About Us
Meet John P. Hays
Retired Law Enforcement Officer & Firearms Instructor
Experience
Who I Am
A Career Built on Protecting Others
I am a retired police officer and police firearms instructor with a career dedicated to public safety and security. With 27 years of experience in law enforcement and security, and 25 years serving as a police firearms instructor and armorer, I have developed a deep understanding of what it takes to stay safe in the real world.
I am passionate about personal safety and security, and I founded Hays Personal Defense LLC to share that knowledge with law-abiding citizens in Missouri who want to be proactive about protecting themselves and their families.
My background gives me a unique perspective — I can teach you not just the mechanics of firearm operation, but the mindset, the law, and the judgment that real-world situations demand.
Credentials
Experience You Can Rely On
A career built on protecting communities and upholding public safety.
Certified to train fellow officers — now bringing that expertise to civilians.
A real-world, officer's view of self-defense, use of force, and Missouri law.
Our Mission
Empowering Citizens Through Education
Hays Personal Defense LLC exists to educate law-abiding Missouri citizens about their rights, their responsibilities, and how to exercise both safely. Whether you're a first-time gun owner or someone looking to formalize your knowledge with a CCW endorsement, I'm here to guide you through the process with clarity and professionalism.
My classes cover everything from Missouri's use of force laws and conflict avoidance to firearm safety, storage, and basic shooting fundamentals. I believe that an informed, trained citizen is a safer citizen — and a safer community.
"I offer a law enforcement officer perspective on a citizen's right to defend themselves." — John P. Hays