First-time shooter package
A welcoming introduction with live online basics, cleaning instruction and a private range lesson.
Northern Virginia firearm training that starts with safety and builds confidence. Explore beginner classes, concealed carry courses and private instruction in Fairfax and Lorton.
Beginners welcome · Serving Virginia, Maryland & Washington, DC
Compare four Northern Virginia firearm training options. Choose your goal, review what’s included, and pick an available date.
A welcoming introduction with live online basics, cleaning instruction and a private range lesson.
Beginner-friendly, in-person classroom instruction for your Virginia permit training.
Coordinated training for students pursuing separate Virginia, Maryland and DC permits.
Individual coaching at your pace, whether you’re starting out or returning to the range.
Prices shown are training prices. DMV permit fees, fingerprinting, ammunition, rentals and range fees are separate unless your booking states otherwise. Review the selected program’s inclusions before paying. Training does not issue a carry permit.
Select a goal for a suggested starting point, or ask our team.
Carry classes
Maryland Wear & Carry ↗DC concealed carry ↗Multi-state CCW package ↗Multi-state booking calendar ↗Arizona online CCW ↗Florida nonresident CCW ↗New York CCW ↗New Jersey CCW ↗Find a class that respects your experience, comfort and goals. Group sessions and individual instruction give you different ways to learn.

Join Sheena and the B.A.B.E. community for supportive, female-led group training, or choose a private lesson.
B.A.B.E.: last Sunday of each month at 1 p.m. Eastern. Confirm availability in the calendar.
Explore women’s training ↗
Talk with us about adaptive instruction, learning preferences and accessibility needs before booking.
Explore adaptive training ↗“Very professional and comfortable setting! The staff were very helpful!”
Bring practical safety education to your team. We tailor the conversation to your workplace, audience and priorities across Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC.
Tell us your location, group size and training goals. Prefer a call? (703) 835-0692.

Bring a friend, plan a group outing or keep building your skills with a training package.

A guided introduction for eligible visitors, couples and small groups. Start with safety, then enjoy an instructor-led range experience.
See the BIG BANG experience ↗
Compare Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum shooting packages for structured, ongoing instruction.
Compare shooting packages ↗Give someone a confident first step.
Shop training gift certificates ↗Complete U.S. LawShield’s Handgun Function & Fundamentals course before your Trouble Defense class and show proof of completion to receive the advertised $10 discount.
Start the free course ↗This introductory course supplements your training. It does not replace a required permit course or live-fire qualification.
Dee and Sheena Parker lead a veteran-owned training company built on patient instruction, practical education and respect for every student.


Both locations offer classroom instruction and live-fire range training. Your program and confirmation determine where to meet.
11250 Waples Mill Road
Fairfax, VA 22030
Classroom & range training by appointment.
Open Fairfax range map ↗8194-M Terminal Road
Lorton, VA 22079
Classroom & range training by appointment.
Open Lorton range map ↗Check your confirmation before traveling. The Trouble Defense office is for meetings and appointments only. Classroom and range sessions take place at the training location assigned to your booking.
Welcoming students from Fairfax, Lorton, Alexandria, Arlington, Springfield, Woodbridge and the surrounding DMV. Organizational safety training is also available at client sites.
Start with the overview above. Open the topics below for help comparing programs and planning your visit.
Your first class should give you room to learn, ask questions and understand the next step. You do not need to arrive knowing the terminology or already feeling confident. Tell our team what brought you here: becoming a first-time gun owner, returning after time away, preparing for a permit course or simply learning more about responsible ownership. That starting point helps us direct you toward a program that fits.
When comparing Northern Virginia firearm training, distinguish beginner education from permit-focused courses: they serve different goals. A new shooter may want an introduction that includes classroom learning, equipment familiarization and individual range time. Someone with prior experience may be looking for a particular concealed carry course or a private session. Comparing the purpose of each course is more helpful than choosing by price alone.
Our Northern Virginia firearm training takes place in Fairfax and Lorton, with programs serving the wider DMV community. Start with the four featured options above, then follow the course link for its full description. If two options seem similar, call before booking. Share your experience level and what you want to accomplish so we can help you choose a sensible starting point.
Start by identifying the jurisdiction where you intend to apply. A Virginia Concealed Carry Class, Maryland Wear and Carry Training and a DC Concealed Carry Class are separate program choices. Our course pages explain the training offered for each destination. The DMV option brings related training into a coordinated package for students exploring more than one jurisdiction.
Before selecting a date, compare the classroom commitment, any range session, included materials and additional charges. Training tuition and the overall application process are separate considerations. Read the booking description carefully, especially when a program has more than one session or location. Ask our team if you need help understanding how the schedule is organized.
Completing a course does not itself issue a permit or guarantee application approval. The relevant authority handles that decision. Use the official application instructions for current eligibility, paperwork and fees, and bring course-specific questions to us before registering. If you already completed training elsewhere, explain what you took and when rather than assuming that another course is interchangeable. We can help you identify which Trouble Defense course information to review next.
Private Northern Virginia firearm training gives you time with an instructor around your own learning goals. It may suit a student who prefers individual attention, wants to revisit earlier material or needs a quieter setting for questions. Tell us about your experience and priorities when arranging the lesson. That conversation helps establish what to focus on and which equipment questions need attention before you arrive.
The first-time shooter package offers a more structured introduction, bringing together live online education, cleaning instruction and private range time. Its listed inclusions make it easier to understand what is provided. Private hourly lessons and shooting packages have their own terms, so check those separately instead of assuming that every option includes the same rentals, ammunition or range fees.
For continued learning, compare the Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum package descriptions. Think about how much instruction you want, how often you can attend and whether your goals are best served by one session or a series. Choose a manageable commitment and keep questions from one lesson to discuss at the next. Your instructor can help you decide what further education would be useful after your initial appointment.
After booking your Northern Virginia firearm training, read the confirmation for your exact date, start time, location and preparation instructions. Some programs combine online, classroom and range components; do not assume every part happens on the same day. Save the confirmation where you can find it on your phone, and contact us if any part of the schedule is unclear.
Check the equipment and identification instructions for your particular course. If you are unsure whether to bring personal equipment, need a rental or have a question about what is included, ask before traveling. Follow the training facility’s directions and your instructor’s instructions. Avoid making purchases solely because you think a class might require them; confirm the actual requirements first.
Both Fairfax and Lorton serve students traveling from around the DMV. Allow time for traffic and use the map for the location assigned to your session. Our office is for meetings and appointments, so it should not be treated as a default classroom or range destination. If your plans change, refer to the booking terms and contact the team promptly. Clear communication before class makes the day easier for you and your instructor.
Choosing a comfortable setting is part of planning your Northern Virginia firearm training. Some students prefer a women’s group, while others would rather begin with a private appointment. Our women’s training page explains available options, including B.A.B.E. sessions. You can ask questions about the group format, experience level and schedule before choosing a program. There is no need to select a class simply because someone else prefers that setting.
For students who are blind or have low vision, our adaptive training page is a starting point for a conversation about instruction and access. Tell us which explanations work best for you and what support would make participation easier. Share relevant mobility, communication or facility-access questions before booking so the team can discuss the arrangements with you.
Individual needs differ, and an advance conversation helps establish what a particular session can provide. Ask about equipment, the training environment and whether a private format would be appropriate. We want students to have clear expectations before attending. Whether you are coming alone or with someone else, let us know what would help you take the next step with confidence.
Organizations often need a different starting point from an individual student. A workplace, community group or government office may be looking for education around communication, preparedness or its own facility. Begin by describing your audience and the concern you want the training to address. Our organizational services include de-escalation, workplace violence prevention, active shooter preparedness and facility security risk assessments.
When requesting a quote, include your organization’s location, approximate number of participants, preferred timeframe and any practical scheduling limits. Explain whether you are planning an initial session, a refresher or a broader discussion of training needs. This information helps the team respond with relevant options instead of asking you to choose from unrelated individual classes.
A group range experience has a different purpose from workplace safety education. If you are arranging a team outing or private event, use the group-events page and describe the experience you have in mind. For organizational safety education, use the training quote link above. In either case, confirm the scope, location, inclusions and schedule before making arrangements for your participants.
Quick answers to the questions we hear most.
Yes. Our beginner programs start with safety and clear explanations. The first-time shooter package combines live online education with cleaning instruction and a private range lesson.
No firearm is needed for the classroom portion. The $200 first-time shooter package includes rental equipment, eye and ear protection, a target, up to 50 rounds and range fees. Other programs have different inclusions; review the course page or call us before booking.
Choose the program for the jurisdiction where you plan to apply. We offer Virginia, Maryland and DC courses, plus coordinated DMV and multi-state options. If you’re unsure, use the program chooser above or contact us before registering.
Our Northern Virginia firearm training locations in Fairfax and Lorton offer both classroom instruction and range sessions. Sessions may be scheduled separately depending on the program. Follow the location and time in your confirmation; the office is used for meetings and appointments.
We offer adaptive instruction, including blind and low-vision programs. Contact our team before registering to discuss learning preferences, mobility, equipment and facility access so we can plan an appropriate session.
Yes. Send the specific requirements from your court, attorney or agency before choosing a course so we can review the training and documentation you need. View court-ordered course options.
Browse all firearm training FAQs ↗
Ready to book Northern Virginia firearm training? Choose a class or talk with our team about your goals and experience.
Prefer email? services@troubledefense.com · Contact Trouble Defense