Arizona's Premier Firearms Training

First Shot
Academy

"Build Your Foundation"

Real-world self-protection skills built on a mastery of fundamentals. We teach you to avoid danger first — and to respond with decisive, effective action when there is no other choice.

View Our Courses Meet the Instructor
Scroll
★
40 Years Experience Lifetime Firearms Practitioner
🎯
NRA Certified Rifle · Pistol · Range Safety Officer
🛡
USCCA Certified Concealed Carry Instructor
🔰
AZ CCW Qualified Approved DPS Curriculum
Self Protection Training
Self Protection First

Our Philosophy

It Starts With
the Basics

"Master the fundamentals, and the complex takes care of itself."

At First Shot Academy, we believe that true self-protection begins long before a trigger is ever pulled. Our training is grounded in the principle of avoidance first — developing the awareness and judgment to recognize and escape danger before it escalates.

We are not a tactical school. We do not chase the latest force-on-force trends or train students for battlefield scenarios. We teach everyday, responsible Americans how to protect themselves and the people they love — with confidence, discipline, and a mastery of the fundamentals that never fails under pressure.

Situational Awareness

Recognize threats before they materialize. Your most powerful tool is your mind.

Avoidance & De-escalation

The encounter you walk away from without firing is always the best outcome.

Fundamental Mastery

Grip, stance, sight alignment, trigger control — flawless basics under stress.

Decisive Action

When force is unavoidable, act with speed, accuracy, and legal justification.

Training Programs

Courses We Offer

Every course is built around mastery of fundamentals. No unnecessary complexity — just solid, reliable skills that will serve you for a lifetime.

Most Popular
🛡
Concealed Carry

Arizona Concealed Carry Weapons Certification

Our flagship course satisfies all Arizona DPS requirements for the CCW permit application. Covering Arizona firearms law, use-of-force doctrine, safe handling, storage, and live-fire qualification — this is the complete foundation for the responsibly armed citizen.

  • Arizona use-of-force and self-defense law
  • Firearm safety rules and handling fundamentals
  • Concealed carry methods, holsters, and equipment
  • Situational awareness and threat avoidance
  • Live-fire qualification on the range
  • Completion certificate for DPS CCW application
  • USCCA certified curriculum
⏱ Full Day Course Enroll Today
Pistol

Defensive Pistol Fundamentals

A thorough grounding in handgun operation, accuracy, and defensive application. Designed for new shooters as well as those who haven't shot for a while and want to refresh their skills.

  • Safe handling and firearm operation
  • Grip, stance, and sight alignment
  • Draw from holster (safe & efficient)
  • Malfunction recognition and clearing
  • Defensive shooting positions
  • Live-fire practical exercises
⏱ Half / Full Day Enroll
Carbine

Basic Carbine

Master the semi-automatic carbine for home defense and personal protection. Built around proven fundamentals from Robert's 15 years of practical rifle competition.

  • Carbine safety and fundamentals
  • Proper zero and ballistics basics
  • Shooting positions for defense
  • Reloads, malfunctions, transitions
  • Home defense applications
  • Live-fire at multiple distances
⏱ Full Day Course Enroll
Private Instruction

Private & Small Group Coaching

One-on-one or small group sessions tailored precisely to your skill level, goals, and schedule. The fastest path to meaningful improvement.

  • Customized curriculum for your needs
  • Flexible scheduling
  • Accelerated skill development
  • Available for all skill levels
⏱ Flexible Duration Inquire

Arizona CCW Permit

Your Path to
Legal Carry

Arizona is a shall-issue state. Complete our USCCA-certified course and you'll have everything you need to apply for your Arizona CCW permit through the Department of Public Safety.

1
Complete the Course

Attend our full-day Arizona CCW certification class, covering law, safety, and live-fire qualification.

2
Receive Your Certificate

Upon successful completion, you receive your official training certificate required by the DPS application.

3
Submit Your DPS Application

Apply directly to the Arizona Department of Public Safety with your certificate, fingerprints, and application fee.

4
Background Check & Approval

The DPS conducts the required background check. Upon approval, your permit is issued — valid for 5 years and recognized in 37+ states.

🛡

Arizona CCW Permit

Arizona issues concealed carry permits to qualified residents and non-residents. While Arizona law permits permitless carry for eligible individuals, an Arizona CCW permit unlocks reciprocity recognition in over 37 states — making it an invaluable credential for any armed citizen who travels.

Register for CCW Class

Permit issuance is subject to DPS background check and eligibility requirements. First Shot Academy provides the required training certificate; the permit is issued by the Arizona DPS.

Why get a concealed carry permit in a constitutional carry state?

Arizona is one of a growing number of states that allows law-abiding citizens to carry a concealed firearm without a permit — a right known as constitutional carry. So you may be asking: if I can already carry legally without one, why bother getting a permit at all? The answer is straightforward, and for most responsible gun owners, compelling.

Reciprocity in 37+ States

An Arizona CCW permit is recognized by more than 37 other states, meaning you can legally carry concealed when you travel across the country. Without a permit, your right to carry ends at the Arizona state line in most cases.

Streamlined Firearm Purchases

Presenting a valid Arizona CCW permit at the point of sale satisfies the federal background check requirement, allowing you to skip the standard NICS check and complete your purchase more quickly.

Demonstrated Responsibility

A permit signals to law enforcement, courts, and the public that you have voluntarily sought training and passed a background check — an important distinction that can matter in any use-of-force situation.

Knowledge of the Law

The certification course covers Arizona use-of-force law, self-defense statutes, and the legal aftermath of a defensive encounter. That knowledge is invaluable — regardless of whether you ever need to use it.

Access to Restricted Locations

Certain establishments and jurisdictions that would otherwise prohibit carry may make exceptions for permit holders. A permit gives you options that constitutional carry alone does not.

Peace of Mind

Carrying with a permit means you have taken every reasonable step to exercise your right lawfully and responsibly. That confidence — knowing you are trained, vetted, and documented — is worth the investment.

Robert - Lead Instructor, First Shot Academy
Robert Lead Instructor & Founder
NRA Pistol NRA Rifle NRA Range Safety Officer USCCA Certified

Your Instructor

Meet Robert

40 years behind the trigger. 15 years on the competitive line. A lifetime committed to protecting people.

40
Years Firearms Experience
15
Years Competitive Shooting
4
NRA & USCCA Certifications

Robert is the founder and lead instructor of First Shot Academy. A firefighter and paramedic for over three decades, Robert has spent his professional life in service to others — and has dedicated himself to learning the art of self-protection.

His competitive career spans 15 years in both practical pistol and precision rifle, where he has trained across the country with masters of their craft. He is a devoted husband of 38 years, father of seven, and grandfather of ten — and it is that deep sense of family and responsibility that drives every aspect of his teaching philosophy.

Robert's instruction style is patient, deliberate, and deeply rooted in fundamentals. He believes that any student — regardless of background or experience — can develop real, reliable self-protection skills when they are taught the right way from the very beginning. His motto, "Build Your Foundation," is not just a tagline. It is the core of everything taught at First Shot Academy.

Training Pedigree

  • Trained with retired U.S. Special Operations personnel
  • Trained under CIA contractors with operational field experience
  • Trained with practical pistol World and National Champions
  • 15 years competitive experience — Practical Pistol & Precision Rifle
  • NRA Certified: Rifle · Pistol · Range Safety Officer
  • USCCA Certified Instructor

Student Reviews

What Our Students Say

★★★★★
Robert's approach is unlike any firearms instructor I've encountered. He doesn't just teach you how to shoot — he teaches you how to think. I left feeling genuinely prepared, not just checked off a list.
David M. Arizona CCW Course Graduate
★★★★★
As a complete beginner, I was nervous. Robert made the range a calm, welcoming environment. His focus on the fundamentals gave me a confidence I didn't expect to have after just one day.
Sarah T. Defensive Pistol Fundamentals
★★★★★
The carbine class was outstanding. Robert's competitive background shows — his technique and drills are battle-tested. I've taken courses from other instructors and this is the best I've attended.
James R. Basic Carbine Student

Common Questions

Frequently Asked

Everything you need to know before your first class.

Not at all. Our Defensive Pistol Fundamentals and Arizona CCW courses are specifically designed to be accessible to complete beginners. Robert's teaching approach is patient and methodical — you'll build confidence from the very first hour. If you're a more experienced shooter, those same courses will sharpen your fundamentals in ways you may not expect.

For pistol courses, bring any full-size or compact semi-automatic handgun or revolver in a common defensive caliber (.380 ACP, 9mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP). For carbine, a standard AR-15 platform in 5.56/.223 is ideal. Bring a minimum of 100 rounds of factory (not reloaded) ammunition. If you don't own a firearm yet, contact us in advance — loaner firearms may be available.

The Arizona CCW certification course is a full-day course, typically running 8–10 hours including classroom instruction, breaks, and live-fire qualification. We keep class sizes small so there's plenty of time for questions and individual coaching on the range. After completion, you'll receive your training certificate to include with your Arizona DPS permit application.

No — and it's important to understand this distinction. First Shot Academy provides the required training certificate. The Arizona Department of Public Safety independently processes your permit application, conducts the background check, and makes the issuance decision. Eligibility is subject to Arizona law. We'll make sure you have everything required to submit a complete application.

Classes are held at approved ranges in the greater Phoenix, Arizona area. Specific location details — including address and parking information — are provided upon enrollment confirmation. We want to make sure you can find us easily on class day.

Absolutely — and we encourage it. Training with someone you trust reinforces the learning and makes the experience more comfortable, especially for first-timers. Simply register each person individually so we can confirm space and prepare properly. Group discounts may be available for families or small groups — ask when you enroll.

First Shot Academy is not a tactical training school. We don't train students for military or law enforcement scenarios. Our focus is the everyday, responsibly armed citizen — and we believe the best investment you can make is mastering the fundamentals completely before adding complexity. Avoidance first, decisive action when required, and flawless basics under pressure. That's the foundation we build.

Your Safety Is Worth Investing In

Don't wait for a threat to reveal a gap in your skills. Build your foundation today.

Enroll in a Course View All Courses

Get in Touch

Ready to Build
Your Foundation?

Questions about a course or want to get on the schedule? Reach out directly — Robert responds personally.

📍
Location

Greater Phoenix, Arizona
Specific range location provided upon enrollment

✉
📞
Phone

Available upon inquiry

📅
Scheduling

Classes held weekends and select weekdays. Private sessions available by appointment.

Enroll or Request Information