Jack Sheppard is approaching the one year anniversary of starting his dream job.

Last June, Sheppard opened the Aim Right Gun Shop at 3203 Hwy. 21 with two handguns and a gun cabinet. Now he has several display cases full of handguns and knives and racks of rifles and shotguns lining the walls. He also has a massive gun safe to keep everything locked up at night.

"I always wanted a gun shop," Sheppard said.

So far, the shop has supported itself, though Sheppard hasn't given himself a paycheck yet.

"Everything I make I put back into the shop," he said.

Since the Fort Mill Pawn Shop closed, Aim Right is the only place in this part of the township selling firearms, and business is going great, he said. Firearms are also sold at a shop in Van Wyck.

Helping to drive sales is the fact that Sheppard is also a certified concealed carry instructor, and many of his customers sign up for one of his monthly classes.

"With hand guns, the hot thing now is concealed carry," Sheppard said.

His day-long classes cost $75 per person, or $125 for couples. At the end of the day the students get a certificate of completion and are eligible to apply for a concealed carry permit from the state. Students are required to bring their own gun, ear and eye protection and ammo.

Sheppard also teaches armed security guard training classes.

For more information about classes being offered, stop by the shop or check Sheppard's Web site at www.aim-right.com. The concealed carry classes, which he limits to 25 students, are booked through May, but spaces in his summer classes are still available.

Aim Right also sells guns on consignment for customers, taking a 10 percent cut of the sale price. The gun owner must sign over the license on the gun to Sheppard to sell it. Sheppard will also buy guns outright from customers.

His inventory, which changes frequently, includes handguns ranging from $179 to $1,500. Long guns sell for up to $3,000 in some cases. Sheppard has some rare antique guns among his more modern stock as well.