Student Reviews
Word on the Street
Below is a sampling of some of the feedback our students have offered after training with CSA. We hope it gives you a better idea of what to expect when you take our classes. Maybe soon we can add your positive review to the list! To read more reviews or to add your own, please see our Google listing or visit our Facebook page.
Google Reviews
- Our instructor was Aqil. He was very professional and informative. This course provides a fundamental baseline for those wishing to protect themselves and family. We defiantly recommend this company and plan on taking more courses in the future to enhance our skills.Show MoreShow LessCuckoo6/28/2020The TN enhanced handgun permit class was very informative, easy to comprehend, and overall a delightful experience. From the time you enter the building of CSA to the time you get ready to leave the atmosphere is safe and welcoming.
The instructor was beyond knowledgeable and committed to safety and the course materials. From the class demonstrations to the reassurance on the range, Aqil Q. made sure you knew what you were doing.
I highly recommend CSA for anyone, from beginners to experts. They encourage their students to keep learning and they offer so much to aid in your journey. I’m excited to sign up for the next course which is the ATP I class!Show MoreShow LessEmoni Lewis6/18/2020 - If you have never taken a course for firearms and don't know where to go because there are so many choices out there, stop looking because this is where the buck stops! Citizens Safety Academy has that "IT" factor. The instructors come with tons of credentials, themselves having trained with highly respected individuals in the industry and they try to give it all to you in class. One student said that she has taken a lot of firearms training classes, but after this weekend she felt she just has a lot of worthless certificates. That blew my mind! Fortunately Aqil is my cousin, and I didn't have to go through that, but make no mistake...NEPOTISM has no place atCitizens Safety!!The team, Aqil, Tiff, Tiffie, Ibn & Ryan still train, still learn, still have vetted mentors that are household names in the industry and they sprinkle the curriculum with all the knowledge they've acquired as instructors. I know they are as close as a phone call away for anything they taught, and more. They are a true team and work seamlessly together. Safety. How to instruct. Safety. Firearm knowledge and breakdown. Safety. Aiming. Safety. Range etiquette. Safety. NRA. Sit down Tiff.Zack, JD, Tim, David, Houston, Harvey, Jen, Jackie & Raquel are my classmates who were some of the nicest, safest, intelligent and respectful X-strangers you'd ever want to know. Thank you all for a great weekend. We were a team under the incredible team we got it from at Citizens Safety Academy. P.S. ...my trigger finger is up. : )Instructor candidates!GRAB YOUR BISCUITS WITH YOUR MASTER GRIP, WITH YOUR SUPPORT HAND GO TO THE LOW READY...the rest is on you. Be safe, see you all another day.Show MoreShow LessJ B II11/12/2021My wife and I completed the Enhanced Carry Permit class last weekend. I don't write many reviews, but I had to make an exception here. Citizens Safety Academy should have a 10 star rating!! The instructor is very professional and instruction was the very best! These instructors don't just push you through the class for the money like other companies. They keep the class size small so you have more individual attention and much more training. I highly recommend Aqil. If you're a novice or a seasoned gun owner, he's your guy. We had a blast! Thank you, Chuck B.Show MoreShow LessDiana Brackin with HŌM Group Realty1/06/2020
- I'm a visual learner and the classroom training for Basic Pistol brought a new understanding and increased knowledge. This is a hands on training and the instructors make sure you know it, feel it, and experience it.Show MoreShow LessScott Maulsby8/14/2019Blown away by their professionalism, attention to detail and their ability to adapt to any trainees skill level. The standard for excellence is set here. Even if your a combat vet like myself you will still learn something valuable to you and the defense of your family. You may enter a stranger but your leaving as family.Show MoreShow LessKazzerus AMP9/15/2019
- I highly recommend this company. I took the Enhanced Carry Permit class and it was everything I expected and more. The instructor Aqil was very knowledgeable and patient with the students. I am planning on taking more class from there. I recommend this course and company to anyone.Show MoreShow LessKenneth Mullins5/12/2021
- The Enhanced Carry Permit class here was amazing! It was super thorough & informative. Ryan & Tiffy are hilarious while at the same time great at conveying the SERIOUSNESS of being a RESPONSIBLE gun owner. If this is something you're interested in & you want to learn from ppl that really put the time in to take the courses & obtain the certifications to teach CORRECTLY so that you are set up for success, you can't go wrong with this placeShow MoreShow LessTamira Smith5/12/2021
- The CSA training team is amazing!! They are truly invested in their students' success! Their reputation brought me 500 miles to train with them, and I will definitely be back!!!Show MoreShow LessDenise Hunt4/14/2019Honestly, I was semi-dreading a full day class to talk about gun safety....but Aqil made the day fly by and I learned a lot more than I thought I would. Aqil's teaching style is very fluid and enjoyable. If you are debating on whether to take the shorter route (4-hour class or online class) or a full day class at Citizens Safety Academy....do yourself and your family a favor in choosing the class with Aqil. Gun safety is very important and not something that should be taken lightly and the knowledge gained in this class is the first step in ensuring you're doing the right thing for your family. I highly recommend everyone to take this class, even if you never plan to purchase or carry a gun.Show MoreShow LessKeval Sheth5/12/2021
- This team really knows what they are doing! I had the opportunity this weekend to train with Aqil, Tiff, and Ryan, and they are hands down one of the best teams of instructors I have ever seen. What impressed me the most was their attention to detail when it came to firearms safety. These folks are among the best firearms instructors in the country and I highly suggest taking a course from them! I will definitely be back; I hope to see you there!Show MoreShow LessTME Training5/12/2021I had the opportunity to experience an awesome training by Aqil Kadir last month (Refuse to Become A Victim). The training was specifically given to a large group of senior citizens. It was extremely educational, very well presented and left me and all others with invaluable tips! This was my first such training and I definitely would sign up for any future trainings given by Aqil Kadir's Citizens Safety Academy. Awesome!Show MoreShow LessAndrea Johnson9/14/2018
Facebook Reviews
If you're looking for a fun and knowledgeable class to get your gun permit, this is the one to pick! My dad and I learned a lot and had a fun time while doing it. The 8 hours went by quick.
Read MoreShow LessHeather Adams6/19/2019- I worked and trained with Aqil. He is an awesome guy and Amazing trainer. People that take his class are well informed and well trained. Best of luck in the future!!Read MoreShow LessPaula West Maynard1/29/2018
This is an extremely interesting and well run course. The teaching techniques are outstanding, I have been an NRA Certified Training Counselor for more than 40 years and found this course valuable in improving my techniques and learning newer ways of helping students to learn. Well worth the investment.
Read MoreShow LessBudd Schroeder8/27/2019I am someone that has been afraid of guns and gun culture for a while. I knew that if I was going to find a place to learn I wanted it to be a safe and supportive environment led by people that know their stuff and can meet students where they're at. I am so happy I decided to do my carry permit class at Citizens and I will definitely be back for more advanced classes. They took the time to make sure each student was comfortable and the instruction was top notch and professional.Read MoreShow LessMaria Bascetta6/24/2018 Each lesson empowers me to continue to master myself in all areas, not just safety.
Read MoreShow LessDayna Jaye8/29/2018Just went through the handgun safety course yesterday, far more comprehensive and professional than I might have expected. I highly recommend Aquil and staff for all the thorough information imparted during the class as well as at the range. Great job gentlemen. Folks this is the place to go
To have all your fears removed.Read MoreShow LessDonald Tanner6/17/2018- Aqueel is the best! Great instructor and all around great guy! I was able to pass my Requalification test for my employer to land a awesome job! I recommend him to anyone especially the ladies if your not good with shooting.Read MoreShow LessKrystal Montgomery1/15/2018
My REVIEW is a BLOG I just wrote = 5 STARS!!! https://thecompletecombatant.wordpress.com/2018/10/18/in-a-nut-shell-refer-attend-tiffany-johnsons-nra-women-on-target-clinic/
Read MoreShow LessShelley Luehder Hill10/18/2018I cannot say enough for the team of fantastic instructors at Citizens Safety Academy. The level of comfort and encouragement that these men provided was exceptional. As a first time attendee and complete novice to gun safety, my fears have been eased and brain filled with knowledge and experience. I look forward to learning more for this great group of instructors and people. Thank you, Ryan, Jam, and Aqil.
Read MoreShow LessFerrol Thomas3/11/2019 Took my TN Handgun Carry permit class today. What a great class and the instructors are top notch. They took time to answer any questions we had in the class and on the range. I will be taking more classes with CSA! So happy I picked CSA to take my class.
Read MoreShow LessWade Jones-Ray3/11/2019If you are looking to learn to enhance the safety of yourself and your loved ones, CSA is THE place to go! Not only did Aqil teach me the skills I needed to save my job, he taught me a skill set that could potentially save a life. Is there a better set of skills to have? Go see him!Read MoreShow LessCrissy Rogers1/25/2018Definitely worth your time regardless of being a newbie or someone who is familiar with firearms. Go see Aqil, Marv, and Tiff at CSA. They are all attentive and informative. You won’t regret it. I am a CCW permit holder from CO and needed the TN handgun safety course to apply for my CCW here in TN. Some of the textbook info was a refresher, but I also obtained some very constructive feedback that helped me tweak my grip and stance while shooting. I plan on taking more advanced courses in the future to put some of these techniques into practice. �Read MoreShow LessJason Winsett3/06/2018My experience at CSA was outstanding. It was the best money spent on myself in a long time. I received top notch training from professionals and personal attention on things that needed correcting. The staff was very professional and yet approachable. By the time I left class, I learned the information I came for and gained confidence in my skill, even if I did have trifocals, and felt as if I had now access to people who would help me with questions if I needed them.
Read MoreShow LessAngela Lamb3/24/2019The staff is well versed in personal security and convey that knowledge to the students efficiently. They use the combination of books, training aids, and PDF presentations for their classes. Aqil Qadir, Tiffany Johnson, and Ryan McCann are very enthusiastic instructors. I like them both professionally and personally.
Read MoreShow LessGreg Knox9/09/2019If you really want to learn carry a gun and defend yourself go to Citizens safety Academe aqil Qader h's a more than wonderful teacher and everyone who works with him really learned a lot This guy does not let you go before you understand everything honestly...
With thanks and appreciation.Read MoreShow LessHana Thayab3/05/2018- Very knowledgeable and professional instructor! Highly recommended!
Joe Porter
Certified NRA Instructor & NRA Training Counselor ( Instructor's Instructor)Read MoreShow LessJoe Porter3/28/2017One of the most highly educated firearms instructors in the country, with a gift for teaching!!Read MoreShow LessRichard Smith3/28/2017Simply put, the staff at CSA are absolutely superb. Friendly, professional, and knowledgeable, they have the kind of high standards that will make you into a better (and safer) shooter. Whether you've never touched gun in your life, or you're trying to find room for your 2nd gun safe, the Citizens Safety Academy is the place for you. Many thanks to Tiffany, Aqil, Ryan, and Jam for the excellent service and professional instruction.
Read MoreShow LessJohn Charles Sartain4/01/2019