Daniel Strausbaugh

Originally from rural Maryland, Dan was raised around firearms from a young age. He was taught about hunting, target shooting, and, most importantly, how to safely handle a firearm. Further perfecting his skills in the Young Marines, Dan went on to casually teach and familiarize many of his high school friends from non-firearm-owning families in all things firearms and safety, laying the foundation for many a present-day responsible gun owner.

While enrolled in the Mechanical Engineering program at the Virginia Military Institute on Naval Reserve Officer's Training Corps full scholarship, Dan continued to train on various military small arms, including light and heavy weapon platforms. As a New Cadet Military Cadre Instructor, Dan was able to experiment and hone his various instruction methods across a wide spectrum to best match the needs of his audience. He gained particular joy from instruction on the M14 Rifle platform issued to all Cadets. Though his Commissioning into the US Navy as an Aviator took this dirt-loving, trigger-happy country boy on a different career trajectory, his love for, interest in, and training on/of all things firearms never ceased.

After Medical Retirement and eventual right (dominant) arm amputation due to nerve damage sustained in training, Dan persevered in his passion, and enrolled in a three-day "learn to shoot again" clinic sponsored by Sig Sauer Academy and Honored American Veterans Afield as part of his recovery at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. He regained his joy and confidence and learned to shoot left-handed. Though he originally moved to Crested Butte in 2018 as a Paralympic Snowboard Competitor, he moved to Gunnison a year later. He took a job as a range rider (backcountry cowboy) for a 360 cow-calf pair public land grazing permit in the West Elks.

Quite literally "wearing [his] six-shooter" eight months out of the year, he experiences many a wild event, animal, and person riding the backcountry. He also noted the ever-changing world and a deficit of firearms trainers in the Gunnison Basin. In 2022, Dan decided to return to his firearm instruction roots by getting his US Concealed Carry Association Instructor Certification and bringing his unique, professional, and friendly instruction style to his beloved community.

Alongside Dan's co-instructor Gabriela Zaldumbide, Carbon Limb Training offers regular Concealed Carry Courses, and other USCCA offerings to include Home Defense, Basic Handgun, Women's Self-Defense, and Countering the Mass-Shooter Threat.

Private lessons, consultations, and generic firearms safety certifications are also available.

Check out our "What is Carbon Limb?" YouTube video here: https://youtu.be/is2DjeJbzeg

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We look forward to seeing you in class and on the range!