After I’d gotten to know Terry, and after President Obama got elected in 2008, I stopped
at the shop, and the parking lot was packed, and the store was packed. I walked in the
door, and Terry looked at me and said “Oh, good, get behind the counter and start
helping customers!” I didn’t even work there at the time.
Jim
Owner, President
Meet Our Team: Firearms Industry Employee Questionnaire
Get to know the people behind the guns! We’re proud of our dedicated staff, and we want to share a little about what makes them human, passionate, and knowledgeable. Take a moment to learn more about our team members.
- What inspired you to work in the firearms industry?
I started in the firearms industry through a couple of co-workers when I was in high school / college. Growing up in NJ, when I bought my first two firearms, I was immediately part of the “family” at the local shop. When I moved to Evansville after college, I went looking for that atmosphere and found it at Red Ghost with the previous owner. I went to work for him part time after President Obama got elected in 2012, and my passion grew from there. - What’s your favorite firearm or accessory, and why?
Favorite firearm(s) is tough. I love shooting my Glock pistols. I enjoy shooting my AR-15s. I think they are both super useful for most gun owners to have. For shear enjoyment, I love my .22LR pistols and rifles, particularly my Taurus TX-22 and my S&W 15-22 AR. From a collectible standpoint, I really like the HK P7 series, and own a PSP.
My favorite accessory for my shooting development is a shot timer. I can’t believe how long I shot without one, and the immense pressure it puts you under when that timer goes off. It also doesn’t lie, and helps you hold yourself accountable.
- Can you share a memorable moment from your career here?
After I’d gotten to know Terry, and after President Obama got elected in 2008, I stopped at the shop, and the parking lot was packed, and the store was packed. I walked in the door, and Terry looked at me and said “Oh, good, get behind the counter and start helping customers!” I didn’t even work there at the time. - What safety tip would you give to someone new to firearms?
If you learn nothing else when it comes to firearms, internalize the 4 rules of gun safety to the point where they are instinctual. Hurting someone else with a firearm requires breaking at least two of them at the same time. - What do you enjoy doing outside of work? Any hobbies or passions?
I’m passionate about firearms and training (duh). I also work as a firefighter paramedic, and volunteer at my local fire department when not on shift. Finally, I really enjoy spending time on my Kubota tractor, both on my own property and while doing jobs for other people. - How do you stay informed about gun safety and the latest industry news?
I spend a lot of time working on projects and admin work for the gun shop, and while doing so, I generally have YouTube on in the background as a constant source of information. In addition, I follow numerous social media accounts for the industry. I also enjoy taking training classes outside of what we teach, and shooting / training with a diverse group of individuals. - What’s a common myth about firearms that you’d like to clarify?
Most gun owners are normal people that just want to live their lives. They don’t carry firearms at people, or to make a point. They’re carrying firearms as a way to protecting themselves if something goes wrong in their lives. - Describe your perfect day off.
I really enjoy spending time on the range with friends or students. I enjoy seeing the breakthrough in those people when they get it, or they hit the goal that they are striving for, whatever it is. If I can’t be on the range, I love being home with my wife and dogs, or spending time working on the tractor. - What’s your favorite firearm-related quote or motto?
Your fight will last as long as your ammo. – Clint Smith, Thunder Ranch
- What’s one thing customers might be surprised to learn about you?
A bunch of people don’t know that I have a background in engineering, though it isn’t a secret. I haven’t spent much of my adult life working in the engineering field, but the background has helped me with accomplish many of the things that we’ve done with Red Ghost over the years. - Why do you believe responsible gun ownership is important?
Stealing this quote from Clint Smith Raw on Youtube. Always remember that your ability to shoot, and have a firearm makes it so that you’re not subjected to the whims of other people without your permission. In other words, if you don’t want to be raped, robbed, pillaged and plundered, get a gun. It’s just that simple. – Clint Smith, Thunder Ranch - What’s your favorite part of working here at Red Ghost?
I really love seeing the understanding on new shooters faces when they get it for the first time. Even before we started our training group, we spent a ton of time on education in the shop, and it was always rewarding to see that understanding come across a customers face when it finally clicked for them! - If you could educate the public about one aspect of firearms, what would it be?
Firearms are far more common in society in the US than most people account for, and shouldn’t be restricted anywhere near the way they are now. - Share a fun fact about yourself that your colleagues might not know.
I’m an avid reader, and often times prefer to read rather than watch TV. - What advice would you give to someone considering a career in the firearms industry?
Understand that there is a ton of trust that goes into getting a job in the firearms industry, particularly at a small retailer. It takes time to build that trust. I’m not aware of many small shops that hire people directly off the street without knowing them first. Be patient.