| Professionals with gunsmith training design | | | | colleges, and technical schools. Recently, online |
| firearms, clean and repair them, perform regular | | | | courses for gunsmiths have become available. The |
| maintenance, troubleshoot malfunctions, test for | | | | potential student should be sure that any program |
| operation and accuracy, and modify them | | | | being considered offers credentials that will be |
| according to client instructions. These specialists | | | | accepted by employers, and is accredited by |
| are often self employed or employed in small | | | | education standards organizations. The individual |
| business, but they may also find employment with | | | | evaluating gunsmith schools should also be aware |
| firearms manufacturers, industries and service | | | | that, in most cases, self-employed gunsmiths will |
| companies where firearms are used, or with the | | | | need to be eligible for, and acquire, a Federal |
| military or firearms clubs. In the United States, | | | | Firearms License. |
| where many people carry hand guns for personal | | | | The skills acquired in gunsmith training are |
| protection, gunsmiths are often needed. | | | | applicable to many other types of employment |
| Gunsmith schools prepare students for all of | | | | where mechanical tools and instruments are |
| these types of employment. Courses teach gun | | | | designed and manufactured. Therefore, although |
| design and construction, including the use of all | | | | employment opportunities in the gunsmith field are |
| hand tools and machine tools necessary to | | | | likely to remain steady or increase slightly in the |
| complete the task. They teach safe handling and | | | | future, graduates of gunsmith schools can rest |
| operation of guns as well as appropriate | | | | assured that they have skills that are easily |
| maintenance and cleaning procedures. General | | | | transferable to other jobs with comparable |
| gunsmith training can be augmented by | | | | opportunities, benefits and salary range. At |
| specialization in various areas such as finishing and | | | | present, gunsmiths earn an average of $20,000 |
| refinishing, decoration, and custom design. | | | | to $40,000 US annually, with some individuals |
| Gunsmith training is available from trade schools, | | | | earning considerably more. |