Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. One-on-one live fire and online courses are extremely common for me. I also teach small groups of two to four. Couples often train together, but I still work with one person at a time while the other watches because there is real value in seeing someone else shoot.

Private ranges in Gibbon and Fairmont, Minnesota. I also travel for groups upon request.

Visit daveydefense.com and click Permit to Carry to book your session.

Cash or Venmo only.

Yes. Davey Defense courses meet all Minnesota Permit to Carry requirements and are recognized statewide.

Absolutely. I specialize in helping new shooters become safe, confident, and competent, no experience required.

Yes. Bring your handgun and ammunition if you like. Loaner firearms and ammo can be arranged by request.

Absolutely yes. A 22LR pistol is perfectly acceptable for the qualification. I also want you to bring the handgun you intend to carry if you already own one. If you do not own either yet, that is fine. I will have a suitable pistol ready for you at the range.

No. You do not need to own a gun before you train. I keep quality loaner pistols on hand for students to use during live fire. If you are still shopping, it is often smarter to train first, learn what fits you, then decide what to buy.

Plan for at least 50 rounds of ammunition. Fifty rounds will cover the qualification and some warm up drills. Bringing extra ammo never hurts.

The online classroom typically takes between 30 and 90 minutes, depending on how closely you work through the material. Live fire usually adds about 30 minutes on the range. Most people are wrapped up in roughly 1.5 to 2 hours total.

Bring a valid photo ID, your firearm if you own one, at least 50 rounds of ammunition, eye and ear protection, payment for the course, and clothing appropriate for the weather. If you are using one of my pistols or my ammo we will square up at the range.

Safety first, last, and always. The only thing that matters is everyone arriving back home safely.
I would rather send you home disappointed than send anyone home in a body bag because someone failed to follow
the Four Rules of Gun Safety.

The Four Rules of Gun Safety

1. Treat all guns as if they are always loaded.
2. Never let the muzzle point at anything you are not willing to destroy.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on target.
4. Be sure of your target, what is beyond it, and what is around it.

Range Rules

• Safety briefing and expectations come first. Nothing proceeds until everyone understands the rules.
• All firearms must arrive cased and unloaded.
• Keep the muzzle pointed downrange at all times.
• No talking on a hot line, except the instructor.
• Never cross the firing line without authorization. No excuses.
• Eye and ear protection is required at all times.
• No borrowing guns. Your instructor will provide a firearm if needed.
• Leave Hollywood and Uncle Fester habits at home. This is real training.
• Downrange rule, nobody moves forward until the instructor calls the line cold.
• Unload sequence, magazine out, then rack the slide.
• When I say stop, you freeze. No exceptions.
• Your permit and your responsibility go hand in hand. Transport, handle, and behave like an adult.

Final Word

These rules are not suggestions. They are mandatory for every student, every class, every time.
Follow them and we will have a safe, productive range session.
Ignore them and training ends immediately.

For most people, I do not recommend a red dot optic on an everyday carry gun, especially for newer shooters.
Build solid fundamentals on iron sights first. Once you can run irons confidently and consistently, then you can decide if adding a red dot makes sense for you.

A weapon mounted light is fine for a dedicated home defense gun that lives in the house.
I do not recommend a light on an everyday carry pistol. It adds bulk and complexity.
Keep your carry gun clean and simple and always carry a quality handheld light in your pocket.

I recommend a quality kydex appendix carry holster.
My preferred maker is ConcealedDevelopment.com.
Use code Davey at checkout for a discount.
A good holster fully covers the trigger guard, holds the gun securely, and allows safe reholstering.

As a company, Davey Defense does not offer group discounts. Some independent instructors affiliated with Davey Defense may choose to offer reduced rates at their discretion.

I recommend the CCW Concealed Carry 50 State app from Workman Consulting LLC. It is a paid app, but it is absolutely worth it. It is kept current and gives clear, no nonsense summaries of state carry laws. You can find it on the
Apple App Store
and on
Google Play.

Your training certificate is valid for 12 months. You can complete your class and live fire up to one year before submitting your permit application. I generally recommend doing this within six months of applying or renewing.

In my world, there is no difference. The class, the law, and the training requirements are the same for new permits and renewals. The thirty day renewal grace period is mainly about how law enforcement interacts with you on the street and possibly what your sheriff charges for the application fee.

Yes. Minnesota law requires full training every time. There is no shortcut, no abbreviated renewal class, and no reduced curriculum.

Absolutely yes. Pregnant women can take the class without concern. Firing a handgun does not harm the unborn baby and there is no danger from the training environment when we follow proper safety procedures. If you are comfortable shooting, I am comfortable teaching you.

As a general rule, no. I do not allow casual observers on the range. If a spouse or family member is concerned about safety, I am happy to have a conversation with them. I will not sign off on any student I feel is unsafe. Your safety and my reputation both depend on that.

Normally, no. I encourage you to bring your own eye and ear protection. I am particularly fond of electronic hearing protection because it allows me to communicate more easily with you on the range.

I do not teach the DNR hunter safety course. I do, however, work with youth for safety and familiarization. Ages 8 to 15 train only with a parent present. Ages 16 to 17 can work on real pistol skills with a parent or guardian signing the liability waiver. At 18 you are a legal adult.

Short answer, no one can pick that for you. I can give you a short list of high quality carry pistols that are proven performers, but I will not choose your gun. Choosing a carry gun is like buying a handbag or undergarments. Your significant other can pay for it, but they do not get to pick it out.

No. You are responsible for bringing your own ammunition unless we have made other arrangements ahead of time. In limited cases I can provide ammo and we will square up at the range.

That is perfectly fine. Many of my students are brand new shooters. We start with the basics, one step at a time, at your pace. My job is to keep you safe and help you become confident and competent with a handgun.