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They Knew – and Ordered It Anyway: A Lesson for Security Professionals and Citizens

What happens when people know a decision is dangerous, but fear, politics, self-interest, or institutional pressure persuades them to go along anyway? The Taggart Tunnel disaster in Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged offers a powerful lesson about judgment, personal responsibility, and the danger of demanding that reality conform to what we...

I’m Your New Firearms Instructor — But I’m Not Real

I’m your new firearms instructor. I have trained more than thirty thousand students. I hold active credentials in multiple states. I can answer any question at 2 a.m., never lose patience, and explain use-of-force law, safety rules, and defensive tactics with calm precision. There’s just one problem. None of it...

If a Gunman Is Shooting Into Your Neighborhood, Can You Shoot Back?

If a gunman is actively firing into occupied homes in your neighborhood, would you be legally justified in shooting him to protect yourself or your neighbors? Using the recent North Las Vegas shooting as a case study, we examine how Nevada and California self-defense laws might apply, and why the...

Which Gun Should You Buy? The Right Answer Depends on You

Choosing a firearm for home defense or concealed carry isn’t as simple as picking the most popular gun at the store. Hand size, strength, experience, recoil tolerance, intended use, and willingness to practice all matter. Here’s how to evaluate your options and choose the firearm that’s right for you....

When Escalation Replaces De-Escalation: Lessons from a Fatal Parking Lot Shooting

A simple parking dispute at a Walmart turned deadly when neither person chose to walk away. One woman is now facing possible charges after shooting an unarmed man who continued to confront her. This tragic case is a stark reminder: de-escalation is a skill, and the most important decision is...

The Interconnected Pressures on American Liberty: Why the Second Amendment Is More Important Than Ever

Are the pressures on American society, economy, and culture more connected than they appear? Uncontrolled migration, identity-driven division, the administrative state, and efforts to disarm citizens all point toward a broader challenge to our sovereignty and middle class. In this thought-provoking piece, we explore how these trends interconnect and why...

Testimonials

Honest Reviews from  our Students

    
 
 
      Posted on Trustindex  
   
   Rob 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Trustindex. CCW Renewal class with PDS and Joel Persinger. I recommend PDS and Joel for your CCW training. I just took the CCW renewal class with the added benefit of the Situational Awareness Lab. It was an excellent class!
  
 
     Posted on Trustindex  
   
   Glenn Martin 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Trustindex. Outstanding and practical class The class is exceptionally well-designed and provides clear, practical instruction. The teaching style is engaging, and the information is presented in a way that's easy to absorb and apply. Highly recommended for anyone looking to gain valuable skills effectively!
  
 
     Posted on Trustindex  
   
   Tina Young 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Trustindex. CCW Renewal Course The classroom simulator was a real eye opener about how quickly events can occur. We debriefed each event and the entire class learned from one another. The range portion contained clear instructions ensuring everyone’s safety and success. I’ve had my CCW permit for 12 years and have had a lot of firearms instructors. Joel Persinger is hands down the best.
  
 
     Posted on Trustindex  
   
   Chris Myers 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Trustindex. Excellent and engaging lecture! The lecture was engaging and very well-designed, with scenarios that effectively broke up any potential monotony. It kept my attention throughout and made the learning process more enjoyable and memorable. Highly recommend!
  
 
     Posted on Trustindex  
   
   Mark Yandell 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Trustindex. Highly Recommend I liked the hands-on experience.  The laser training was very helpful, interesting and fun.  I would very much recommend this training to anyone.
  
 
     Posted on Yelp  
   
   nolan l. 
 
 
 Verified Practical Defense Systems' 16-hour CCW course is hands down one of the best classes you can spend your hard-earned money on, especially in this economy. I would 10/10 recommend it to all my family members before they begin carrying. I have been carrying a firearm overtly for over 16 years and concealed for nearly nine years. During that time, I've taken numerous tactical shooting courses ranging from low to medium speed and drag. Going into this class, I initially thought a 16-hour California CCW course would be a waste of my time and money. However, Joel and Dave's expert knowledge, experience, and the overall flow of the course quickly changed my perspective. The material was well presented, practical, and highly relevant. The significant amount of simulator time was especially valuable and helped reinforce real-world decision-making. I'm very glad I took their course and definitely feel better equipped to carry concealed in the Wild West that is California. Thanks, gentlemen -- I look forward to taking more courses in the future.