Eugene Mitchell
Instructor # 2191129 | OnPoint Defense
Certified with the USCCA since 10/29/2020
Certification Renewal Date 10/25/2026
USCCA Certifications
- Concealed Carry & Home Defense
- Women's Handgun & Self-Defense
- Emergency & First Aid
- Countering the Mass Shooter
- Children's Firearms & Safety Fundamentals
My Biography
Eugene Mitchell is a certified firearms instructor and the founder of OnPoint Defense, a Knoxville-based training center dedicated to safe, accessible, and confidence-building firearms education. A graduate of Tennessee Technological University’s College of Engineering, Eugene combines technical expertise with a passion for empowering everyday citizens through practical, personalized instruction.
He holds multiple certifications, including:
USCCA Certified Firearms Instructor, specializing in Basic Handgun Safety, Home Defense, Women’s Self-Defense, Emergency First Aid Fundamentals, and Countering the Mass Shooter Threat
State of Tennessee Certified Handgun Instructor and Certified Handgun Safety School
NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, Certified Pistol, Shotgun, Rifle, and Home Defense Instructor
State of Tennessee Department of Commerce Certified Armed Security Guard
American Safety & Health Institute Certifications in CPR, AED, Basic First Aid, and Advanced Bleeding Control
Eugene is known for his patient, beginner-friendly teaching style and his ability to meet students at their current comfort and skill level. He has trained a wide range of clients—from first-time gun owners and families to civic organizations and individuals with disabilities—always with a focus on safety, confidence, and real-world readiness.
An active member of local civic and charitable organizations, Eugene is deeply committed to serving his community and making firearms education approachable for all.
Current Classes Available
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Foundations of Handgun Safety Recommended before registering for the Tennessee Enhanced Handgun Carry Permit (includes reciprocity)
This hands-on course is designed for individuals who are new to firearms or may feel uneasy handling them. Students will learn essential safety principles and handgun handling skills in a supportive, beginner-friendly environment.
What You’ll Learn
- Universal Handgun Safety Rules
- Semi-Automatic Pistol Manipulation
- Clearing the chamber
- Removing and inspecting the magazine
- Loading and unloading magazines
- Charging the firearm
- Shooting Fundamentals
- Stance
- Grip
- Sight alignment & sight picture
- Trigger control
- Breath control & follow-through
- Dry-Fire Target Practice
- Live-Fire Introduction
Certification Upon successful completion, students will receive a USCCA Certificate of Completion, which also qualifies you to apply for the Tennessee Concealed Carry Permit (non-reciprocal).
Foundations of Handgun Safety Recommended before registering for the Tennessee Enhanced Handgun Carry Permit (includes reciprocity)
This hands-on course is designed for individuals who are new to firearms or may feel uneasy handling them. Students will learn essential safety principles and handgun handling skills in a supportive, beginner-friendly environment.
What You’ll Learn
- Universal Handgun Safety Rules
- Semi-Automatic Pistol Manipulation
- Clearing the chamber
- Removing and inspecting the magazine
- Loading and unloading magazines
- Charging the firearm
- Shooting Fundamentals
- Stance
- Grip
- Sight alignment & sight picture
- Trigger control
- Breath control & follow-through
- Dry-Fire Target Practice
- Live-Fire Introduction
Certification Upon successful completion, students will receive a USCCA Certificate of Completion, which also qualifies you to apply for the Tennessee Concealed Carry Permit (non-reciprocal).
Private Firearms Instruction One-on-One Training | By Appointment Only | 1-Hour Sessions
This course is ideal for individuals seeking a personalized experience to build new skills or refine existing ones. Each session is custom-tailored to meet the specific needs, goals, and comfort level of the student.
Common Areas of Focus
- Basic firearm and range safety
- Proper grip and stance
- Trigger control
- Breath control
- Sight picture and sight alignment
- Follow-through techniques
- Malfunction identification and clearing
- Individual concerns and skill development
Student Responsibility
- Handgun and ammunition
- Eye and hearing protection
- Range fee and signed liability waiver
- Additional targets (if desired)
Tennessee Enhanced Handgun Carry Permit Class 6-Hour Course | Classroom + Live Fire Range
This comprehensive course meets the State of Tennessee’s requirements for obtaining the Enhanced Handgun Carry Permit. It includes both classroom instruction and off-site live-fire qualification.
Upon successful completion, students will be authorized to carry a handgun in 37 states, including Tennessee, with the ability to open carry or conceal carry under the Enhanced Permit.
Course Topics
- Universal handgun safety rules
- Legal requirements for transporting a handgun in Tennessee
- Legal liabilities of carrying a firearm
- Use of deadly force and self-defense laws
- Ammunition and firearm malfunctions
- And more
REQUIREMENTS: This is a two-hour in-person class covering the Legal Use of Force with a certified firearms instructor.
Upon completion, simply return to your Protector AcademyTM training to add your course into your account after completion.
The classroom portion is followed by a series of basic handgun marksmanship challenges at the range.
Level 01 Shooting Qualification:
SUCCESS CRITERIA: You must get at least 70% (35 or more) of your shots inside the 9-inch center circle of your target.
COURSE OF FIRE: You will complete a series of basic handgun marksmanship challenges meant to test your accuracy at varying distances. There will be NO time limits. This is purely a test of your accuracy with your self-defense handgun.
STAGE 1: Put your target 3 yards away from you on the range. Fire 10 rounds at the 9-inch center circle. STAGE 2: Place your target 5 yards downrange. Fire 10 rounds at the 9-inch center circle. STAGE 3: Place your target 7 yards downrange. Fire 10 rounds at the 9-inch center circle. STAGE 4: Place your target 10 yards downrange. Fire 10 rounds at the 9-inch center circle. STAGE 5: Place your target 15 yards downrange. Fire 10 rounds at the 9-inch center circle.
ASSESSMENT: If you successfully placed 70% (35 or more) of your total shots inside the 9-inch center target, you have completed your Level 01 USCCA Qualification. (“Inside” does not include breaking the ring. A shot must be fully inside the ring to count.)
This is a hands on training course designed to teach students who are inexperienced with handguns or maybe afraid to handle a handgun and want to learn to use a handgun as an option to protect their family.
[Students will learn the following]
*Universal Handgun Safety Rules *How to manipulate a semi-automatic pistol... clear the chamber of cartridges strip the magazine and confirm the gun is empty loading / unloading magazines charging the firearm *Shooting fundamentals including... stance grip sight alignment / sight picture trigger control breath control & follow through *Dry Fire Target Practice *Introduction to live-fire shooting. (Instructor will schedule One on One Live Fire Range time separately with each student after the completion of the class room presentation)
At the successful completion of this course the student will be awarded a USCCA Certificate of Completion that will also qualify you to apply for your TN Concealed Carry Permit. (No Reciprocity)
Tennessee Enhanced Handgun Carry Permit Class 6-Hour Course | Classroom + Live Fire Range
This comprehensive course meets the State of Tennessee’s requirements for obtaining the Enhanced Handgun Carry Permit. It includes both classroom instruction and off-site live-fire qualification.
Upon successful completion, students will be authorized to carry a handgun in 37 states, including Tennessee, with the ability to open carry or conceal carry under the Enhanced Permit.
Course Topics
- Universal handgun safety rules
- Legal requirements for transporting a handgun in Tennessee
- Legal liabilities of carrying a firearm
- Use of deadly force and self-defense laws
- Ammunition and firearm malfunctions
- And more
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