About Us

The Armed Personal Defense Institute is a fully accredited firearms safety and personal protection training organization. APDI was founded in 2002 to address the need for quality, foundation level training for new firearms owners. Our focus is to provide a safe, encouraging environment that will allow students to learn effective marksmanship and gun handling skills whether they are a beginner or a skilled shooter. Our professional and unique training techniques provide our students with skills that will allow them to build their firearms skills, understand the legal ramifications associated with the use of deadly force and provide them with information that could potentially save their life or the life of a loved one.

APDI offers most of its courses on weekends at Ben Avery Shooting Facility, located in north Phoenix. Our courses are convenient, inexpensive and are located to require minimum travel for those living in the Valley of the Sun. We also periodically offer course in other locations throughout the Valley. Please phone or email us for locations and dates.
Doug Little, chief instructor and founder of APDI has the highest commitment to safe and effective training in the full range of firearms disciplines. Doug has over 18 years of experience in various firearms disciplines and invests over 120 hours each year training at some of the best shooting schools in the nation, including Gunsite and Suarez International. 
Doug Little

 
This enables him to stay on the cutting edge of firearms training techniques and tactical skills, all of which are incorporated into APDI courses.

All of our instructors are highly qualified NRA and DPS Certified Instructors. Training is available to civilian, law enforcement, private investigation and security personnel. Please contact us for information and rates for Agency training.

Although our primary focus is on Handgun, Personal Security and Crime Prevention, we also periodically offer courses through visiting instructors in Tactical Shotgun, Tactical Carbine and Edged Weapons. Please feel free to contact us for more details.

Certifications

National Rifle Association
Certified Instructor, Basic Pistol

National Rifle Association
Certified Instructor, Personal Protection in the Home

National Rifle Association
Certified Instructor, Firearms Safety in the Home

AZ Department of Public Safety
Certified Instructor, Concealed Weapons Permit

Armament Systems and Procedures
Certified Instructor, ASP Baton

Ben Avery Shooting Facility
Approved Training Organization

Certified Crime Prevention Specialist
International Society of Crime Prevention Practitioners

Instructor Rating – Low Light / Close Quarters Combat
Khyber Interactive / Suarez International

Certificate in Armed Vehicle Operations, Gunsite Academy

Marksman Ratings in Pistol and Intermediate Pistol, Gunsite Academy

National Rifle Association, Certified Instructor, Refuse to be a Victim Programs

Memberships

International Defensive Pistol Association

Cactus Combat Match League

National Rifle Association – Life Member

Arizona State Rifle and Pistol Association – Life Member

International Society of Crime Prevention Practitioners

Arizona Crime Prevention Association

Police Marksman Association

Affiliations:
National Shooting Sports Foundation – Business Member