General Info

Bare Arms was founded in 2016 by William Billy Bare, a retired Ashland Police Department officer and Desert Storm Air Force veteran. Billy uses his vast experience in the military and police fields to inform how he operates his business, applying his expert marksmanship and situational knowledge to classes offered at Bare Arms. Billy also knows what makes shooters safe and comfortable, and uses that to give range visitors the best experience possible. Billys qualifications are top-drawer. He is an expert marksman with an M-16 and 9mm, is certified as a Pops police officer, police firearms instructor and range master, and is a Kentucky CCDW Trainer and National Rifle Association instructor. He has served as an M-60 gunner, worked with the USAF Security Police and has 22 years of service with the Ashland Police Department. He is certified by the Department of Criminal Justice in Richmond, Ky., and is a Smith & Wesson and Glock instructor. Billy is classified an expert in firearms and ballistics by the Federal Court of Columbia, S.C. General Manager Mike Crawford is also a retired Ashland Police Department Lieutenant and Desert Storm Air Force veteran, where he served as a military working dog handler. Mike has a vast array of combat shooting and teaching expertise honed over 20 years serving on tactical and SWAT teams throughout his career. He held positions from entry team and sniper/observer to serving 8 years as team commander. Mike also served as a police firearms instructor for 17 years. Mikes qualifications include advance level police firearms instructor, Glock armorer, Glock pistol instructor, precision rifle instructor, KY CCDW instructor, sub-machine gun operator and many more. Mike is a top-notch trainer, having many years of experience, most recently attending the National Tactical Officers Association Excellence in Training program.