About Chuck's Guns
We do more than sell firearms—we uphold a legacy. Named in honor of our grandfather, Chuck Mathena, our family-owned store was founded in 2022 with deep roots in service, integrity, and expertise.
What began as a commitment to high-quality firearms safety training quickly grew into something more. With limited options for knowledgeable, approachable gun shops in the area, we saw the need—and rose to meet it
Our father and son team brings decades of combined experience: a retired law enforcement officer with over 30 years as an armorer, instructor, SWAT team lead, and sniper, and a proud U.S. Marine Corps veteran dedicated to responsible ownership and education.
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SGT Daniel "Zeke" Mathena - ret.
Founder
[ NRA Certified Training Counselor ]
Certifications include the Connecticut Police Academy as; Police Firearms Instructor (since 1984), Shooting Decision Making, Less-lethal Munitions, SWAT Tactics (building/room clearing/searching, crowd control) additional certifications in the following:
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Smith & Wesson Academy, Springfield, Massachusetts – Armorer’s School
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Colt Firearms, West Hartford, Connecticut – Armorer’s School
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Beretta Firearms, Accokeek, Maryland – Armorer’s School
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Glock Firearms, Smyrna, Georgia – Armorer’s School
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Advanced Tactical Training in Hostage Rescue and Drug Raid Operations
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Certified State of Connecticut “Blue Card” Instructor for Armed Security Officers
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Certified State of Connecticut “Gold Card” Instructor for Bail Enforcement Agents
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Interstate Police Officers’ Association
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Certified Patrol K-9 Handler
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Certified Police Weapons Armorer
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Certified Police PR-24 Baton Instructor
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Certified Police Counter-Sniper
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Certified Scenario-Based Training & Simunitions Instructor
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Certified Less-Lethal Munitions Instructor (12ga. & 37mm delivery systems)
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Certified Instructor in Center-Axis-Relock (C.A.R.) tactical pistol
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FAA Licensed Helicopter Pilot
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Airborne Law Enforcement Association
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NRA Certified Chief Range Safety Officer
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NRA Certified Pistol Instructor
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NRA Certified Rifle Instructor
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NRA Training Counselor
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Jeff Mathena
[ Former Marine ]
[ NRA Certified Pistol & Rifle Instructor, NRA Certified Chief Range Safety Officer ]
Jeff is a former United States Marine. He served as an infantryman (0311) in Company C, 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, he carried the M-60 machine gun (7.62mm) and later the M249 SAW light machine gun (5.56mm). Maintained Expert Rifle qualification in marksmanship with the M16A2 (5.56mm).
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Marine Corps Recruit Depot – Parris Island, SC
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Marine Combat Training – Camp Geiger, NC
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Advanced School of Infantry – Camp Lejeune, NC
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Combined Arms Exercise (CAX) – Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC), Twentynine Palms, CA
​The Marine Corps' most advanced live-fire unit-level combined arms training program for ground and air fire support with maneuvers at the tactical level.
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NRA Certified Chief Range Safety Officer
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NRA Certified Pistol Instructor
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NRA Certified Rifle Instructor
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