About Us
About First Step Shooting
Daniel Ferszt is the founder and lead instructor at First Step Shooting, a California-based firearms training company focused on safety, confidence, and responsible gun ownership. He is certified by the NRA, USCCA, and the California Department of Justice, and has been teaching firearm safety and defensive shooting skills to the public for several years.
With over four decades of shooting experience, Daniel brings a practical, no-nonsense approach to training. His background in communication allows him to break down complex topics in a way that is clear, approachable, and effective for students at all experience levels.
Through First Step Shooting, he has helped hundreds of students, from first-time gun owners to CCW applicants, develop the skills and mindset needed to handle and carry firearms safely and responsibly.
Proud USCCA Partner
FSS is a proud partner of the United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA), one of the most respected organizations in the country dedicated to responsible firearm ownership and self-defense education.
As certified CCHDF Instructors, we teach a nationally recognized curriculum that goes beyond basic range skills. The training emphasizes safe handling, legal responsibilities, situational awareness, and sound decision-making under stress. Students don’t just learn how equipment works — they learn when it should and should not be used, and the legal realities that come with carrying responsibly.
Working as a USCCA partner means our courses are built on structured, professionally developed material that is regularly updated to reflect current laws and best practices. It also means students have access to additional educational resources, optional membership benefits, and continued learning opportunities long after class is over.
Our goal is simple: provide training that prepares responsible citizens to think clearly, act lawfully, and carry confidently. Partnering with USCCA helps ensure the instruction you receive is consistent, credible, and aligned with nationally recognized standards.
Credentials & Professional Certifications
FSS maintains certifications through both the USCCA and the NRA, along with state-recognized instructor credentials. While certain jurisdictions may favor one training organization over another, our instructors hold certifications across multiple nationally recognized programs. This ensures students meet California requirements without complication and provides first-time concealed carry applicants confidence that their course documentation will be accepted.
Operating within both the USCCA and NRA systems allows us to draw from structured, nationally recognized curriculum standards while maintaining flexibility to teach practical, real-world responsibility. The goal is not simply to satisfy a requirement — it is to ensure students understand the material behind it and can apply it responsibly.
Current certifications include:
- NRA Certified Firearms Instructor
- USCCA Certified Instructor
- California Department of Justice (DOJ) Certified Firearms Instructor
- BSIS (California Bureau of Security & Investigative Services) Certified Instructor
- Certified Range Safety Officer (RSO)
These credentials reflect an ongoing commitment to professional development, compliance with state standards, and instruction grounded in nationally recognized training frameworks.
At FSS, certifications are not about collecting titles. They are about ensuring that every student receives disciplined, legally sound, and professionally delivered instruction from a properly credentialed instructor.