N.A.P.S.I. Essential Defensive Pistol

N.A.P.S.I. ESSENTIAL DEFENSIVE PISTOL

es·sen·tial:  absolutely necessary; indespensible.  Of the utmost importance


NOTICE:  All students are required to sign a liability waiver/hold harmless agreement on the day of the class, before any instruction can take place.  Students must be law abiding citizens of good repute and must be legally entitled to possess firearms and participate in firearms/tactical training in accordance with the laws of their state and the laws of the United States.  N.A.P.S.I. Approved Trainers are expected to follow all local, state, and federal laws when providing any instruction.    

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The N.A.P.S.I. Essential Defensive Pistol (EDP) Course was developed to provide the student with an opportunity to build upon the foundational skill-set and knowledge base that was acquired in FDP or BDSS. This includes a continued focus on the defensive mindset, discussion regarding avoidance/de-escalation strategies, an understanding of the physiological changes that occur in the    

  • Review of Firearms Safety and Safe Gun Handling Practices
  • In-depth Discussion on Physiological Changes that take place when under severe stress, and what effect they have on our training
  • Review of Defensive Shooting Fundamentals
  • Using Lateral Movement during a fight
  • Presentation From a Holster
  • Emergency and Tactical Reload Procedures
  • Proper Scan and Assess Procedures
  • Balance of Speed and Precision
  • Strong Hand Only Presentation and Operation
  • Non-diagnostic Malfunction Remedies
  • Realistic Approach to Engaging Multiple Targets
  • Moving to Cover and Concealment
  • Application of Skills in a 360 Degree Environment

Students will be required to show proof of completion of N.A.P.S.I. FDP or BDSS course, or pass a three-part pre-course qualification test, before being allowed to attend EDP. 


Students should make sure to contact their instructor PRIOR to the day of the class regarding required gear, specific ammunition requirements, lunches, and any special considerations that will need to be addressed before the class starts.  Many N.A.P.S.I. Approved Trainers have gear available to loan or rent to students if needed. 

human body when under lethal force stress and what affect they have on our training, and a series of skill development exercises that will help the student learn to more efficiently and effectively use a handgun for self defense in a lethal force encounter.  EDP focuses on encounters that take place at distances beyond two arms reach.


This is the class where all of the foundational work completed in FDP and/or BDSS starts to come together with a true mastery of running the gun.  This course will allow the student to safely push his/her performance limits while quickly building the confidence and competence needed to prevail in a real lethal force encounter.  EDP answers the "why" questions with quantifiable, empirical evidence-based information.      


Students should expect to fire approximately 250 rounds of ammunition.  EDP consists of a full day (approx. 9 hours) of intense teaching, range training, and repetitive practice covering a variety of topics including: