Apex Tactical Response aims to provide training and information on being prepared for a violent situation. | Photo courtesy of Tima Miroshnichenko
BY KARIN DAVIS-THOMPSON | Staff Writer
ST. PETERSBURG — Jonathan Boozy’s line of work has meant encountering violence regularly over the years. He said victims often aren’t prepared because they think it could never happen to them. He wanted to do something to change that, to find a way to train people to understand the importance of being prepared.
“Violence is everywhere,” Boozy explained. “It’s important for people to know how to protect themselves and their loved ones.”
His desire to help everyday citizens led him to start Apex Tactical Response. The company aims to provide training and information on being prepared for a violent situation.
The company provides handgun training, concealed weapons permit courses, rifle training, and, in the coming months, training in permitless carry.
Jonathan Boozy
“We will go over what [permitless carry] really means, including what you can do and what you can’t do,” Boozy said.
The 35-year-old works with local gun ranges to book time for classes and time to help clients get more comfortable with holding and using a handgun.
“It’s important that people understand the law and the knowledge they need to carry a firearm,” he asserted. “Then there is sometimes a lot of hands-on firearm handling, helping them get more comfortable and feel more familiar.”
Along with firearm training and courses, Apex Tactical Response provides security training for people interested in becoming a security officer.
“We provide training to get the D license, which is without being armed, and the G license, which is an armed security guard,” the entrepreneur said.
Since starting his business nearly two years ago, Boozy estimates that he has assisted more than 100 people in how to be prepared if violence strikes, and so far, the most rewarding part of his business is the chance to help people.
“I come from a long line of educators, and this is just my way of teaching people,” Boozy stated. “It’s just a way to do something that I am passionate about, seeing someone go from being terrified of guns to wanting to know when they can go to the gun range again. It’s when they realize they are doing something to better themselves.”
But while there has been a lot of reward with the business, there have been a few challenges, too.
“It was tough learning what I needed to know,” Boozy stated. “This is a pretty specific business; it’s a bit different. There’s more training needed, more insurance, the laws, regulations, having a limited liability corporation, tax issues, and being in compliance. It was a lot of information.”
He said if he had to advise anyone starting a business, no matter the type, it would be to prioritize networking.
“It’s about putting yourself in the right circles,” Boozy said.
And while most of his clients have been in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties, Boozy has gotten interest outside the Tampa Bay area. Since his business is mobile, he will travel beyond the Bay and hopes to turn Apex Tactical Response into a franchise one day.
To learn more about Apex Tactical Response, check out its Instagram or email Jonathan Boozy at apextacticalresponse@gmail.com
