Doug Kevilus - Founder & Lead Instructor
DOJ Certified CCW Instructor | NRA & NROI Certified Chief Range Officer | U.S. Army Veteran
Doug Kevilus is the Founder and Lead Instructor of 2A Firearms Academy, a California firearms training organization specializing in concealed carry instruction, lawful defensive use, and responsible gun ownership. Doug is a California DOJ Certified CCW Instructor and serves as the primary authority overseeing curriculum, classroom instruction, and safety standards across all courses.
A U.S. Army veteran with a professional background in adult education, Doug brings decades of leadership and instructional experience to firearms training. His approach emphasizes safe gun handling, legal accountability, and real-world readiness—ensuring students are trained beyond minimum qualification standards.
Role at 2A Firearms Academy
Doug is responsible for:
Designing and maintaining all CCW and firearms training curriculum
Teaching classroom instruction for California CCW courses
Ensuring compliance with DOJ, issuing-authority, and range safety standards
Establishing instructor protocols and training philosophy
As Lead Instructor, Doug sets the instructional standards followed by all range and assistant instructors at the academy.
Credentials & Instructor Certifications
Doug Kevilus holds the following certifications:
NRA Certified Instructor – Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, Defensive Pistol
NRA Certified Instructor – Personal Protection In the Home
NRA Certified Instructor – Personal Protection Outside the Home
These credentials authorize Doug to instruct, supervise, and certify students in both classroom and live-fire environments while maintaining nationally recognized safety and instructional standards.
Instructional Philosophy
Doug’s instruction is built around a simple principle: carrying a firearm is a legal and moral responsibility, not a technical exercise.
His courses emphasize:
California self-defense law and use-of-force decision-making
Diagnostic shooting instruction rather than scripted drills
Safe handling under realistic conditions
Judgment, restraint, and de-escalation alongside marksmanship
Students are taught how to think, assess risk, and make lawful decisions—not just how to pass a qualification.
Students Doug Specializes In
Doug primarily works with:
First-time firearm owners
California CCW applicants and renewals
Students seeking structured, law-focused instruction
Individuals who value safety, clarity, and accountability
His teaching style is direct, calm, and supportive—designed to build confidence without ego or pressure.
Commitment to Responsible Carry
Doug founded 2A Firearms Academy after seeing many new gun owners leave training unprepared for the legal and practical realities of concealed carry. His mission is to ensure students leave training informed, capable, and confident—while understanding that avoidance, judgment, and restraint are core defensive skills.