Anthony Romanowski
I have been involved with firearms and shooting since I was 8 years old, in 1976. I started reloading ammunition around age 12, or 1980. Since I reload shotgun, rifle and handgun ammunition, I have a good understanding of how it operates both in its construction and its characteristics once it is fired. I have used my passion towards firearms to train others in the sport.
Starting in 1994, I became a NRA Certified Instructor. Shortly after, I became a Board Member and later the President of the Cedar Rod & Gun Club. I used my time there to start and organize a training team for the training of hundreds of people in the safe use of firearms. During my time as club president, I was the lead for planning and construction of a new pistol range and the expansion and improvement of the rifle range. I also planned and headed up dozens of shooting events over the course of several years. During this time, I became an IDPA Range Safety Officer.
In 1995, I joined the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office. I became a firearms instructor in 1998 and took over the program in 2015. I planned the training, set standards and organized all firearms training for the Law Enforcement and Corrections Divisions. As part of the training, I supervised other instructors in proper and safe training practices.
In 2008, my partner and I started a private company, Traverse City Firearms Fundamentals, for the training of civilians in the proper and safe use of firearms. I am now the owner and sole proprietor as of 2024.
In 2015, I was added to the firearms training staff at Northwestern Michigan College. I was tasked with training and keeping cadets safe during the training. In the spring of 2017, I took over the program. I currently run two academy firearms programs a year.
Training and Education
∙ NRA Certified Instructor since 1994 (Personal Protection Inside the Home, Home Firearm Safety, Rifle, Pistol, Shotgun)
∙ Police Officer/Detective start 1995, Retired 2025
∙ Police Firearms (MCOLES) Certified Instructor since 1998
∙ Grand Traverse County Chief Firearms Instructor 2011-2025
∙ MCOLES (Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards) Civilian Pistol Safety Training Course Instructor (CCW) Since 2001 #LE 128029
∙ Law Enforcement Active Shooter Emergency Response Train the Trainer certification.
∙ Critical Space Pistol Course from Handgun Combatives, LLC
∙ Northwestern Michigan College Police Academy Chief Firearms Instructor (Current)
∙ Certified Glock, Colt M-16/AR-15 and Sig Sauer P229 Armorer
∙ U.S. Marine Corps Infantry (0311) 4 years
∙ U.S. Marine Corps Presidential Honor Guard 2 years
∙ International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) Range Safety Officer
∙ National Rifle Association Endowment/Life Member Since 1992 ∙ Center Mass, Patrol Rifle Instructor
∙ Handgun Red dot instructor, National Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors Association Life Member
Expert Witness
2005 US District Court of Western Michigan, Case # 1:05-CR-11. People v. Aaron Moses Cobb III. Testify as Expert Witness on M-16-AR-15 rifle platform.
Grand Traverse County Prosecutor, Called as Prosecutor’s Expert Witness 86th Dist. Ct.
Consultant for civil litigation, insurance case involving a reported accidental shooting.