Justin Murillo
Instructor # 4199988 | JUSTIN MURILLO
Certified with the USCCA since 7/20/2026
Certification Renewal Date 7/19/2027
USCCA Certifications
- Concealed Carry & Home Defense
My Biography
Justin is a USCCA Certified Firearms Instructor and Range Safety Officer at Vault Arms in Tyler, Texas. As a U.S. Army veteran, he brings a disciplined, safety-focused approach to every class while maintaining a relaxed and welcoming learning environment.
Justin specializes in helping new and developing shooters build confidence with their firearms through practical, easy-to-understand instruction. His courses emphasize safe firearm handling, handgun fundamentals, defensive shooting skills, situational awareness, and responsible firearm ownership.
Whether a student is handling a firearm for the first time or looking to strengthen existing defensive skills, Justin’s goal is to provide realistic training that leaves every student safer, more capable, and better prepared to protect themselves and their families.
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One-on-One Basic Handgun Fundamentals
This private, one-on-one course is designed for new handgun owners, first-time shooters, or anyone who wants personalized instruction without the pressure of a group environment.
Students will work directly with a USCCA Certified Instructor at a comfortable pace. Instruction will be tailored to the student’s experience level, firearm, physical abilities, and individual training goals. Questions are encouraged throughout the course, and additional attention will be given to any skill the student needs help developing.
The classroom portion covers firearm safety, handgun parts and operation, ammunition, proper loading and unloading procedures, handgun selection, safe storage, and the responsibilities that come with owning a firearm.
During the live-fire portion, students will receive hands-on instruction covering:
- Proper stance and shooting position
- Establishing a safe and effective grip
- Sight alignment and sight picture
- Trigger control and follow-through
- Loading, unloading, and verifying firearm condition
- Safe handgun manipulation
- Basic malfunction recognition and clearing
- Recoil management
- Accuracy and confidence-building drills
No previous shooting experience is required. By the end of the course, the student should have a stronger understanding of handgun safety, operation, and shooting fundamentals, along with a clear plan for continuing their firearms training.
This course includes approximately two hours of classroom instruction and one hour of supervised live-fire range training.
Women’s Basic Handgun Fundamentals
Women’s Basic Handgun Fundamentals is designed for women who are new to firearms, considering handgun ownership, or looking to improve their safety, confidence, and shooting skills.
This beginner-friendly course provides a comfortable and supportive learning environment where students can ask questions, learn alongside other women, and receive professional instruction from a USCCA Certified Instructor. No previous firearm or shooting experience is required.
Classroom instruction will cover:
- The fundamental rules of firearm safety
- Handgun parts, functions, and operation
- Differences between revolvers and semi-automatic handguns
- Ammunition types and basic terminology
- Safe loading and unloading procedures
- Proper firearm storage and transportation
- Choosing a handgun that properly fits the shooter
- Responsible firearm ownership
- Basic personal-protection considerations
During the live-fire portion of the course, students will receive hands-on instruction covering:
- Proper shooting stance
- Building a safe and effective grip
- Sight alignment and sight picture
- Trigger control and follow-through
- Safe loading and unloading
- Verifying firearm condition
- Recoil management
- Basic malfunction recognition and clearing
- Accuracy and confidence-building drills
Students are encouraged to bring their own handgun if they have one, but firearm ownership is not required to attend.
Firearms will be available to rent for students who need one or who would like to try different handgun options. Students needing a rental firearm should contact the instructor before class to reserve one and confirm ammunition requirements.
By the end of the course, students should have a stronger understanding of handgun safety, operation, and basic marksmanship. They should also leave with increased confidence handling and shooting a firearm safely and responsibly.
This course provides the foundation needed to continue into Women’s Defensive Pistol and other defensive handgun training courses.
Women’s Defensive Pistol
Women’s Defensive Pistol is Part Two of our three-part women’s handgun training series:
- Women’s Basic Handgun Fundamentals
- Women’s Defensive Pistol
- Women’s Advanced Defensive Handgun
This course builds upon the safety, firearm-handling, and marksmanship skills taught in Women’s Basic Handgun Fundamentals. It is designed for women who are ready to move beyond basic target shooting and begin developing the practical skills needed to carry and use a handgun responsibly for personal protection.
Students will train in a supportive group environment under the supervision of a USCCA Certified Instructor. The course combines classroom education with supervised live-fire exercises focused on defensive handgun use, concealed carry considerations, situational awareness, and responsible decision-making.
Classroom instruction will cover:
- Developing situational awareness
- Recognizing and avoiding potential threats
- Concealed-carry methods and considerations
- Selecting a defensive handgun and holster
- Responsible firearm storage and transportation
- Understanding the defensive mindset
- Avoidance, de-escalation, and escape
- The legal and personal responsibilities associated with self-defense
- Developing a realistic personal-protection plan
During the live-fire portion, students will receive hands-on instruction covering:
- Reviewing safe firearm handling and basic marksmanship
- Safely presenting the handgun from a holster
- Establishing a consistent defensive grip
- Defensive shooting positions
- Recoil control and follow-up shots
- Reloading and basic malfunction clearing
- Shooting from practical defensive distances
- Movement and the proper use of cover
- Defensive accuracy and decision-making drills
Prerequisite: Students should successfully complete Women’s Basic Handgun Fundamentals or receive instructor approval before registering. Students must already demonstrate safe handgun handling and a basic understanding of handgun operation.
Students are encouraged to bring the handgun and holster they intend to carry. However, firearm ownership is not required to attend.
Firearms will be available to rent for students who need one or who would like to try another handgun option. Students needing a rental firearm should contact the instructor before class to reserve one and confirm ammunition and holster requirements.
By the end of the course, students should have a stronger understanding of concealed carry, defensive handgun use, situational awareness, and the responsibilities that come with carrying a firearm for personal protection.
Successful completion prepares students to continue into Part Three: Women’s Advanced Defensive Handgun.