Category: News

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. Today’s Post is about John McQuay! 

1. What inspired you to work in the firearms industry?

I had a desire to take the training that I had received in the military and in law
enforcement and pass that on to the citizens of our community to protect themselves
and their families.

2. What’s your favorite firearm or accessory, and why?

While I try to be highly proficient in most types of firearms, I gravitate towards the 2011 pattern of pistols. They mix a classic format with modern improvements. My other favorite is the 12 gauge shotgun. They are simple to learn and difficult to master. My favorite accessory is the Mantis X10 Elite it is a small sensor that attaches to your firearm and allows for a variety of dry fire exercises at home.

3. What safety tip would you give to someone new to firearms?

Learn and live the four cardinal firearms safety rules. Complacency kills. As soon as we think we are too good for the basic rules, a disaster occurs.

4. What do you enjoy doing outside of work? Any hobbies or passions?

I love camping, hiking and kayaking.

5. How do you stay informed about gun safety and the latest industry news?

Training is my primary job. I stay informed by reading industry journals and constantly training to maintain certifications and push my skill level.

6. What’s a common myth about firearms that you’d like to clarify?

So many myths….. One of the worst is about the shotgun. Rumor has it that inside of a room all you have to do is point it in the general direction and you will hit. The reverse is actually true. The closer you are to the target, the smaller the pattern and the more accurate you have to be when aiming. The other myth I hear constantly is that you can’t use a rifle indoors because it will go through six walls and kill the neighbors cat. This is also completely untrue and ignores bullet construction and terminal ballistics.

7. Describe your perfect day off.

My perfect day off is waking up with my wife in one of our beautiful, wide open spaces, hiking all morning to a mountain summit, eating lunch while enjoying the view, then hiking back to camp to enjoy some bourbon by the campfire.

8. What’s your favorite firearm-related quote or motto?

“The two most important rules in a gunfight are: always cheat and always win!” – Clint Smith

9. What’s one thing customers might be surprised to learn about you?

I am actually a really nice guy.

10. Why do you believe responsible gun ownership is important?

Quite simply, an unarmed citizen is a victim in waiting.

11. What’s your favorite part of working here at Red Ghost?

I enjoy teaching and seeing students acquire new skills that they can use to keep
themselves and their families safe.

12. If you could educate the public about one aspect of firearms, what would it
be?

Firearms ownership is a fundamental right. It is no less important than freedom of speech or freedom of religion.

13. Share a fun fact about yourself that your colleagues might not know.

I enjoy reading classical literature like Dostoyevsky, Hemingway and even poetry like Robert Frost.

16. What advice would you give to someone considering a career in the firearms
industry?

Take every class you can. Learn everything you can. Constantly improve your skill set. Even bad classes are learning opportunities. I have taken several classes that taught
techniques that I would not use. However, they gave me the opportunity to test those techniques and see why they fail.