About Us

Meet the Instructor

Joe Gugin, lead instructor and founder, started Low Ready Arms in 2020. Joe is a former Army Warrant Officer, having served numerous combat tours throughout 13 years of service.

His instructor certifications include:

  • Concealed Carry and Home Defense

  • Countering the Mass Shooter Threat

  • AR- 15 Fundamentals

  • Tactical Casualty Care

  • Self-Defense for the Real Estate Professional

Joe combines his military expertise with his years of firearms and self-defense training to bring clients a unique, holistic approach to defensive marksmanship, close-quarters combat, and counter-terrorism training for church security teams. His mission is to educate people to be disciplined protectors who feel prepared to defend themselves if the incident ever arises. Joe is a member of the United States Concealed Carry Association, strong Second Amendment advocate and works closely with local agencies, school districts, and organizations to educate, train, and empower members of the community.

Joe teaching Low Ready Arms' Realtor Self-Defense Class

Our Philosophies

We believe that every individual possesses an inherent birthright to safeguard themselves and their surroundings. However, this entitlement necessitates the responsibility of comprehensive training to maximize beneficial outcomes and minimize adverse impact. This entails selecting actions that yield optimal overall advantages while causing minimal harm, whether it involves restraining a threat, defusing violence, or resorting to controlled force to safeguard the innocent. Such scenarios demand heightened awareness and sound judgment amidst intense pressure.

  • Our minds and bodies are innately wired with survival instincts. Our mission centers on advancing these self-preservation instincts into protector instincts, thus safeguarding not only ourselves but the broader community.

  • Our focus isn't limited to self-defense instruction; we specialize in empowering individuals to become effective protectors.

  • Our philosophy distinguishes self-defense as reactive and protection as proactive.

  • Being a protector demands a holistic approach — training the body, mind, and spirit to confront any conceivable challenge.

  • We believe that your presence should enhance the safety of any environment you inhabit.

  • Being a protector is a quiet and humble vocation.

  • We uphold the existence of a code and ethics in protection. Each protector should adeptly assess threats and respond appropriately, tailoring actions to neutralize diverse challenges. For instance, countering a mass shooter necessitates a distinct strategy compared to addressing an unarmed individual in a state of mental instability.

  • Certain circumstances warrant necessary employment of force to establish peace, as strength often underpins tranquility. While violence remains a last resort, a protector's hallmark lies in swift adaptation to force, coupled with the discipline to promptly cease upon neutralizing the threat.

“I had a private shooting lesson with Joe, really nice young man. very professional and took his time with me. He taught me the fundamentals of gun safety and use. I would highly recommend using his service. I'm looking forward to taking his CPL class.”

— Barbie P., private training student