Antonio Vargas

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Antonio began his career with the Federal Government where he was certified in threat and risk assessment and became a member of the Department’s Threat Awareness and Countermeasure Team. He spent time in Washington, D.C., where he received training to become an instructor. Antonio returned back to Albuquerque in order to train Federal Officers on new programs and procedures. Antonio received several letters of commendation and was selected to assist the Secret Service in protecting President Barack Obama during his trip to Albuquerque, NM.

In 2011, Antonio decided he wanted to give back and work more closely with the community he was raised in and joined the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department. He graduated from the 27-week training academy and finished 2nd in his class comprised of Officers and Deputies from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department, Rio Rancho Police Department and the Bosque Farms Police Department. Antonio became a member of the Sheriff Department’s Emergency Response Team where he became certified in response to radiological and nuclear incidents and field force extrications. He received many letters of commendation and was nominated for the Department’s Medal of Valor award. He was also nominated for, and awarded with the Department’s Life-Saving Award for his actions in the field. Antonio was certified in Crisis intervention and later certified in Crisis Negotiation. He also spent time working with children as a School Resource Officer assigned to Polk Middle School before becoming a certified Firearms Instructor. Antonio was later promoted to Detective where he was assigned to the Department’s White Collar Crime Unit where he conducted follow-up investigations on all felony and property crimes to include fraud, forgery, and embezzlement, theft of identity, racketeering, and money laundering crimes. There, he also provided department-wide training to Deputies regarding white collar crime. Throughout his career with the Bernalillo Sheriff’s Department, Antonio earned and maintained the title of Pistol Expert due to his proficiency with firearms and his consistently high scores on his department and State mandated shooting qualifications. Now working for the State, Antonio has continued his proficiency with firearms and earned his agency's "Top Gun" award. Antonio has also completed several courses through the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service and become a certified Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events Instructor.

Antonio is married and has two daughters. He is a parishioner at Risen Savior Catholic Church where he is a member of the Knights of Columbus. He loves sports and has been involved with the community for many years as an athletic coach. He coached youth football and then moved on to coaching softball when his girls became interested in playing. He has coached softball for several years from little league up to High School and College aged levels.

​Antonio has provided many training courses and workshops to local groups and professional organizations in New Mexico on the topics of Identity Theft Prevention and Awareness and also Prevention and Response to Critical Incidents including mass shootings. He has provided training to GAP, Inc., the New Mexico Chapter of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, Risen Savior Catholic Church, Kiwanis International and the New Mexico Association of Family & Consumer Sciences.

The recent rise in violent incidents across the country, many involving firearms, prompted Antonio to use the skills he has learned to help empower others in the community to know that they can defend themselves, their family, and their neighbors. Unfortunately, Police response times are not fast enough to prevent immediate danger to you or your loved ones. Antonio hopes to provide members of our community with peace of mind and the confidence to face every day without fear of being a victim.

​Responsible, law-abiding concealed carry is one way to be a better citizen and protect yourself and your community. Let us help you begin or help you continue on your journey of gun safety.