Central Wyoming College (CWC) is taking a leading role in firearms education and public safety training through its Rocky Mountain Justice Academy (RMJA), offering courses that range from concealed carry certifications to full law enforcement qualifications. The upcoming Wyoming Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) Qualification event, scheduled for September 27 at the Shoshoni Rifle Range, allows participants to experience the same annual handgun qualification required of state law enforcement officers. The course runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is designed for intermediate and advanced pistol shooters who want to test their skills against professional standards. This program is taught by Cody Myers, CWCs Director of Campus Security and a POST-certified firearms instructor with extensive experience in both law enforcement and campus safety. Myers, himself a CWC alumnus, emphasizes safety and progressive skill development, ensuring students move from fundamental marksmanship to timed defensive shooting drills that mirror real-world scenarios. Participants are required to bring a center-fire pistol, three magazines, a strong-side holster, and 300400 rounds of ammunition, replicating the logistical preparation officers undergo for their annual qualifications. The academys reach goes far beyond a single class. Since 2015, CWC has offered 48 NRA-certified classes, covering everything from Basic Pistol and Home Firearm Safety to Defensive Pistol and Instructor-level certifications. Over 220 students have participated in these programs, with women making up 70% of attendeesnearly double the national average of female participation in firearms training. This milestone was further highlighted in 2024 when three women achieved NRA Basic Pistol Instructor certification through CWCs program, bolstering female representation in the firearms training community. The Rocky Mountain Justice Academy also offers NRA Concealed Carry (CCW) courses intended for shooters of all experience levels. Classes are conducted both in the classroom and on the range, with NRA-certified instructors guiding students through essential skills like drawing from a holster, engaging targets under time pressure, and making sound judgment calls in defensive scenarios. CWC provides access to institutional firearms, including Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm EZ pistols and Ruger 22/45 models, ensuring students can train even if they do not own their own firearms. Mark Nordeen, Dean of Liberal Arts & Agriculture at CWC, praised the programs holistic approach, stating that firearm education is treated as both a constitutional responsibility and a public safety priority. He emphasized the integration of advanced simulation tools, such as the Virtual Firearms Training System, which allow students to practice decision-making and accuracy in controlled, scenario-based environments. The RMJA also ties into CWCs academic offerings, supporting both Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees with law enforcement tracks. Students receive instruction from practicing attorneys, police officers, and retired law enforcement professionals like Andy Hanson, Cody Myers, Jim Carey, and Mark McDonald, blending academic learning with practical skill-building.