On January 31, 2020, the Arkansas Division of Higher Education (ADHE) coordinating board approved BRTC to offer a gunsmithing technology program. BRTC will offer the following:
- Certificate of Proficiency in Gunsmithing Technology in 3 areas:
- Riflesmithing
- Shotgunsmithing
- Pistolsmithing
- Technical Certificate in Gunsmithing Technology
- Associate of Applied Science in Gunsmithing Technology, Rifle Emphasis
BRTC’s proposed curriculum for the Gunsmithing Technology program are safety-based and versatile, depending on the needs and future aspirations of the student.
Applying to the Program
Before being accepted to the gunsmithing program, prospective students must apply to the college and adhere to the following:
- Complete the BRTC application for admission
- Follow and submit the required documents as identified in the admissions process
- Meet the minimum age of 18 requirement
- Be able to successfully complete an ATF form 4473 to purchase a firearm
- Work with BRTC to submit to a background check
Potential students will be advised into the program which best suits them. However, below are some general guidelines which will help future advisors enroll students in the best program.
Certificate of Proficiency in Gunsmithing Technology (CP)
Students with a background and/or skills in machining would be best suited to begin in the CP. This program is created to immediately instruct students in gunsmithing skills utilizing their machining abilities.
This program is 1 semester in length.
Technical Certificate in Gunsmithing Technology (TC)
Students with no background and/or skills in machining would be best suited to begin in the TC.
This program is 1 year in length.
Associate of Applied Science in Gunsmithing Technology (AAS)
This degree is composed of stackable credentials; graduates of the Technical Certificate in Gunsmithing Technology and/or Certificate of Proficiency in Gunsmithing Technology will be able to completely apply certificate classes to the ASS.
This degree will not only offer students gunsmithing proficiency, but students will have an associates degree which may be transferrable to certain 4-year colleges and universities for future education. It will also include courses in communications, math, and business which will better prepare students to be business owners and managers.
This program is 2 years in length.
According to Dave Gregor, former Navy Seal Team 6 gunsmith and former master gunsmith for the FBI’s Hostage and Rescue Team, “‘A gunsmith has to be a metallurgist, a welder, a machinist, a mechanic, and a cabinet maker.'”
To prepare BRTC’s students as fully as possible, each certificate and degree will work to address each of the skills needed for a wide variety of occupations in the public, private, and government sectors.
While many online and correspondence gunsmithing programs are available, BRTC believes in preparing students not just for the now but also for the future. To that end, gunsmithing at BRTC will be an academic program and will ensure academic rigor and integrity. To do so, BRTC feels including the following will not only skillfully prepare students but help keep students safe:
- Students will be supervised throughout the program by program subject-matter and curricular experts in the proper machining, repair, and handling of firearms;
- Students will be instilled with strong safety skills with the intention of protecting them in the workplace, their customers, and others who will be in business with them;
- Students’ knowledge and skills will be carefully assessed, allowing for additional instruction in weak areas; and
- Finally, students’ attention to safety, precision, and accuracy will reduce their future liability and enable them to produce safe, effective work.
A student at Piedmont Technical College said the following:
A lot of gunsmiths today are self-taught,” Potts said. “At Piedmont Technical College, I’ve had access to a lot of things I would never have been able to learn on my own.”
Degree Plans
The following degree plans identify the curriculum required for each of the degrees and certificates.
The Certificate of Proficiency in Gunsmithing Technology is most appropriate for those with a background in machining and is the foundation for the Technical Certificate in Gunsmithing Technology and the Associate of Applied Science in Gunsmithing Technology.
- 2023-2024 — Certificate of Proficiency in Gunsmithing Technology, Riflesmithing
- 2022-2023 — Certificate of Proficiency in Gunsmithing Technology, Riflesmithing
- 2021-2022 — Certificate of Proficiency in Gunsmithing Technology, Riflesmithing
- 2020-2021 — Certificate of Proficiency in Gunsmithing Technology, Riflesmithing
The Certificate of Proficiency in Gunsmithing Technology is most appropriate for those with a background in machining and is the foundation for the Technical Certificate in Gunsmithing Technology and the Associate of Applied Science in Gunsmithing Technology.
- 2023-2024 — Certificate of Proficiency in Gunsmithing Technology, Shotgunsmithing
- 2022-2023 — Certificate of Proficiency in Gunsmithing Technology, Shotgunsmithing
- 2021-2022 — Certificate of Proficiency in Gunsmithing Technology, Shotgunsmithing
- 2020-2021 — Certificate of Proficiency in Gunsmithing Technology, Shotgunsmithing
The Certificate of Proficiency in Gunsmithing Technology is most appropriate for those with a background in machining and is the foundation for the Technical Certificate in Gunsmithing Technology and the Associate of Applied Science in Gunsmithing Technology.
The Technical Certificate in Gunsmithing Technology is most appropriate for the beginning student and is the first year of the Associate of Applied Science in Gunsmithing Technology. Students may begin directly in this program without first having completed a certificate of proficiency.
- 2023-2024 — Technical Certificate in Gunsmithing Technology, Rifle Emphasis
- 2022-2023 — Technical Certificate in Gunsmithing Technology, Rifle Emphasis
- 2021-2022 — Technical Certificate in Gunsmithing Technology, Rifle Emphasis
- 2020-2021 — Technical Certificate in Gunsmithing Technology, Rifle Emphasis
The Associate of Applied Science in Gunsmithing Technology is a stackable credit which will incorporate the Technical Certificate and the Certificate of Proficiency if a student has them. Students may begin directly in the Associate of Applied Science in Gunsmithing Technology program without first having completed a technical certificate or a certificate of proficiency.