GunSmartNOLA

TESTIMONIALS OF GUNSMARTNOLA

Although I retired 14 years ago, I wanted to give back to the community; to help people become more aware, more alert and to implement certain strategies that would make them less likely to become a victim of a violent crime.

I am happy to report, after teaching nearly 3,000 students, the positive feedback keeps rolling in making all the work and effort worth it.

Check out some of the 'Testimonials students have provided over the last few years:

TESTIMONIALS | GunSmart Nola “Good morning Mark,Thank you for your honest and personal assessments of our participation in your Concealed Carry class.Afterward, when my wife, daughter and I discussed our day, we all emphatically agreed that your class content was over the top. We did not anticipate learning so much about all ...

Concealed Handgun Class this past Saturday, 11/15/25.

Testimonial from a student above:

Excellent - 5 Stars
Class taken on Nov 15, 2025 | Taught by Mark Shreve

"Mark is well-prepared for the class, knowledgeable, and uses many real-life historical scenarios, as well as prospective situational examples that aided tremendously in understanding the material presented"

Dennis S.
Submitted on Nov 17, 2025 by Dennis S.

Another review from a student in my October 18th class:

EXCELLENT 5 Stars
Class taken on Oct 18, 2025 | Taught by Mark Shreve

"Very detailed content on all aspects of concealed carry and the application process."

Submitted on Oct 21, 2025 by

Larry W.
Destrehan, LA

'CONSTITUTIONAL' / PERMIT-LESS CARRY.

Someone called and asked why he should get a LA State Police Concealed Handgun Permit or bother with any formal training at all. He added he could already carry with ZERO training since the state allows it. He indicated his only experience was his uncle teaching him how to shoot years ago and added he occasionally goes to the range. Wow.

My response:

How do you know if your uncle was teaching you correctly? Did he cover - when you can legally use deadly force in self-defense, what to say or not say to the police if involved in a self-defense incident, situational awareness (the color codes of awareness), conflict avoidance, the possibility of your arrest, when to call an attorney, can you afford bail if arrested, how to protect yourself physically and financially, storage, the proper grip, proper aiming, the best defensive stance, bullseye shooting verses defensive shooting, trigger control, follow-through, clearing jams in seconds, the Louisiana laws and statutes relative to gun ownership and use, obligations required if confronted by a law enforcement officer in an official capacity, holsters, where/how to carry, muscle memory, lasers, ammunition knowledge, child access prevention, the physical and mental effects of being under extreme stress (with increased adrenaline and endorphins), tactical magazine re-loads, etc.

He argued he already knew all of that. Hmm, really?

Why then do I have former/retired law enforcement officers taking my class as well as former/retired and even some active military?

Now in my 14th year, and 3,000 students later, why do I continue to get people from all walks of life:

- all races
- all religions
- all nationalities
- all income levels: from multi-millionaires, to those making
minimum wage, to the unemployed
- all professions: judges, politicians, surgeons, attorneys,
veterinarians, security guards, firefighters, Catholic priests, CEOs,
engineers, physical therapists, small business owners, pastors,
nurses, professionals, secretaries, authors, anesthesiologists,
landscapers, truck drivers, traveling sales reps, real estate agents
. . . ?

Perks:
- With a permit there is reciprocity in 37 other states, besides
Louisiana, (With a bill that has recently been submitted it may
soon be in all 50 states considering there is bi-partisan
support.)

* Without a permit you cannot carry concealed in any other state
in the South except Arkansas.

- Showing the dealer your permit waives the background check
when purchasing a firearm since you already had one conducted
by the State Police (passed by legislature in March 2015).

- If involved in a self-defense incident, you will be likely be looked
upon more favorably as it shows law enforcement and the justice
system you take carrying seriously and want to get all the training
you can to increase your knowledge which will increase the odds
of you not being charged criminally or being sued civilly.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. DO THE RIGHT THING FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR LOVED ONES.

GET TRAINED!!

State Police Certified Concealed Carry Class | GunSmart Nola State Police Certified Concealed Carry Class

Two STUDENT REVIEWS I received on the USCCA website regarding my Class on 10/18/25:

EXCELLENT * 5 Stars

Class taken on Oct 18, 2025 | Taught by Mark Shreve.
"Mark was a great at sharing his knowledge with us!
Thank you Mark."

Submitted on Oct 19, 2025 by

Cynthia W.
Metairie, LA
______________________________________________________

EXCELLENT * 5 Stars
Class taken on Oct 18, 2025 | Taught by Mark Shreve.

"Mark is a great instructor."

Submitted on Oct 19, 2025 by

Richard.
Metairie, LA

GREAT CLASS YESTERDAY - October 18, 2025

COVERING:
Conflict Avoidance and Situational Awareness
Home Defense
Handgun Nomenclature / Safe Handling Procedures
Ammunition Knowledge and the Fundamentals of Pistol Shooting
Child Access Prevention and Home Storage
Firearm Cleaning and Maintenance
Use of Deadly Force and Conflict Resolution
Applicable Louisiana Statutes
Actual Live Fire Qualification at the Range
Protecting yourself – not just physically but legally and
financially as well

Yesterday's Class:

September 27, 2025

A GREAT class yesterday,
Saturday September 20th.

Next class is Saturday, September 20th.

REVIEW ON THE USCCA SITE FROM A STUDENT WHO TOOK MY CLASS ON ON AUGUST 9, 2025.

Excellent! *5 Stars
Taught by Mark Shreve

"Fantastic class - informative, complete and enjoyable."

Submitted on Sep 4, 2025

by Richard M.
New Orleans, LA

A VERY NICE SURPRISE !!

A 73 year old gentleman approached me at the gun show at the Alario Center in Westwego on August 23, 2025. I recognized him immediately realizing he was a former student.

He reminded me he took my class back in 2024. He had approached several other instructors before me but they showed little interest in making accommodations for him to take a concealed carry permit class. However, I was glad to help. After taking the class, he was able to submit his application and received his permit shortly thereafter. He expressed his gratitude and thanked me repeatedly.

Admittedly, I have received some very touching 'Testimonials' over the last 13+ years but what this man did brought tears to my eyes.

Despite his limitations, he presented me with a gift; something he made by hand, burning letters onto a piece of tree trunk.

We will all grow old (if you are lucky). We should have compassion for those who have reached that point before us. We don't know what pain they may be enduring, sadness they may be feeling, or loneliness that may be experiencing. In this case, he just wanted to be trained with a handgun to allow him a chance to defend himself as he felt vulnerable. But, he wanted to get the proper training from a certified instructor to be a knowledgeable, safe, responsible gunowner.

I spent considerable time at the range with him until he 'qualified'.

I am so glad I did. "In the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make."

GUN SHOW 8/23/25

https://nationalgunbroker.com/trump-task-force-cuts-d-c-concealed-carry-permit-wait-from-months-to-days/

Trump Task Force Cuts D.C. Concealed Carry Permit Wait From Months to Days | National Guns WASHINGTON, D.C. — Law-abiding residents in the nation’s capital are now able to obtain concealed carry permits in just days instead of months, following a