Shady Oaks Gun Range
Firearms Instructor – Victoria Kogan

• NRA Certified Pistol Instructor since 2017
• Texas License to Carry (LTC) Instructor since 2018
• Affiliate for Right to Bear offering unlimited criminal & civil defense protection in today’s litigious society.
• Affiliate for Make Ready Range Wear offering precision gear that fits perfectly, enhances your performance, and boosts your confidence on the range. 

License to Carry

If you landed on this page looking to take the License to Carry class with me, first understand that you now have TWO OPTIONS. I’ve explained ALL THE DETAILS on our LTC Info Page so please check that out if you have questions! Remember the LTC Class (online or in-person) is ONLY for those who have a basic level of firearms proficiency. The LTC is not a handgun training class.

For the ONLINE LTC Class, follow these steps:

• FIRST: Complete the classroom portion of the Online LTC at OnlineTexasLTC.com/ShadyOaks at your own pace, in your own time.
• AFTERWARD: If you’re comfortable shooting independently in a group setting, sign-up for my Online LTC Range Class to complete the range portion with me in a class setting with up to 10 other people.
• OR: If you would like to complete the RANGE portion in a PRIVATE SESSION, book an appointment using the booking calendar at the bottom of this page.

For the IN-PERSON LTC Class, sign up for my License to Carry class which is generally offered once or twice a month. The in-person class is 6-hours which includes classroom presentation covering the same material as the online class and includes the range portion in a group setting with up to 10 other people.

My Shooting Journey:

The first time I was handed a pistol, I had absolutely no experience with firearms. With no warning, no instruction, and no ear & eye protection, I was given a handgun and challenged to take a shot. I aimed at the target, pulled the trigger, and simultaneously let out a startled scream as I was shocked by the sound and recoil. Others had a good laugh at my expense, but I will never forget the humiliation felt in that moment.

Twenty years passed before I was interested in firearms and finally purchased a handgun in 2012. When I became a gun owner, I didn’t realize it would start a journey that would add so much empowerment and joy to my life.  That path progressed into competition shooting where I found a warm and welcoming family, and I have been blessed with many friendships along the way!

In 2014, I began working at Shady Oaks Gun Range when they opened the doors on Day One.  I had the wonderful opportunity to watch it grow and expand in 2017. Although my professional background was mainly in accounting and office management, I soaked up a wealth of practical firearms knowledge at Shady Oaks Gun Range. This also put me on the path of becoming a pistol instructor in 2017 as I often found myself coaching basic firearms safety on the range.

In 2020, with a lot of changes that year, my full-time focus shifted. I scaled back to part-time availability at Shady Oaks Gun Range for lessons, classes and other administrative responsibilities.

As a woman who became interested in firearms “later in life,” I’m not your typical “Tactical Tammy” firearms instructor with a militant style or lifetime of gun experience. However, because I came into firearms “later in life,” I am acutely familiar with a lot of misinformation given to new firearm owners and to women particularly. It brings me joy to help others become competent and confident with a firearm as I learn and develop as a competitive shooter!

I love working with beginners and with people who may be intimidated by firearms. These are probably my favorite students. I am passionate about teaching others to be confident and competent at their own pace.  My goal is to equip students with a safety-first mindset while also developing confidence to the point where they are comfortable using the range on their own.  I also like to work with folks interested in getting started with pistol shooting sports and who wish to further develop their firearms proficiency. 

To book a private lesson or class with Victoria, select from options below.

Victoria is available on a part-time basis for lessons and classes.  Her availability is usually during weekday afternoons. Repeat students are welcome to contact Victoria directly for additional availability not posted here to the public.