For David Able, firearms instruction is more than a career—it’s a calling rooted in service, safety, and family tradition. A retired police officer with more than four decades of experience, Able now leads firearm training for Mid-Del Technology Center students through his family business, Shoot-N-Iron.
A Career in Service
Able began his law enforcement career in 1985 and retired just two years ago. Over the course of his career, he worked in nearly every corner of public safety. He served as a paramedic and EMT. He was a police officer before becoming a homicide detective with Del City’s Special Victims Unit. For 14 years, he handled some of the toughest cases—violent assaults, robberies, rapes, and homicides.
Those experiences shaped not only his professional outlook but also his teaching philosophy. “I’ve always strived to be professional,” he explains. “That’s what I want to pass on to my students: how to do the job right and how to stay alive while doing it.”
Teaching with Purpose
A CLEET-certified and NRA-certified firearms instructor, Able also teaches active shooter response and de-escalation techniques. He emphasizes that effective training goes beyond hitting a target. “It’s not just about teaching people to shoot,” he says. “It’s about preparing them to think faster, react under pressure, and make decisions that mean they get to go home at the end of the day.”
At Mid-Del Tech, Able sees a unique responsibility. Many of his students already work in environments where violence is a daily risk. He devotes extra time and energy to make sure they are prepared. “These kids want to be armed,” he says. “Some of them are already in jobs where homicides are a regular occurrence. I feel a duty to prepare them for more than just the basics.”
A Family Legacy
Shoot-N-Iron, the training company he now runs, was founded by his father in 1977. After his father’s passing, Able kept the business going as a way to honor that legacy. Law enforcement runs deep in the family: his father was a Sheriff, his grandfather a police officer, and his great-grandfather served as a U.S. Marshal when Oklahoma was still a territory.
“Carrying on Shoot-N-Iron wasn’t just about the business,” Able reflects. “It was about continuing something my dad believed in—giving people a safe and professional place to learn.”
Holding to a Higher Standard
Able’s passion for teaching is evident in every class. He says he feels “fortunate to have the opportunity to work with people” and believes that instructors have a responsibility to hold themselves to the highest standards. That’s especially true at Mid-Del Tech. “Teaching here keeps me sharp,” he explains. “It reminds me that my students deserve the very best training I can give them.”
Whether in the classroom or on the range, David Able’s approach is grounded in professionalism, passion, and care for those he instructs. For him, the work is never just about firearms—it’s about survival, responsibility, and ensuring that every student has the skills to make it home safely.