(Article) Yavapai College Gunsmithing Program Touted as One of the Best in Nation

Yavapai College Gunsmithing Program Touted as One of the Best in Nation

Prescottonians love their guns. To be sure, the local culture and history has contributed to its earning the moniker “Gun Town USA.” But would it surprise you to know that there are more Federal Firearms Licenses per capita in Prescott than any other city in the country? Also, as the host to one of the major arms producers (Sturm, Ruger & Co.) as well as one of the best training facilities (Gunsite) there can be no doubt, Prescott is a gun Mecca. Therefore, it is only natural that the city is home to one of the premier gunsmithing programs in the nation. Since the 1970’s, Yavapai College has offered a variety of degree or certificate options teaching the wide range of skills that work together towards a proficiency for students interested in this highly-specialized trade.

Gunsmithing is the repair, modification, design and building of firearms. Among the surprising few accredited colleges that offer certificate and  associate’s degrees in this specialized field, Yavapai is rated as one of the best. Whether you are a hobbyist or seriously considering a career in the industry, there are a wide range of courses offered that you can take advantage of. These include stockmaking, rifle theory, entrepreneurship, rebarreling, metal refinishing, and machining among others.

Any online search for “gunsmithing schools” produces countless results of online courses. While these can provide you with basic knowledge, they cannot give you the hands-on experience necessary. Gunsmithing revolves around machining, metal finishing and welding which can only be mastered in a shop setting, something an online course can never reproduce.

The application process for Yavapai College’s gunsmithing program is a bit different than standard courses but navigable if you are ahead of the game. Don’t wait until the last minute and expect to get in. The program is in high demand and most years see…………………..

First, visit the college admissions website and work through the application process. You’ll complete an application, establish residency, view an online orientation, apply for financial aid, make appointments for placement tests and have high school or previous college transcripts sent to the registrar. I recommend getting these things out of the way at least 6 months prior to the gunsmithing program application deadline.

The next stage in the process is specific to the program and some of the requirements are time-sensitive. By this point you’ll have a Yavapai College Student ID#. Submit that with a copy of your driver’s license, concealed carry permit (if you have one) or a current Federal Background Check. You can get a personal FBI Background Check online by using a service like Inquiries, Inc. who conducts checks for personal use. You will need to visit a local police station and to have a fingerprint card generated for this purpose. I’m of the opinion that an applicant should go the CCP route as any check has to be performed in a one month window before the January application deadline of the year in which you want to enroll in the program. In addition, the fee for a one-time check like this will be better spent on the much more useful permit.

Only then can you actually apply to be considered for the program. The application opens in early January so check with the college so you can be ready to complete and submit the form online the moment it opens. The gunsmithing program is in such high demand that they only register the first 50 applicants and place another 15 on an alternate list so it is important that you have all of your ducks in a row. Admittedly, it seems a bit involved. That is why it is important to start the process early once you decide to enroll. The Yavapai College counselors are extremely helpful and eager to assist you in navigating the enrollment process.