FIREARMS • SELF-DEFENSE • PREPAREDNESS

Firearms & Self-Defense Training Classes

Practical, hands-on firearms, self-defense and preparedness training for students of all experience levels. Explore upcoming courses at our private training facility near Culpeper, Virginia.

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Choose from firearms, concealed carry, home defense, personal safety and scenario-based training designed to build practical skills for real-world situations.

Person lying on the front passenger seat of a car, wearing headphones and a cap, looking at a smartphone, with the window rolled down and a grassy area outside.

This hands-on self-defense course focused on navigating conflicts or criminal encounters in and around vehicles.
Through live-fire exercises on the range and scenario-based training with your own vehicle, you'll gain practical skills to deter threats, stay safe, and, if necessary, prevail.
The course emphasizes concealed carry but also accommodates open carry, requiring 100 rounds for participation.

Two men at a shooting range, one aiming a pistol and the other observing, with trees and a wooden fence in the background on a sunny day.

Our flagship two-day course! This comprehensive self-defense course designed for individuals who understand that personal safety involves much more than carrying a firearm. It equips students with a holistic blend of soft and hard skills, including medical trauma response, pepper spray use, legal preparation, and conflict management.
Through an iterative approach, participants progressively build confidence and decision-making abilities, reinforced through drills and scenario-based exercises. The course emphasizes legal, moral, and situational considerations for using deadly force, with a focus on "when and where" rather than shooting techniques.
Open to those with prior training in safe firearm handling, this course requires 400 rounds of ammunition, a carry pistol, a quality holster, and related gear. Students receive training sprays and a live dispenser, ensuring a practical, well-rounded experience.

Six people lying on mats in a line outdoors, practicing yoga or stretching under a tree's shade, while a person stands nearby observing.

This eight-hour introductory class is perfect for beginners looking to build a solid foundation in the safe handling, operation, and marksmanship of military-style rifles, with a focus on the AR series.
Students will learn essential topics such as the cycle of operation, rifle nomenclature, ballistics, zeroing, shooting positions, and basic manipulation, all reinforced through hands-on exercises and graded marksmanship drills.
With small class sizes capped at ten shooters, each participant receives personalized attention to ensure proper skill development. Required equipment includes a sling-equipped rifle, at least 300 rounds of ammunition (30 rounds of M193 for the final drill), and basic range gear.
Optics are welcome—bring your manual for assistance. This course provides the perfect starting point for mastering rifle fundamentals in a practical, supportive environment.

Your rifle MUST be equipped with a sling! Bring dress for the weather and bring food and drink.

Group of people participating in a shooting or archery event outdoors, aiming at targets set up on stands, with trees and small shed in the background.

Pepper-spray is a highly useful tool for enforcing boundaries and diminishing attackers from a standoff distance. But like any other weapon, it has limitations on its use and application and is subject to legal scrutiny.
This course consists of a 2-hour video view ahead and one hour of practical application. The class includes two inert and one active pepper spray dispenser.
Students will NOT be exposed to live agents during this class.

A man at an outdoor shooting range practicing with a handgun, wearing hearing protection and sunglasses, pointing the gun with one arm extended, while another person is in the background also wearing hearing protection.

Concealed Carry Tactics is designed for students that already have a permit and are looking to expand their knowledge and skill sets in both shooting and into crucial but overlooked ancillary skills that allow them to understand and respond to a variety of situations.
This course consists of a 3-hour video view ahead and a full day of practical application. The class includes two inert and one active pepper spray dispenser.
Students will NOT be exposed to live agents during this class.
Explore Concealed Carry Training →

Group of people participating in an outdoor shooting or gun training event, standing in a line, aiming firearms at targets, with orange cones and marker stakes on gravel ground, autumn trees and buildings in the background.

This course is for the highly discriminating citizen that recognizes that self-defense is a serious and highly consequential undertaking. This program is scaled for beginners and advanced shooters alike, and far exceeds state mandated basic requirements. We will ensure that you're well-equipped to exercise your right to self-defense responsibly and, if necessary, effectively. The course consists of:
- 4 hours of pre-class video instruction
- 8 hours of hands-on range training at our private facility in Culpeper

Topics include: -Self-defense law -Pre-assault indicators -Firearm and equipment selection -Drawing from concealment -Judicious marksmanship -Post-incident legal interaction
No gun? No problem! We can fully equip you for only $25. 250 rounds ammunition required that is not included in the course or equipment rental fee.

This class FAR exceeds the Virginia requirements for a concealed handgun permit. Considering what is on the line, this class is your BEST value!
Learn more about our Concealed Carry Training →

Person adjusting a red strap or harness outdoors on a dirt or gravel path.

This course will equip individuals with the mindset and skills needed to adapt to challenging situations and societal friction. It focuses on lawful use of less lethal weapons, like pepper spray, to prevent interpersonal violence.
Combining pre-class video content with hands-on practical training, students will gain the essential experience to build resilience and survival strategies. “Stop the Bleed” and basic trauma training is integrated throughout the course.
The course includes two inert and one active pepper spray dispenser for training purposes. Students will not be exposed to live agents during the class.
Topics:
- Stop the Bleed
- Pepper Spray
- Understanding Speed
- Pre-Assault Indicators
- Proxemics
- Conflict Avoidance and De-escalation
- Pre-Decisions and Self-Defense
Perfect for those seeking to proactively enhance their personal safety and adaptability beyond basic concealed carry qualifications!

Two men at a shooting range, aiming a shotgun at a row of clay targets, with a cardboard cutout of a person in the background and a blue toy vehicle on the ground.

This home defense shotgun course is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to confidently use a shotgun for home defense.
Key topics include selecting and configuring a defensive shotgun, choosing the right ammunition, reliable loading and operation, shooting techniques, recoil management, and patterning.
By the end of the course, you'll demonstrate proficiency in handling, loading, and accurate shooting at typical home defense distances, culminating in a shotgun qualification course.
Students will need 150 rounds of birdshot and 50 rounds of buckshot, with loaner shotguns and affordable ammunition options available. Perfect for anyone seeking practical, hands-on training to enhance their home defense strategy.
Explore Home Defense Training →

A person aiming a shotgun at a shooting range. The individual is wearing a baseball cap, headphones, and sunglasses, and is in a kneeling position with the firearm aimed forward.

This advanced course designed for those ready to build on the fundamentals learned in Home Defense Shotgun.
This class focuses on enhancing speed and accuracy with a shotgun, tackling both single and complex multiple-target scenarios, and mastering competitive timed shooting. Additional topics include slug application, operating in close quarters, and navigating corners with a long gun.
The day concludes with an abbreviated slug and buckshot qualification inspired by law enforcement standards.
Students will need a minimum of 125 rounds of birdshot, 125 rounds of buckshot, and 25 slugs, with extra birdshot recommended. Perfect for students eager to elevate their shotgun performance and tactical skills.
NO STEEL SHOT ALLOWED!

People participating in a shooting practice at an outdoor gun range, aiming at targets placed along a gravel path with a wooded backdrop.

A two hour “touch up” to gain new skills or hone existing ones. Each seminar will cover foundational skills, then branch into a different context, such as unconventional positions, deep concealment, multiple targets, etc.
Explore Defensive Pistol Training →

Poster for Citizen-Defender Sanctuary Security Team Member training, including details about skills, venues, and the pledge, with images of a security guard's hand holding a gun and a firearm on a table.

Violence against worshiping congregations has become an unfortunate part of modern religion. Citizen-Defender’s Sanctuary Security course provides an understanding of the threats religious centers face as well as the knowledge, skills and experience required to protect parishioners against these incursions. This end state is achieved by using a proven combination of virtual and resident training at our private facility in Culpeper.
Individual skills
Legal use of the application of force, weapon and equipment selection, concealment techniques, interview techniques, pepper spray employment, concealed draw stroke, advanced weapons handling, armed movement, discriminate marksmanship, disadvantaged shooting positions, stop the bleed

Team Skills
Collaborative non-lethal and lethal tactics, law enforcement interaction, live fire scenarios

Four hours video “view ahead” and eight full hours on the range. 300 rounds required. Students will need eye and ear protection, food and drink and appropriate dress for the range, along with their pistol, 3 magazines, eye and ear protection, etc.

A person running on a sidewalk near a pole.

This course is for the experienced defender preparing for the “low likelihood, very high impact” event to interrupt mass violence against society. Skills will be:
- Distance Shooting
- Movement
- Fighting from Cover
- Multiple Targets
- Multiple Moving Targets
Requirements: 300 rounds, handgun, holster, 3 magazines. Appropriate dress, food, and drink for the day.

Man at a shooting range aiming a handgun, wearing ear protection, eye protection, and a cap with American flag patch.

This course is designed to meet the specific needs of private citizens and/or off-duty law enforcement officers carrying concealed handguns for defense. While this is the most common context of concealed carry, current events and trends have required another look at the realities of deploying those weapons in public settings. Also, since we are using these guns in public without the benefit of Rule 4’s backstops, bystander control and easy sized targets, these new norms require performance in extremis that few organizations or training courses provide (and often teach responses in direct conflict with real world needs). In summary, Rule 4, so easily applied and often placed in our collective comfort zone at the range, looms huge in a street encounter. Cost is $425 plus $50 range fee that will be collected at the start of the class.

Equipment requirements:
Your daily concealed carry handgun: .380/9mm or larger, with preference to real world carry and shootable pistols: Glock 43X/48, Sig 365 family, S&W Shield, Glock 19, etc. – Please don’t bring a “magic range pistol”
 IWB/AIWB/OWB concealment holster, mag pouch(es), belt and concealment garments
 Three or more magazines
 500 rounds of quality ammo
 Eye and Ear Protection – electronic ear pro preferred
 Ball Cap
 Personal comfort items: sunscreen, bandaids, snacks and water or sports drinks
 At least three printer produced 8.5 X 11 color photos of the faces of loved ones
 One or two old, dark colored shirts (men’s if possible)

COST INCLUDES $60 range fee that will be paid at the start of the class.

Register here!

A man with a gray beard, wearing a beige cap, sunglasses, and hearing protection, aiming a handgun in a shooting range.

This eight hour course provides both hard “technical” skills and an understanding of securing a home while equipped with a handgun. Topics will be:
Intelligence
Hardening the home
Warning
Lights and lighting
Involving the family
Cost is $250, and 200 rounds required.
Explore Home Defense Training →

Multiple revolvers placed on a weathered wooden surface.

Learn how to select, set up, shoot, operate, and maintain a revolver for personal defense or field use.
250 rounds, plus eye and ear protection. Food and drink for the day. Speed loaders highly recommended.

A man, wearing glasses and a suit, speaking in a courtroom with a judge's robe and flag in the background.

A two-day, 20-hour immersion course in rules of engagement for armed law-abiding private citizens, emphasizing legal issues, tactical issues, and aftermath management. Topics will include interacting with suspects, witnesses, responding police officers…threat recognition and mind-set…management of social and psychological aftermath after having had to use lethal force in defense of self or others…and preparing beforehand for legal repercussions and minimizing exposure to them. Situations in the home, at the place of business, or “on the street” will all be covered.
Cost is $535.00. Register here!