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Keith E. Campbell
Owner / President / Chief Instructor
Keith was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. He founded COMMENCE FIRE in 2004 with the onset of the Concealed Handgun License Law (House Bill 12) that allowed civilian personnel to obtain permits. 
Keith comes from a long line of law enforcement officers and military personnel (third generation). He entered the U.S. Coast Guard in 1988 and gained valuable experience as a Federal Law Enforcement Officer and Boat Operator. During his tenure he was fortunate enough to attend numerous training courses to include Small Arms Instructor.
In 1997 Keith was Honorably Discharged from active duty and is still a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve. At this same time Keith became an officer with the Cleveland Police Department. Keith was initially assigned to the Third District where he worked Basic Patrol and federally funded units. During this time period he was involved in a deadly force situation necessitating the use of his firearm.
 In 2003 Keith was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Upon his promotion he was reassigned to the Fourth District. In 2005 he was reassigned to the Justice Center where he is still currently assigned as an investigator.
He has 12 years experience as a Firearms Instructor with the U.S. Coast Guard. He has taught thousands of people how to use their handguns, shotguns and rifles SAFELY and EFFECTIVELY. In 2004 he received his Ohio Peace Officer's Training Commission (OPOTC) firearms instructor certification. 
Throughout his military and police career Keith has continued to advance his knowledge of teaching firearms and he is willing to pass that knowledge and experience on to you!
Keith specializes in assisting shooters (especially beginners) with marksmanship skills and techniques.
He believes in giving the student all the knowledge and skills they need to become expert shooters.
He guarantees that your training will be thorough, practical and well above the minimum requirements!
Scott Goss
Instructor
 Scott is one of our instructors here at COMMENCE FIRE. He is a Small Arms Instructor with the U.S. Coast Guard. 
Scott was born in Ripley Tennessee and was raised in Bald Knob Arkansas. He entered the U.S. Coast Guard 3 months after high school in July of 1994. He was promoted to Gunners Mate in 1996 and attended Small Arms Instructor School in 1999.
After 11 years active duty Scott was honorably discharged and joined the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve. He is presently serving with the Port Security Unit 309 at Camp Perry.
In the civilian world Scott is presently an Armed Guard for Dunbar and operates armored vehicles.
John (J.T.) Kurtz Jr.
Instructor
J.T. is also one of our instructors here at COMMENCE FIRE. He is an Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission (OPOTC) certified firearms instructor. 
J.T. was born in August of 1971 in Cleveland, Ohio to John and Laura Kurtz. John grew up in Independence and attended all parochial schools, graduating from Padua Franciscan HS in 1989, went on to join the Army from 1989 to 1992, participating in Operation Desert Shield/Storm with Charlie Company, 27th Engineer Battalion (COMBAT) (AIRBORNE). From 1994 to 1999 he worked for his family's construction company (Kurtz Bros. Inc.) operating heavy equipment and learning how to operate a business. He is currently employed by the Independence Police Department which is a suburb of Cleveland Ohio. John was hired in May of 1999 and holds the rank of Sergeant/Field Training Officer (FTO). John is also a member of the Independence Police Honor Guard.
J.T. is also the owner and president of Law Enforcement Officer's Shooting Supply, LLC. COMMENCE FIRE highly recommends LEOSS for all of your firearms needs, no matter what they may be. Don't let the name fool you, J.T. sells to civilians also as long as what you are requesting is not law enforcement specific. J.T.'s moto is "If we can't offer you a product at the lowest possible price, I will tell you where you can buy it cheaper!"
Ronald G. Campbell
Range Safety Officer
Ron is Keith's father. He has many years of experience with handling firearms. 
He is a second generation Law Enforcement Officer, and Military Veteran. He is currently a Deputy Sheriff with the  Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office, since 1994, a retired Sergeant with the Cleveland Police Department, with 29 years of service, and a retired Master Chief Petty Officer with the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve with 41 ½ years of service. Many of those years with the U.S. Coast Guard Ron served as a Range Coach.
His father, Donald, retired as the Chief of Police in upstate New York with 25 years of service. His twin brother, Don, is a retired California Highway Patrolman with 36 years of service.
Ron has been an active hunter for more than 50 years, enjoying the time with family members who share his love of outdoors.
Kevin M. Campbell
Range Safety Officer
 Kevin is Keith's older brother and is affectionately known as "Tackleberry" due to his many years of experience with handling all types of firearms. He is an avid hunter with compound bows, muzzleloaders, handguns, shotguns and rifles.
Kevin was also born and raised in Cleveland Ohio and entered the U.S. Coast Guard after high school. Unfortunately he received a medical retirement only after several years.
Upon his departure from the U.S. Coast Guard, Kevin was employed by the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office. He was a Correctional Officer for 9 months before becoming a Deputy Sheriff in 1991. He currently holds the rank of sergeant.
During his tenure as a Deputy Kevin has been assigned to numerous different units consisting of, but not limited to the Detective Bureau and K-9 Unit.
Brian J. Campbell
Range Safety Officer
Brian is Keith's younger brother. Although he is not a Law Enforcement Officer he has  still been involved with firearms his entire life. He had no choice with a family full of police officers. Also born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Brian was employed by the Cleveland Water Department right out of high school. He is currently a Unit Leader out of the Nottingham Water Treatment Plant.
When Keith founded COMMENCE FIRE, Brian successfully completed all of the available courses and is currently a Concealed Handgun License holder. After three years and countless training sessions Brian has proven himself to be a competent Range Safety Officer.
Look at Our Facility or our Advanced Classes Slide shows!
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Comments
FIGHTING VIOLENCE WITH
FIGHTING VIOLENCE WITH VIOLENCE ISN'T THE ANSWER.
"Fighting violence with
"Fighting violence with violence isn't the answer." That statement leads me, and I'd think others, to think you're suggesting that CCW permits equate to violence. Fortunately, that couldn't be further from the truth. CCW permit holders help REDUCE the amount of crime and violence. In a city plagued with vandalism, car thefts, copper thefts, and sometimes even armed robberies, we need all the help we can get.
I'd encourage everyone to get educated on the CCW issue, rather than being misled by erroneous and misleading "anti-violence" propaganda. CCW permits, or CCW training classes, do not mean violence. Being trained in or applying for a CCW permit does NOT automatically mean you're pro-gun. It simply means that you'll be educated on the proper use and laws of concealed weapons. It also makes thieves think twice before attacking.
You do what you like to do, and I'll do what I like to do, as long as we don't infringe on each others rights, we should be okay.
Michelle, Did you see
Michelle,
Did you see today's (Sunday) Plain Dealer front page? "FORECLOSED HOMES USED TO STASH GUNS, DRUGS
by John Canigila
The
leaders of a robbery team that terrorized TREMONT businesses last fall
made sure they never lacked access to firepower" I have to ask WHICH
BUSINESSES were TERRORIZED??? What the HELL is this guy talking
about???
We have been in TREMONT for more than 5 years. Maybe
we have been lucky? I don't know? We have never been Robbed. I don't
know of other businesses in the neighborhood being Robbed? I don't
think I'm naive? This kind of publicity is something that we don't
need in the neighborhood!
It's time to start promoting Tremont once again! Don't you think??? The organization you work for gets grant money - our
tax dollars- DO SOMETHING TO PROMOTE TREMONT in a POSITIVE WAY!!! PLEASE!!!
Phil All of these guys are
Phil All of these guys are fat and out of shape, NO wonder they need to use guns - they can't run, they can't fight!
Hugs . . .
I do not understand how CCW
I do not understand how CCW permits are not a violent solution. Just because they may reduce violence doesn't mean that they are not violent in nature. In any conflict, there are violent and non-violent resolutions. Even if a shot is never fired, if crime is reduced because potential perpetrators are afraid of acts against them, that is resolution by force. That is a violent resolution.
I do not intend to take away any rights to carry firearms or become educated on their use. But this is without doubt a violent resolution.
A CCW permit allows a law
A CCW permit allows a law abiding citizen who has passed a background check and has had the proper training the privilege to carry a gun. A CCW holder only has the right to when they have met three conditions. 1) They cannot be at fault of creating the situation. 2) Reasonable belief of danger. 3) Duty to retreat.If you can run away you cannot use your gun. When you cannot run away you do not have the immediate right to start shooting. If the other person is half your size and has no weapon you cannot use a gun. There are hundreds of situations and part of proper training is knowing how to avoid these situations and stop the escalation before you have to use your firearm. There are several good books on how to mentally prepare yourself for a violent encounters and what steps to take if you are in a bad situation. No one with a CCW permit should want to shoot someone and no questions asked, it is a last ditch effort to defend your life. While you cannot guarantee every CCW will take it as seriously as they should you do have minimum training requirements and recertification to help the process. You should not fight violence with violence but you should fight it with the proper training and mental preparation then be ready to defend your life if you have to.
Again, I still say this is
Again, I still say this is fighting violence with violence. To avoid that route is extremely difficult and, sadly, unlikely today. It involves changes within the community that will decrease the incidences of people wanting to harm others for money. It involves confronting these issues head on, directly, as a community. At the source. Learning and understanding what it means to undergo a violent interchange is important--especially if you live in an urban setting. But if you choose to participate in a program whose goal is to lessen violence either through its very presence or by intimidation, that is fighting violence with violence.
Sure, in a perfect world,
Sure, in a perfect world, I'd agree with you 100%. Violence, and guns, are bad... bad, bad! Unfortunatley, it's not up to me and you, it's up to the criminals. Whether a weapon... or any violence... is used against a criminal is not our choice.
From a philosophical view, I agree with you that the underlying premise and ideology as we move forward, as a city and society, should certainly focus on being non-violent. However, in the meantime, what do you suggest we do to protect and defend ourselves from violent criminals? Are you suggesting we simply lay down and let them hurt us, without using violence? Maybe yell "don't do that" at the criminal while they're hurting us, give them a sucker?
No disrespect intended and not speaking specifically about anyone on this forum, but I feel this is the single biggest obstacle we have against fighting crime in our fine city: the naive candy ass "socker moms and dads" who won't admit we're at war here in our own country, with criminals, and think we'll be okay as we are, who think we don't need any more police (don't police use violence, too?), who think there is no need for a law abiding citizen to carry a weapon. Look out your window, take a walk, talk to some neighbors... violent crimes, burglury, robbery, it's happening unchecked all around us. And laws only apply to law abiding citizens.
Again, I'm not saying violence is the answer. It's not. Violence is the response. The criminals choose that response. They could stop being violent against inocent people themselves, and then they would never receive a violence response. I'm not suggesting concealed weapons are the solution for everyone or even necessary. You do what you like, but by golly, I know one thing for sure: I'm going to protect myself, my family, and anyone else I happen to be around, or I'm going to die trying.
pavarini: While I am not a
pavarini: While I am not a fan of guns and violence, I never really said that in my posts. It's difficult for me to stand here and say that guns are a poor choice in fighting crime because I know that right now they are the most effective way. My main point was at least to get us all to recognize that any solution tied to firearms IS a violent solution. It looks like you (as I often do myself) assumed that because
you believed in the truth, effectiveness, and safety of an idea, that it cannot have anything to do with violence.
I really don't know how we're supposed to solve these problems nonviolently, but I do believe we're supposed to do it. I really don't want to get lofty or extreme here, but when you look at successful nonviolent movements,
they have won at the expense of lost lives and broken bones. But many have won.
I think violence starts a self-destructive cycle. That anyone wishing to harm another, really has little respect for
their own life, and harming or incarcerating them (under our current system) helps to achieve their goal. In responding to that person with violence, we are obliging their desire to kill themselves. And I'm not just talking (or talking much at all) about CCW permit holders, but most common responses to violence.
In this sense as well as in the broader case of oppression, I never stop thinking about what Gandhi said (via the 1982 film on his life): "They may torture my body, break my bones, even kill me, then they will have my dead body. NOT MY OBEDIENCE!"
I'm not sure what the best way is to figure all this out. But I'm pretty sure the first step is talking about it. So thank you. :)
Dave, What non-violent
Dave,
What non-violent movements do you know of? I know of 2: the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's and Ghandi's. While Dr. King advocated non-violence, another voice, that of Malcolm X, preached self-defense. Also, I think you could debate how successful the Civil Rights Movement was. Yes, blacks have been afforded equal rights in the eyes of the law. But let's be honest, there sure isn't equality in our society.
With India, yes, Ghandi was successful in expelling the British. But one cannot deny that Great Britain was scaling back on all of its imperialist endeavors. Also, let's not forget the war that India waged against Pakistan following independence.