What Careers Deal With Guns?

Firearms Related Careers - Top Professions for Gun Lovers

If you really enjoy firearms and getting to use them on a daily basis, there are a few careers that promote that. Here are a few of the top careers for people who love guns.

Combat Arms Professions Within The Military

It doesn't matter which branch of service you choose, they all have combat arms professions. Combat arms is the classification for military occupational specialties that deal directly with conflict. Whether its infantry or para-rescue (USAF PJ), these professions require a constant readiness to be called upon for our nation's defense.

Law Enforcement

Law enforcement agencies employ recruits from the local police level all the way up to the Department of Defense. Police officers are given standard training with optional advanced courses for tactical weapons handling. Each day they go out there and put their lives on the line to ensure their communities are kept safe and protected.

There are also organizations larger than local:
• County (Sheriff's Department)
• State (State Troopers, State Bureau of Investigation, etc.)
• Federal (ATF, FBI, IRS, U.S. Marshals, etc.)
• Defense (Department of Homeland Security)

Each have their own particular arenas but almost all investigating officers and first responders will be required to maintain an intimate working knowledge of weapons.

Overseas Private Security/Defense Contracting

For those who love to travel or simply those looking for a lucrative career, private defense contracting is certainly dominated by a love of firearms. While not all defense contractors are necessarily armed, many of those who serve in security and personal defense are. Small arms - pistols, semi-automatics and SMGs - are prioritized as these are predominantly the weapons employed at this level.

PSCs are generally contracted from those with prior law enforcement or military experience but many of the larger companies offer standardized training packages on weapons platforms used by their employees. Additionally, licenses like an FFL and CCW are given higher priority in the hiring process.

Domestic Private Security/Armed Guard

Having a means getting bumped up to the front of the line. The hardest thing to do is find well qualified, armed people who are willing to do some grueling hours guarding installations, vehicles, and sometimes people.

Priority is also given to those whom have a law enforcement background because of their working knowledge of legal protocol and for interfacing with local law enforcement if necessary.

Altogether, this career has the opportunity to be lucrative but doesn't pay well starting off. Generally, armed static guards and roving patrols are given the least pay while those doing personal security details are given considerably more.

Firearms Industry - Marketing and Manufacturing

One of the coolest things about getting to work with the firearms industry is getting to see when new weapons are made. And many domestic firearms manufacturers want their employees to have intimate knowledge of the weapons they produce for the commercial market.

Not only are you given great discounts on purchasing firearms, you're also in a short line to get to test them out. The biggest downside is that there aren't that many commercial weapon manufacturers in the United States. Your best bet is to find one that is local to where you live and see what careers they have available.

Not all firearm manufacturers are looking for testers and not all employees get to try out the new guns. It really depends on the company, their philosophy, and the laws of the State their manufacturing center is in. But a foot in the door is a foot in the door, no?

Can you think of any other careers for gun lovers? Tell us about it in the comments section below.

About The Author James England (@sir_jim_england) is the contributing editor for Alien Gear Holsters. He is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and private defense contracting in Afghanistan.