each discipline, Jamie had to complete multiple trainings, questionnaires and qualification exercises, all of which were subject to approval by an NRA Certified Training Counselor. Only with their endorsement was Jamie able to become a full-fledged instructor. Of course, she powered through these requirements with the same fortitude and tenacity that she brings to her classroom. Jamie drew her perseverance from a singular motivation, saying: “My goal was to help people—especially women and those that would be considered easier targets.”
Over the years, the Babuns have certainly made strides towards her goal. She noted, “We definitely [have seen] an increase in female clients.” With NRA-ILA reporting an almost 255 percent increase in concealed-carry permits registered to women across seven states in the past eleven years, it’s no surprise that nearly 85 percent of their female students are primarily interested in defensive training. Jamie attributes this growth in the market to a simple conclusion: more and more women want to be responsible gun owners and have the ability to protect themselves.
Now, Jamie and her husband have taught dozens of courses, and often enjoy attending conferences and seminars for their profession. She explained, “Some couples prefer cruises, sightseeing, or traveling … we enjoy shooting and being together, so it’s a win-win for us.” Just recently, they attended the SIG Sauer Camp Legion in New Hampshire at the company’s headquarters. During the weeklong event, the couple trained with multiple platforms of firearms, from pistols to bolt-action long-range rifles. The couple always enjoy the chance to expand their skills, and typically leave each function with new information to share with their students.
Despite years of instructing classes and attending trainings, Jamie still considers herself to be far from an expert. She explained, “I am a Certified Instructor. I do not consider myself an expert because I feel that in this field, there is always room for improvement and gaining knowledge. I believe firearm skills and tactics are always changing, evolving and improving, and this is an area that one can get better and learn more every day.” Jamie’s down-to-earth approach also applies to her methodology as an instructor, prioritizing steady student growth over instantaneous results.
Throughout her journey as an instructor, Jamie’s determination has never wavered. She set out with the goal to empower those around her to defend themselves and their loved ones, and she’s done just that. Jamie’s story is remarkable because she grew up no different than any other average American. But when she saw a need, she took it upon herself to be a solution, and acted on the principle that impacting even a single person’s life has a ripple effect. When we empower one individual, they turn around and empower countless others, and our impact spreads farther than we could’ve ever imagined. If we are to genuinely change our society, it will be through small, steady steps: one person at a time. Jamie is proof that change doesn’t have to be momentous or sensational to make a difference.
I cannot help but think what a different world we might live in, if only more women across the country stood up and said, “Not in my neighborhood, not on my streets, not in my town: we refuse to be victims.” We are active participants in the world we will leave to our daughters. Like Jamie, it is my intention, and the intention of millions of women across the country, to leave a legacy not of fear and victimhood, but of empowered self-reliance.
