Introducing Guns for Gunz
We trade violence for a skill and give young men a trade to keep for life.
We meet young men where they are, take the firearm off the street, and hand them a mentor, a toolbelt, and a credential employers hire on.
We meet young men where they are,
take the firearm off the street, and hand them
a mentor, a
toolbelt, and a credential that hires.
The Man Behind The Mask
Every gun turned in and every hull coated runs through one person who has spent his career in the blast pot and the spray booth.
Cleon Lockett is a professional painter with over 30 years of experience on new construction, overhaul carriers, and submarines. Sandblasting, coatings, spraying large compartments, steel work, rigging, and confined-space tank work — he came up on the tools and he still suits up alongside the crew.
Dynamic, creative, and proactive, he leads daily job assignments under challenging conditions with 30+ years of shipbuilding experience in the marine industrial trade. Guns for Gunz started with a simple trade: pick up a spray gun, and get taught the trade the right way.
We meet young men where they are and provide them an opportunity with a mentor, a toolbelt, and a lifelong credential.
AMP United LLC, Norfolk
Paint / Sprayer / Blaster
Spraying large components on new construction, overhaul carriers and submarines; brush & roll, nonskid, rigging, carpentry, steel fabrication, water blasting.
Tidewater Staffing, Virginia Beach
Paint / Sprayer
Brush & roll paint, spraying, blasting.
Advanced Marine Preservation, Norfolk
Paint / Sprayer
Led production projects and team coordination, daily progress reporting, fast turnarounds without compromising quality.
Ameri-Force, Portsmouth
Painter-2 Trade Specialist
Spraying large compartments, power tooling, high-psi pressure washing, confined-space tank work and inspections, material handling.
“The Guns for Gunz initiative… we’re more than just another company. We are here to help give second chances to those individuals who have fallen short in some areas of their life and just simply want to pick themselves back up. We’re here for you. Learn a trade today. I’ll trade you a gun for a Gun.”
“Choose your path well, because one of these will land you in the penitentiary, and one will help take care of your family forever. Choose wisely.”
— Cleon Lockett, Guns for GunzThis is an example of the impact of training in an onboard Guns for Gunz Initiative marine ship program
One hull. Many fresh starts.
Our flagship onboard skills marine ship program project is where program participants put their training to work. Under professional supervision, crews are restoring a working vessel from rusted steel to a protected, seaworthy finish. The skills we teach lead to real infrastructure, real paychecks, and real pride.
Fact Sheet
Guns for Gunz Initiative, at a glance.
Newport News, VA
Community-driven volunteer trade program built by working tradesmen.
Hampton Roads Region
Serving Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach.
Trade Violence for Craft
Voluntary trade program paired with paid skill trade training and mentorship.
Marine Spray & Coatings
Spray gun fundamentals, surface prep, safety certification, and job placement.
Young Men, Ages 16+
Paired one-on-one with a mentor, a toolbelt, and a lifelong credential.
(757) 927-1953
Reach Founder Cleon Lockett directly to ask about the next cohort.