🚫 Services Temporarily Suspended

We’re sorry—at this time, our Pro Shop, FFL transfers, and Gunsmithing services have been suspended.

We’re in the process of restructuring the Defensive Arts Center and appreciate your understanding during this transitional phase.

Please check back soon for updates as we evolve into the next version of DAC.

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If you’re going to get your CHL, let’s make it count. Our CHL class gets top reviews for being engaging, entertaining and highly educational. We take the mundane minimum curriculum and wrap it into real world oriented practical self-defense class where even the most experienced gun owners learn things. Content covers Oregon, Utah and Arizona. You will leave with everything needed to apply for Oregon and Utah and full instructions on how to submit for Arizona. Class Pricing – $104 which includes:

OR, UT & AZ training curriculum
Fingerprint Card & Passport Photos for Utah
Instructions for Arizona Application

There are options at checkout for Oregon Only (-$20) or Utah Only (-$35)

NOTE:

Fingerprints and Photos required for Utah permit. Only opt-out if you already have them.
Arizona requires 2 sets of fingerprint cards. We do not provide them in this class. There are several resources for professional fingerprinting or you can pick up 2 extra copies at your Oregon appointment.

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Prefer a phone call?
We keep pretty busy teaching and can't always answer the phone but you can schedule a time on our calendar for us to call you when convenient.
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CERTIFIED TASER TRAINING

Lethal force isn’t for everyone and shouldn’t be the default for anyone. TASERs are an excellent self-defense tool for personal safety and a great alternative to lethal force. TASERs are a non-lethal self-defense tool that when used correctly, can fully incapicate an attacker for 30 seconds or more allowing for a safe escape. This DAC class will teach you how to properly handle and use the device, as well as provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to make quick and effective decisions in high-stress situations. By taking this class, you can feel more confident in your ability to protect yourself, which can be especially valuable for those who live in urban or dangerous areas or who are out late at night. TASER training can provide you with the tools and knowledge you need to feel safer and more secure in your daily life.

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We are rapidly putting together some of our practical personal safety training online! GunAcademy.Online and DefenseAcademy.Online will offer Free, Paid and Member Only content.

AVERT is Active Violence Emergency Response Training. Through realistic training and situations, AVERT will give you the knowledge and confidence you need to escape, evade, or attack during an active violence incident.

AVERT is for any number of organizations, from healthcare organizations, hospitals, schools, colleges, businesses, churches, and event venues. Created by experts, AVERT goes far beyond what you will find anywhere else.

Our training focuses on skills once reserved for first responders, now adapted for the general public. Everything we do is informed by our direct experience in the trenches of emergency prevention and management.

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We offer First Aid/CPR/AED course options designed to prepare students to provide basic First Aid, CPR, and AED for all ages (adult/child/infant) in a safe, timely, and effective manner. These online/instructor led courses includes hands-on practice and testing. Upon successful completion, students receive an certification valid for two years. The DAC is certified to teach American Red Cross, HSI, and EMS Safety classes. Contact us to find out which one is right for you.

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One of the most important steps toward ensuring your own safety is having a personal safety strategy in place before you need it. NRA’s Refuse To Be A Victim® program teaches the tips and techniques you need to be alerted to dangerous situations and to avoid criminal confrontation.

Classes can be scheduled for individuals of all ages. Today, thousands of federal, state and local law enforcement officials and civilians from across the nation utilize this popular program in their crime prevention and community policing initiatives to help protect their communities.

Corporations, educational institutions, and community centers have also adopted the program. All told, more than 120,000 people have benefited from these seminars.

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Firmly grounded in Kung-Fu and Ninjutsu, the DAC self-defense programs is not a classic martial arts system. Martial arts systems are usually a complex series of physical exercise, history and sport fighting and their actual self-defense use can takes years to become proficient at.

Self-defense is more about defending yourself physically or verbally against an attacker. The DAC includes soft skills such as verbal aggression management, body language, awareness of attack, avoidance of attack, crime prevention, threat management and de-escalation along with a minimal set of techniques to get you out of a majority of situations. Something you can master in months, not years of study.

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IN-PERSON SAFETY TRAINING

When properly trained and deployed, OC Spray is one of the most powerful self-defense tools available.

DAC provides two types of personal safety training courses led by certified instructors – the Civilian Safety “OC Practical” course and the College Safety Program. Our trained and certified instructors designed classes to educate on everyday safety techniques for college students and independent adults in realistic situations not canned “guaranteed success” type training.

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Integrating Movement & Power evolved from an observation of a significant missing component in the realm of self-defense training. The fundamentals of awareness, reaction timing, basic blocking, striking, evasion and the generation of power are a necessary part of self defense regardless of the tools used. This class teaches those important skills and it is up to YOU to integrate YOUR force multiplier into the techniques you’ve learned. Normally, firearm, TASER or OC Spray class is a prerequisite for this course but based on your situation and experience, exceptions can be made.

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Our Home Defense class is a unique class which integrates parts of the C.A.R.E and Refuse to be a Victim courses as they apply to your specific world and home. Security, lighting, and even landscaping is discussed while helping you to safely integrate your home defense options to create a functional and practical home defense plan. Due to the uniqueness of this class, the class time can vary. Booking this class will not incur any charges prior to the class. Anticipate 2 to 3 hours.

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If self-defense training isn’t right for you, we offer the NRA Marksmanship Simulator Course. The course teaches basic marksmanship fundamentals and firearm safety using a simulated pistol with a resetting trigger and laser to indicate where the shots hit. The NRA Pistol Marksmanship Simulator Training Course teaches the fundamentals of sight alignment, trigger control, grip, and breath control. At the completion of the course, an NRA participation certificate is awarded.

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Date Night is a spinoff of our Firearm Fundamentals class designed for couples. The is designed as a starting point to develop the neural pathways and develop muscle memory to build the skills and confidence to handle firearms safely. This class normally runs just a little bit longer than the regular fundamentals class but the second student does not incur any hourly class charges, just ammo costs.

Date Night covers how to manipulate a firearm, clear it properly and handle it safely. You will learn the foundation of self-study and practice to ensure these skills are ready in a crisis situation.

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Firearm fundamentals provides a solid foundation of the basics. It’s designed as a starting point to develop the neural pathways and develop muscle memory to build the skills and confidence to handle firearms safely.
It’s not just for beginners but anyone who is planning to handle a firearm. Even experienced shooters benefit because the fundamentals never change and we all have space to improve.

Firearm Fundamentals covers how to manipulate a firearm, clear it properly and handle it safely while teaching the skills to not have to think through the process in a crisis.

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Beyond CHL is a series of classes each running about 2 hours each building on the previous. This is designed to give you the skills and confidence to safely carry a firearm into public space. Skills taught will include basic holster presentation and proximity training transitioning through retention, 360 degree decision support training and moving firearm use, on to ground and vehicular defenses. Alternative techniques and skills to avoid the use of deadly force, unless there are positively no other options, will also be a focus.

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Multistate Concealed Carry (CHL, CCW), Gun Safety & Tactical Firearms Training Training for civilians and private security officers in Portland, Oregon

⚠️ Important Notice

As of July 1, our physical training facility at 4620 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy will officially closed.

During this transitional period, we will not be scheduling any private classes or appointments. We will continue our CHL and Professional Corporate training as soon as space allows. We appreciate your patience as we restructure and explore the next evolution of the Defensive Arts Center.

Keep an eye on this space for updates on the new and improved DAC and what’s coming next.

Questions? Reach out to us directly at tr******@***********ts.org.

Next Level Firearms

Our paradigm-shifting program brings martial-arts theory to modern day firearm use. Responsible concealed carry, firearms safety and gun handling for self defense, goes far beyond what you can do at the range shooting holes in paper targets. We leverage the latest theory and technology to train you in weapon retention, ambush attack survival, moving, running, dealing with emergencies, aftermath and so much more. Our programs are designed to directly respond to what violence looks like in today’s world.

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firearm training instructor certifications

Less Lethal defense

Deadly force isn’t for everyone and should never be your only tool, nor your go-to for self-defense. Even well trained gun owners need to add less-lethal skills to their self-defense tool set. 80% of all violence is simple assault. Meaning, if you are in a precarious situation and you are NOT in fear of death or grievous bodily harm, the use of deadly force would NOT be the correct solution. The DAC offers ways to tell what situation you are in and offer multiple less-lethal options.

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less lethal / non lethal training class certifications

Life-Saving Response

When the first responder is you, your hands can save lives. True to our mission, vision and values, it isn’t enough to just protect life; we are certified by multiple industry leaders to train you to preserve life. Learning the skills of CPR, BLS, First Aid, AED, and Trauma response, put life-saving knowledge in your hands when you need it. We offer individual, group and professional training for the skills mentioned above as well as Active Violence Emergency Response Training (A.V.E.R.T).

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Our Mission

We strive to be a proactive part of our clients development while evolving a learning path regardless of barriers they may face. We will help them develop the skills and confidence necessary in a safe learning environment to go beyond personal safety into a more confident and fulfilled lifestyle

Our Vision

To continue to provide previously unattainable education and instruction to everyone who has a desire to learn. To break down barriers, prejudice and stereotypes associated with self defensive knowledge. Make a positive impact on our clients and society as a whole in an ever-widening circle of knowledge and wisdom.

Our Values

Honor All Life – It is not enough to protect life, but to preserve it. It is not responsible to learn to take life, without also knowing how to save it.

Be an Ambassador – Lead by example. Learn, train and encourage others along the way.

We CAN and WILL make a difference

Equality – Welcome EVERYONE without fear of judgement or prejudice

Humility – No one way is right for everyone and anyone can learn regardless of situation. It is OUR job to connect with our students, not the other way around

Training Highlight - SIMUNITION®

Why use less-lethal ammunition?

The DAC is proud to be Oregon’s only Simunition® Civilian Exclusive Professional Training Organization. The use of Non-Lethal Munitions (NLM) allows us to train to address what real world violence looks like as recorded by the Department of Justice & FBI. You simply cannot train to that level using live munitions at a gun range. Simunition® allows us to train in 360 degrees while moving and apply critical decision support required in situations where life-saving decisions have to be made.

A Word

From Our Founder

“80% of life-threatening violence happens inside of 15 feet. By the time you can react, you are at grappling distance. Have you been there before? It’s highly likely the bad guy has!

If you aren’t practicing the skills within this distance to confidently and responsibly defend yourself and keep your defensive tools out of the hands of your attacker, then you’re not truly preparing for self defense. I created the DAC to fill the gap that training at a range leaves behind.”

– Greg Fishback

Who we are

The DAC was built to bridge a very necessary gap in firearms training. As a gun owner, having your Concealed Handgun License (CHL, CCW or CCL) for self defense or even just having a gun in the home for home defense is a big responsibility. Most people have little or no practical training on what self-defense with a firearm requires. Whether you are interested in basic gun safety for handling a gun or more advanced tactics, the DAC offers a one-of-a-kind training facility where you can train specifically for the challenges of self-defense against real world violence. We offer training courses for beginners through advanced shooters in a non-lethal environment allowing training in close quarters and in a 360 degrees training environment. Basic firearm safety, weapons retention, use of barriers, movement, ground defenses and vehicular defenses are just a few of the topics we can help you learn. Our training program has received high marks from police & law enforcement, military veterans and experience security professionals.

The DAC’s Location

Our Facility

Located on Portland Oregon’s west side, with quick access off of I-5 our firearm training academy occupies the upstairs “C-suite” area of our facility. Parking can be found in front, on the west side (parking lot behind the facility) and to the south and back door of the building.

(503)610-6300

FFL Services

The DAC offers a full rage of FFL services as a type 7 (manufacturing) licensed dealer. Sales, consignment, transfers etc.

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Pro Shop

The DAC has a “best-of-breed” pro-shop where we sell gear and training equipment we find essential to self-defense training. If we don’t have it, we want to know about it and can quite probably order it from a long list of distributors. We don’t do walk-in shopping. Our pro-shop is open in conjunction with our training schedule or you can make an appointment whenever it is convenient for you.

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Gunsmithing

Although we don’t have a large machine shop for full service gunsmithing, we do offer sight replacement, alignment, drop-in trigger work and basic gunsmithing services. If we don’t do it, we know somone who can and can make it happen. Feel free to give us a call to discuss your needs.

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Government & Large Business Services

The DAC offers special pricing to government entities and larger companies. Should you require training for EFT’s (Emergency Firearms Teams), Armed or Unarmed Security, CPR, BLS, TASER, OC and Bear Spray or any of a plethora of other instruction we offer, please don’t hesitate to give us a call.

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