Business 1 on 1 with Gary Tucker

Gary Tucker, owner, Ventures Guns & Stuff LLC, 8535 Rivoli Road, Suite C, Bolingbroke, 478-992-9009.

How long have you been in business?: Tucker has been dealing with guns all his life. He started hunting with his father when he was 8 years old.

“But about 22 years ago, a friend of mine who was a gunsmith died, and I ended up with all his equipment and parts, so that put me in the business of gunsmithing.”

It was a part-time job until Tucker retired from his full-time business working on restaurant equipment. When the economy damaged his 401(k), Tucker decided in 2010 to open a brick and mortar store, and he not only repairs, modifies and refinishes all kinds of guns, he also sells them.

What do you like best about your job?: “Well, I like dealing with people -- we offer a service to people. ... We have a lot of ladies come in who have never held a gun in their life,” and he likes being able to help guide them to the right gun for their needs.

What is your specialty?: “As far as I know I’m the only in-house certified gunsmith in the Middle Georgia area. ... We work on all brands and models.”

What are your future plans?: Tucker said he would like to grow the business, and he’s currently training a man on the gunsmithing side of the business.

-- Linda S. Morris

This story was originally published November 9, 2014 at 10:21 PM with the headline "Business 1 on 1 with Gary Tucker ."