Jael Dawson

Founding Range Angel, NRA-certified Pistol & Rifle Instructor, Range Safety Officer

"I began shooting in my mid-20s. Some might say I was a late-bloomer to shooting sports. I became interested simply because it was a sport I enjoyed and I felt empowered by "range therapy". I was exposed to pistol, rifle, shotgun sports, as well as archery. Whether it was paper, 3D targets, or clay pigeons, it was satisfying to hit the targets. Those I missed - and there were many - were a learning experience. At the time, it wasn't a women's sport as it has become today. It was a few years before I felt more comfortable with firearms and joined the ranks of responsible firearms ownership. Firearm safety for my family was very important. I went to the shooting range at least once a month. Occasionally I would bring my children as well. They learned about firearm safety and how to operate the smaller caliber firearms. On a personal and professional level, training for self-defense and home defense has been the focus for several years. I feel a higher level of satisfaction when training others to become responsible firearms enthusiasts and take ownership of their own personal safety." - Jael

In 2010, Jael obtained RSO and Instructor certifications and began volunteering for the Lake City Shooting Range and Education Center, operated by the Missouri Department of Conservation. Since then, she has accumulated years of training and experience under her belt. Since April, 2013, she has organized a women's program at that range that introduces women to shooting sports. She managed a local firearm retail store with an indoor shooting range for two years and has built a positive reputation with many people in the firearms industry and shooting sports. 

Kelly D.

Range Assistant

Kelly has been a firearms and shooting sports enthusiast for over 55 years. He began shooting NRA 50-foot .22 matches at 10 years of age, and took up pistol and high-power rifle shooting by the age of 13. After four years of competitive skeet shooting, he took up sporting clays, and has competed in several state, regional, and national-level sporting clays events. He also wrote regional event features, shooter profiles, and product roundup features for Sporting Clays Magazine from 2007 until 2015. Kelly retired from the United States Army in 2017 after almost 42 years of combined active duty and civilian service, including 17 years of overseas duty. He is a strong advocate of encouraging ladies and youngsters to learn firearms safety, and to get involved in the shooting sports, both for self-defense and the pure enjoyment of target shooting. Kelly assists with creating training, identifying potential clients, as well as promoting shooting sports with new shooters.

Larry M.

Range Assistant

Larry has been involved with firearms since accompanying his Dad hunting antelope from the age of 10. At age 12, in 1960, he obtained his first firearm through the Boy Scouts of America’s Boys Life magazine by selling Christmas cards and earning enough prize points for a Marlin .22. At Christmas 1962, Larry’s parents gave him a 20 gauge shotgun. He became an avid rabbit, pheasant and prairie dog hunter with his Dad and brother. With high school buddies, he earned 25 cents each harvesting jack rabbits for a local mink farmer who used them to feed his minks. At age 15 Larry purchased his first centerfire rifle, a surplus French Army rifle, and harvested his first mule deer. Two years later he purchased a Pre-64 Model 70 Winchester and took his second mulie. In 1967, Larry joined the U.S. Army and qualified as an Expert with the M14 service rifle. After training in military intelligence, Larry was sent to Vietnam where he served for over 29 months and qualified on the the M16, M3 submachine gun, 1911 pistol and unusually, the BAR. In 1972, Larry was assigned to Fort Devens, Mass and became a member of the post pistol team competing at the Field Army level. In 1982, Larry was appointed as a US Army Counter-intelligence Special Agent. In his off-duty time he became involved in handgun silhouette completion through the NRA and the International Handgun Metallic Silhouette Association (IHMSA). Also interested in rifle shooting, Larry competed in the 1988 High Power Rifle Silhouette Nationals at NRA Whittington Center (NRAWC). While serving for over 45 year of combined active duty and civilian service Larry continued in handgun competition, trained hundreds of Soldiers, Army civilians, and while assigned to the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, other law enforcement officers in handgun shooting and became active in the shotgun clay target sports. Larry is an avid ammunition hand loader and is a Patriot level Life member of NRA, certified NRA Range Safety Officer, Pioneer level Life member at NRAWC, Life member of IHMSA, and volunteer at a local gun club range as well as assisting Range Angels at range events. Encouraging new shooters and setting an example in his personal life and career, Larry loves seeing new firearms enthusiasts, shooters, both recreational and competitive.

Rick G.

Range Assistant

Rick was introduced to shooting when he was 10 years old at a neighbors range using his neighbor’s .22LR rifle. After this introduction, he continued shooting and grew to shooting  competitively in High School and College before being commissioned in the US Army in 1969. He served as an Engineer officer in units, commanding at all levels from Captain to Colonel retiring in 1995. After his retirement from the Army, he stepped away from shooting while concentrating on his second career in Engineering and construction. Ten years later, he returned to shooting sports, concentrated on pistol shooting, and more recently rekindling his passion for rifle shooting. He continues to train regularly to hone his personal shooting skills and has encouraged his wife and other women to join the ranks of shooters in order to become more self-reliant and aware of their surroundings.  With Rick’s background and family dynamics, he sees the importance of women becoming comfortable and experienced in shooting sports as well as training to defend themselves if the need should ever arise. Rick serves as a Range Assistant for Range Angels in arranging shooting activities and procurement of ammunition, and accessories. Staying abreast with the latest firearms in the industry allows him to provide up-to-date information to customers of Range Angels LLC.