This picture was originally published by the New York Daily News in 1936, a year after J. Edgar Hoover took the position as the Director of the newly formed FBI. For the 11 years prior to that, he was the director of the Justice Department's Bureau of Investigation. In researching this image, I have found no indication that he was aiming the gun at anyone. As you point out, he appears to be in a shooting range, which is a conclusion I concur with.
What is clear is that Hoover was a character, and reveled in his persona as crime's worst enemy. Thus, it is my educated guess that this picture is part of a photo opportunity to promote his crime-fighting agenda to the public and build up his image as a figure to be feared by criminals. Therefore, I conclude that your teacher is either misinformed or simply pulling your leg.
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