Maricopa business aims to ‘arm America’

Alyssa Turner-Petersen is a firm believer in the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which mandates that “the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”

A firearms safety instructor and CCW instructor since 2005, Turner-Petersen has expanded her Maricopa home business this year to include sales of guns and other personal protection devices.

Turner-Peterson said the aim of her enterprise, Arizona Personal Protection and Firearms Sales LLC, is to help keep law-abiding people safe against the threat of criminal attack.

“When I interviewed with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, I told them that I was going to get firearms into every qualified hand I possibly could and keep them out of the hands of the people that shouldn’t have them,” Turner-Petersen said.

Turner-Petersen is selling firearms on a per-order basis, meaning that she does not stock guns and other weapons. When a customer contacts her to purchase a firearm, Turner-Petersen finds the best price, conducts the requisite background check and arranges to have the item delivered. Customers can pick up their purchases within a few days.

“I told a friend the other day about how inexpensively I am selling firearms, and he said, ‘Aly, you’re not out to get rich. You’re out to arm America,’” Turner-Petersen said. “And I said, ‘Exactly – starting with Maricopa and Casa Grande.’”

In addition to firearms, Turner-Petersen sells other personal protection apparatus such as Tasers and a $9.95 device called the Honey Comb, which looks like a hairbrush but contains a dagger.

Q & A with Alyssa Turner-Petersen

How long have you operated your business in Maricopa? I began selling firearms on Jan. 4. I have been a firearms instructor since 2005.

How long have you been in the field overall? You might say for my entire life. I was the proverbial “tomboy” who started shooting and hunting very young in Minnesota. I started up a firearms education business after being with (former Pinal County Sheriff) Roger Vanderpool’s Posse.

How would you describe your business? I think of what I do as “empowering Americans.”

Why did you choose to open a business in Maricopa? Maricopa/Casa Grande needs a gun shop, not more pawnshops.

Why should someone frequent your business instead of a competitor? My goal is to educate and get firearms into every qualified hand as inexpensively as possible, and thus enable people to protect themselves and their families.

Where do you see your business in five years? With at least five employees, a downtown storefront and a training facility/public range.

What is the best business advice you have ever received? I was told several years ago by a merchant on Mill Avenue, “Keep your prices low and make it up in volume.” I still believe that is the way to do business.

What are the biggest challenges ahead for you and your company? I am trying to do everything loan-free. Building a business without loans is a challenge.

How many employees do you have? Currently just myself.

Is your business creating jobs in Maricopa? I plan to have at least one employee by the end of 2011. When I start selling at gun shows, I will need at least two other people.

How many units do you sell? In the week prior to officially opening the doors, I had already received five new gun orders. I teach handgun safety and CCW classes at least two weekends a month.

At a glance
Business: Arizona Personal Protection and Firearms Sales LLC
Location: Maricopa
Owner/manager: Alyssa Turner-Petersen
Hours: By appointment.
Telephone: 520-424-5191
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.ArizonaPersonalProtection.com

Photo by Tom Kessler