Firearms Training for Every
Stage of Your Journey
Beginner Friendly | Youth & Adult Programs | Family-Focused Training | Private Instruction Available
Whether you're picking up a firearm for the first time, continuing your training, or learning alongside your child, Dominion Defense provides hands-on instruction that emphasizes safety, responsibility, and practical skill development in a supportive learning environment.
What is Dominion Defense?
Firearms Training Built on Safety, Responsibility, and Character
Dominion Defense provides professional firearms instruction designed to help students develop safe habits, practical skills, and the confidence to become responsible firearm owners.
Every class is taught in a structured, supportive environment where students learn at their own pace through a combination of classroom instruction, hands-on coaching, and supervised live-fire training.
Whether you're attending your first class or continuing your training, our goal is to equip every student with the knowledge, skills, and judgment needed for safe and responsible firearm ownership.
Who We Train
New Shooters
Learn firearm safety and build confidence from the ground up.
Youth
Age-appropriate instruction that emphasizes responsibility, discipline, and safe firearm handling.
Families
Train together in a supportive environment that encourages communication, shared learning, and responsible firearm ownership.
Returning Shooters
Continue developing your skills through structured practice and advanced instruction.
Our Training Programs
Find the Right Firearms Training for You
Choose from structured, instructor-led courses designed to build safe handling, confidence, and real-world firearm skills in a controlled and supportive environment. All classes are held at Ben Avery Shooting Facility and include hands-on instruction with certified supervision and live-fire training where appropriate.
Parent & Me Basic Pistol
Train together. Learn safe habits as a family.
A family-focused course where parents and youth train side-by-side to build safe firearm handling skills, shared responsibility, and confidence.
Focus Areas:
- Firearm safety rules and range etiquette
- Proper grip, stance, and sight alignment
- Loading and unloading procedures
- Safe communication on the range
- Marksmanship fundamentals
Youth Basic Pistol
Build strong safety habits from the ground up.
An introductory course for young or first-time shooters focused on safe handling, structured learning, and confidence-building through supervised practice.
Focus Areas:
- Universal firearm safety rules
- Safe handling and range
- procedures
- Parts and function of a pistol
- Loading and unloading fundamentals
- Basic marksmanship
Returning Youth Pistol
Progress your skills with advanced fundamentals.
Designed for students who have completed a basic course and are ready to improve accuracy, reinforce safe handling, and build more advanced firearm skills.
Focus Areas:
- Grip, stance, and trigger refinement
- Accuracy and consistency development
- Malfunction clearing fundamentals
- Safe loading variations
Introduction to field stripping
Women's Pistol Class
Learn at your pace in a supportive environment.
A confidence-building course designed specifically for women who want clear instruction, practical skills, and safe firearm handling fundamentals.
Focus Areas:
- Firearm safety fundamentals
- Grip, stance, and control
- Loading and unloading procedures
- Marksmanship basics
- Situational awareness
Private Instruction
One-on-one training tailored to your goals.
Personalized instruction for individuals or families who want focused coaching at their own pace.
Focus Areas:
- Safety fundamentals and confidence building
- Marksmanship improvement
Skill development tailored to your goals - Situational awareness and decision-making
- Family or individual instruction
Why Families Choose Dominion Defense
Certified Instructors
Small Class Sizes
Practical, Hands-on Learning
Family-focused Training
Safety-first Instruction
Character & Responsibility Emphasized
What to Expect
Professional instruction in a safe, welcoming environment.
Whether you're attending your first class or returning to build on existing skills, every Dominion Defense course follows a structured approach designed to help students learn with confidence.
Every class includes:
- Classroom instruction before live-fire activities
- Hands-on coaching from experienced instructors
- Safety-focused range procedures
- Small class sizes for individualized attention
- Opportunities to ask questions and practice skills
- A supportive learning environment for every experience level
Safety Comes first
Safety isn't simply part of our curriculum; it's the foundation of every class we teach.
Every training session emphasizes responsible decision-making, proper firearm handling, and established range safety procedures before students ever step onto the firing line.
Instruction is conducted under the supervision of qualified instructors using age-appropriate teaching methods and a pace designed to help every student learn safely and confidently.
Looking for a More Comprehensive Youth Program?
Individual classes are a great way to build firearm safety and marksmanship skills.
For families seeking a structured educational experience that combines leadership development, civics education, emergency preparedness, physical readiness, and firearms safety, explore Dominion Defense Academy.
18-week program
Ages 10+
Online instruction + in-person cohort training
Leadership • Citizenship • Firearms Safety • SAFER Training
frequently asked questions
What is Dominion Defense Youth Training?
Dominion Defense provides structured firearms safety and skills training designed specifically for youth. Our courses introduce students to safe, responsible firearm handling in a supportive, age-appropriate environment. Training emphasizes safety, discipline, confidence, responsibility, and ethical decision-making while building a solid foundation for future firearms education.
What youth courses are available?
View our schedule at the top of this page or visit our full schedule to see all of our offerings.
Is prior experience required?
No. The Basic Pistol Youth Course is designed for beginners.
Students enrolling in the Return Youth Pistol Course should have successfully completed a basic or introductory pistol course or receive instructor approval.
What ages may attend?
Courses are designed for youth 8 and above who demonstrate the maturity necessary to safely participate in firearms instruction. Placement is determined by age, maturity, and the instructor's professional judgment.
Is this course appropriate for beginners?
Yes. The Basic Pistol Youth Course is specifically designed for first-time shooters. Safety is taught first and reinforced throughout the entire course.
Is live-fire training included?
Yes. Students participate in supervised live-fire exercises after demonstrating an understanding of firearm safety and range procedures.
Who teaches the courses?
Training is conducted by qualified firearms instructors and range safety personnel experienced in teaching youth. Students receive close supervision and individualized coaching throughout the course.
Is safety the primary focus?
Absolutely.
Safety is the foundation of every Dominion Defense course. Every lesson, demonstration, and live-fire exercise is centered on responsible firearm handling and safe decision-making.
Students are expected to follow all instructor directions immediately. Unsafe or disruptive behavior may result in removal from training.
Are parents allowed to stay?
Yes. Parents are encouraged to remain during the course.
Depending on the student's age, maturity, or other factors determined by the instructor, a parent or legal guardian may be required to remain on-site for the duration of training.
Does a parent need to sign a waiver?
Yes.
A parent or legal guardian must complete all required registration forms, liability waivers, emergency contact information, and acknowledgments before a student may participate.
What should students wear?
Students should wear comfortable outdoor clothing appropriate for a shooting range, including:
- Closed-toe shoes
- Long pants
- Crew-neck or high-neck shirt
- Hat with a brim (recommended)
- Weather-appropriate clothing
Students should avoid sandals, open-toe shoes, or loose clothing that may interfere with safe firearm handling.
Is eye and ear protection required?
Yes.
Eye and ear protection are required for every student while on the range.
Students may bring their own properly rated eye and ear protection. If they do not have any, Dominion Defense will provide both eye and ear protection for use during the course.
Does my child need to bring a firearm?
No.
Dominion Defense provides firearms for student use during training.
If a family wishes for their student to use a personally owned firearm, it must first be inspected and approved by the instructor.
Personal firearms must:
- Be unloaded.
- Be transported in a locked case.
- Be given directly to the instructor upon arrival.
- Remain secured until the instructor authorizes its use.
Students should never remove a personal firearm from its case without instructor direction.
Is ammunition included?
Yes.
All ammunition used during the course is provided by Dominion Defense.
What should students bring?
Students should bring:
- Water
- A snack (optional)
- Comfortable outdoor clothing
- Any required paperwork if requested
Dominion Defense provides:
- Firearms
- Ammunition
- Eye protection
- Ear protection
What happens if my child is nervous?
It is completely normal for first-time shooters to be nervous.
Our instructors introduce each skill gradually and work with every student at their own pace. No student is pressured to move faster than they are comfortable or able to do safely.
Can a student be removed from class?
Yes.
Safety is non-negotiable.
Students may be removed from training for:
- Repeated safety violations
- Failure to follow instructor commands
- Horseplay
- Unsafe firearm handling
- Threatening or disruptive behavior
- Any conduct that creates a safety concern
All instructor and Range Safety Officer decisions regarding safety are final.
Is this a self-defense course?
No.
These courses focus on firearm safety, safe handling, marksmanship fundamentals, discipline, responsibility, and ethical firearm ownership. They are not tactical or defensive firearms courses.
Will my child receive a certificate?
Yes.
Students who successfully complete the course will receive a Dominion Defense Certificate of Completion.
What happens if weather becomes an issue?
Outdoor training may be delayed, modified, or rescheduled due to unsafe weather or range closures. Families will be notified as soon as possible if changes are necessary.
What is the cancellation policy?
Because Dominion Defense schedules instructors, reserves range space, prepares equipment, and commits resources based on each registered student, refunds are not available after registration.
If a student cannot attend because of illness, emergency, or another unforeseen circumstance, Dominion Defense may allow the registration to be transferred to a future class when appropriate. Rescheduling requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and are not guaranteed.
Are you an Arizona ESA Direct Pay Vendor?
Yes.
Dominion Defense is an approved Arizona Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) Direct Pay Vendor.
Families wishing to use ESA funds should indicate this during registration and request an invoice.
Once Dominion Defense receives the ClassWallet payment notification confirming payment approval, the student's registration is considered complete and the student's seat is officially reserved.
Please note that registration is not finalized until payment has been received through ClassWallet.
Can siblings register together?
Yes.
Each student must complete an individual registration and have separate signed waivers and emergency contact information.
Are private lessons available?
Private instruction and small-group training may be available depending on instructor and range availability. Contact Dominion Defense for current scheduling options.
How do I register?
Registration is available through Dominion Defense's website.
When registering, families should indicate whether they will be paying by:
- Credit or debit card
- Arizona ESA Direct Pay (ClassWallet)
Families using ESA Direct Pay should request an invoice during registration.
Registration is confirmed once payment has been received. For ESA families, registration is complete after Dominion Defense receives the ClassWallet payment confirmation email.
How do I register?
Visit our contact page