Protect & Defend Firearms Training

Short and simple: Bill Ezekiel is a great firearms instructor, and you’d be foolish not to learn from him.
My wife, one of my sons, and I met with Bill for several hours for the in-​home classroom session of the First Steps Pistol Orientation. We were not familiar with firearms and thought that, like knowing how to swim, it is important to have the basic skills needed to safely and correctly use a pistol. Bill didn’t just stick to a script; he took us where the conversation led, answering all of our questions.
The second session was at the shooting range, where Bill patiently worked with each of us, reminding of us what we had practiced during the classroom session and helping us establish and improve our marksmanship skills.
We’re glad we met Bill, and I’m sure we’ll be working with him again.

I’ve never held a gun in my life, but Bill and Andy took any worry out of the equation. Both men were highly professional, and the classroom sessions were never boring.
We went through all the stages of grip, loading and *especially* safety, which was paramount to the two instructors who had brought various pistols and revolvers with them. (There was NO live ammunition in the classroom.)
Actual shooting was at a range several days later, and it was great taking the basics I learnt in class and applying them in a «live» situation.
Must-​do for anyone interested in learning the basics from two pros who knew what they were doing at every single stage.

My wife and I took the NRA Basic Pistol course with Protect-​Defend Firearms Training. Andy and Bill were our instructors for the full-​day in-​class session and the follow-​up session at Blue Ridge Arsenal. Andy and Bill are both outstanding instructors with extensive knowledge of the subject matter. They were patient and helpful with all class members. Our class included attendees with a wide range of firearms experience. Some folks owned multiple guns and others had absolutely no experience. My assessment is that all attendees found the class worthwhile.
We really like the fact that the sessions at the shooting range were scheduled for during the week, following the in-​class session. The range was not crowded at all when we attended. This was a much better environment than we would have found at any of the local ranges on a Saturday, when they are all hyper-​busy.
I recommend Protect-​Defend Firearms Training without hesitation. We plan to take a followup class with them in the future.

I took the Basic Handgun Course recently and it was great! The instructors Andy and Bill are very knowledgeable and professional (and I must add, funny). Even though the subject matter has the potential to be technical, they broke it down so it was very easy to understand. Whether you have experience with firearms or have never picked one up, their training will educate, raise your awareness and provide you the tools to being a safe and responsible gun owner.

I HIGHLY recommend Andy and this class to anyone I can. I’ve been a hunter and around firearms my entire life, so it’s easy for me to say that these guys really know there stuff. The class is super informative and Andy does a great job of answering any and all questions. once again if you’re looking at getting your concealed carry and live in the DMV you are doing yourself a HUGE disservice to take it anywhere else.

Like many Americans, I recently purchased a pistol primarily for the purpose of home defense. Nothing is more important to me than to be able to protect my wife and home if the situation ever arises. However, I had very little experience and knowledge about using a semi automatic pistol and training for me was of the utmost importance. Not only for me but for my wife as well who had zero experience and didn’t really relish the idea of even holding a gun let alone firing one. As such, we were very fortunate to select Bill Ezekiel as our trainer and instructor. He was patient, incredibly through, and a professional at all times. From the lecture to the shooting range he consistently worked with us, together and individually, at a pace that allowed us to increase our awareness and understanding of all the basics of using a firearm safely and effectively. His focus was always on making sure that we understood what was being taught and then being able to comfortably translate that into practice. My wife went from a point of not wanting to be trained or use a pistol to the place where she began to feel both confident and comfortable with the weapon. Bill was an excellent coach and created a training atmosphere that was highly interactive and compelling. He made you feel good about the progress you were making no matter how small while never overlooking any mistakes or faulty mechanics. I highly recommend him and my wife and I look forward to continuing our training and improving our skills with him and Andy at Protect & Defend

Andy and Bill are attentive, patience and share real-​life stories throughout the course. When I say these guys are «superior teachers/​instructors» I really mean it. As someone who has taken other courses before, these guys are on a level all by themselves.
Take the class as a newbie, need a refresher or just want to hone your skills. Awesome service, great price and reputable and knowledgable guys… what else you need?