East Tennessee · Firearms Training & Personal Safety · Est. 2014
Awareness is your
first defense
USCCA and NRA certified instruction for first-time shooters, experienced carriers, families, and the people responsible for protecting others.
- USCCA Certified Instructor
- NRA Certified Instructor
- NRA Chief Range Safety Officer
- Well Armed Woman Certified
Training that goes deeper than a permit card
Blackthorn Defense Tactics was founded on a simple belief: every person deserves the knowledge and skills to protect themselves and the people they love. What you don't know can get someone killed. What you do know can save lives.
Since 2014, individuals, families, and organizations across East Tennessee have trained here — not to pass a test, but to build safety, awareness, and skills that hold up under pressure.
Meet your instructorSix courses. One standard.
Every course is taught personally by a certified instructor, scaled to your experience — from never-touched-a-firearm to advanced defensive work.
Concealed Carry Permit
Tennessee state-approved course covering carry law, safe handling, and live-fire qualification — everything required for your permit application.
BDT–02
Firearms Training, All Levels
Personalized instruction that meets you where you are — fundamentals for new shooters, refinement for experienced ones.
BDT–03
Women & Family Firearm Safety
A welcoming, judgment-free path to safe ownership, storage, and home defense — taught by a Well Armed Woman certified instructor.
BDT–04
Defensive Pistol
Scenario-based defensive shooting: draw technique, threat assessment, and marksmanship that holds up when it matters.
BDT–05
Church & Workplace Safety
Active-threat response for houses of worship and businesses — situational awareness, protocols, and team readiness.
BDT–06
Emergency First Aid
Trauma response for the minutes before help arrives: tourniquets, wound packing, and emergency assessment.
The firearm is the last resort. Awareness comes first.
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Safety above everything
Every session begins and ends with the fundamentals of safe firearm handling. It is the foundation everything else is built on — never a formality.
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Real-world relevant
Skills are taught in the context of scenarios you might actually face, not just range drills. The goal is preparedness, not performance on paper.
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Legal knowledge built in
Every course incorporates Tennessee's legal framework around ownership, carry, and use of force. Responsible ownership means knowing the law.
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Welcoming to everyone
Especially to women and first-time shooters who may feel intimidated. The environment is supportive, encouraging, and free of judgment.
Small classes. Real range time.
No lecture-hall crowds. You train with an instructor who knows your name, watches your technique, and builds your skills rep by rep.
Instructor credentials
USCCA Certified Instructor
United States Concealed Carry Association — among the most rigorous civilian credentials for personal protection instruction.
NRA Certified Instructor
Certified to teach safe firearm handling, marksmanship, and concealed carry under the NRA's national training standards.
NRA Chief Range Safety Officer
The NRA's highest range-safety credential — responsible for the safe conduct of all range activities and for training other safety officers.
Well Armed Woman Certified
Specialized certification focused on making firearms education welcoming, effective, and empowering for women.
Before you book
Do I need prior experience to take a class?
Not at all. Classes are available for all skill levels, including complete beginners. You'll start in a safe, pressure-free environment designed for new shooters.
What do I need to bring to a class?
Requirements vary by course. Generally you'll need a valid ID, eye and ear protection, and a firearm (or one can be arranged). Contact us for specifics before your class.
Is the Concealed Carry class state-approved?
Yes. The Concealed Carry Permit course meets Tennessee state requirements and is taught by a USCCA-certified instructor authorized to certify students for the permit process.
Do you offer group or private classes?
Both. Private instruction provides focused one-on-one learning, while group classes work well for families, church security teams, and workplace groups.
Are women's classes separate from mixed classes?
Women-only sessions are available for those who prefer that environment, but women are always welcome in every course. Every class is designed to be inclusive and encouraging.
How do I sign up or get more information?
Call 423-446-SAFE (7233) or use the contact form. We're happy to answer questions and help you find the right course for your goals.
Train before you need it
Don't wait for the day you wish you'd taken the class. Build the skills and awareness that protect the people you love.
423-446-SAFE(7233) · call or text