ABOUT YOUR EXPERT GUEST, LENDEN EAKIN:
GUN DEALER
Federal Firearms License (FFL) Dealer, with Class 3 Special Occupational Tax (SOT) stamp in Roanoke, Virginia; Licensed dealer since 1987; 40 years experience buying, selling and trading firearms and working gun shows.
NRA INSTRUCTOR
National Rifle Association (NRA) Firearms Instructor since 1994; Current certification in Rifle, Pistol, Shotgun and Personal Protection; Lead instructor for scheduled classes for Basic Pistol and Basic Rifle; Please inquire if interested in attending.
Hunter Education Instructor
Virginia Hunter Education Instructor since 1996; Advance Certification in Rifle, Shotgun and Ethics; Currently on the faculty for the Roanoke City classes.
Recent Training
Practical Tactical Training Courses from Pat Goodale at Professional Firearms Training (PFT), including Precision Rifle, Tactical Rifle, Defensive Shotgun, Handgun I and Handgun II. Tactical Rifle at Frontsight in Nevada. Classes and seminars on Class 3 issues at the Shot Show, SAR shows, Knob Creek and SAR Convention in Las Vegas.
Attorney at Law
Attorney with, and President of the Law Firm of Ferris, Eakin & Thomas, P.C. in Roanoke, Virginia; Firearms related representation included the New York City civil suits against Virginia dealers, ATF&E and Virginia State Police dealer issues, firearms failure and ammunition defects resulting in injury, and consultation on criminal cases with a firearms component. Law practice covers estate planning and estate administration for firearms collection and dealer inventories, including Class 3; cases handled include many where personal injury or death is caused by firearms, vehicles or other instrumentation.
Military
U.S. Army and Virginia Army National Guard. Experience included M-16 Range Officer for an Infantry Battalion at Fort Bragg, Fort Pickett and Fort AP Hill; Qualified “Expert” with rifle (15 times) and pistol (twice). Fired Browning .50 MG, M-60 MG, M-16 on full automatic, 105 MM guns, 82 MM Mortars, LAWs, claymores and other weapons while on active duty, mostly with the 29th Infantry Division.
Organizations
Professional Gun Retailers Association, National Firearms Act Trade and Collection Association, National Rifle Association, Roanoke Rifle and Revolver Club, Franklin County Gun Club, Arrowhead Hunt Club, American Bar Association, Virginia Bar Association and 116th Infantry Regiment.
Education
Virginia Tech MBA program (no degree), University of Richmond School of Law (J.D. 1984), College of William and Mary (B.B.A. 1979), U.S. Army Reserve Officer Training, Officer Basic and Officer Advance courses. Many and various seminars, courses and classes related to firearms and continuing legal education.
Family
Parents live in Roanoke County; Father is a retired Virginia State Trooper. He was a national champion match shooter on the State Police pistol team, a firearms instructor and member of its first sniper team (SWAT predecessor). Mother is a retired Veterans Administration Nurse. Wife, Kimberly, was also a national champion match pistol shooter, with the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit. She now has her own business, Wine Gourmet, in Roanoke, Virginia. Kimberly serves as a Marksmanship instructor in the U.S. Army Reserve. Lenden and Kimberly have two children, Mariah and Nathan, both preschool age.
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