The Programs
Every course is taught personally by the instructor, classroom first, supervised live fire second, so you leave able to handle and carry a pistol safely.
Wear & Carry
A structured sixteen-hour course of instruction delivered in a classroom setting, with one hour of range time included. Students bring 25 rounds of their own ammunition.
- Tuition
- $250+ $35 range fee
- Range
- 1 hour range time included, bring 25 rounds of your own ammunition
HQL
The Handgun Qualification License course, a four-hour class with one hour of range time included.
- Tuition
- $150+ $35 range fee
- Range
- 1 hour range time included
NRA Basic Pistol
The NRA Basic Pistol course covers safe handling and shooting fundamentals from the ground up. Students should plan for 100 to 150 rounds of ammunition.
- Tuition
- $250+ $35 range fee
- Range
- 100 to 150 rounds of ammunition required for this course
Wear & Carry Renewal
An eight-hour renewal course for permit holders who need to requalify for their Maryland Wear and Carry permit.
- Tuition
- $150+ $35 range fee
- Range
- 1 hour range time included, bring 25 rounds of your own ammunition
HQL Renewal
The renewal class for students who already hold a Handgun Qualification License and need to renew it.
- Tuition
- $150+ $35 range fee
- Range
- 1 hour range time included
Contact DFTA for current schedules and availability.
What to Bring
Come prepared so you can focus on learning, not logistics.
A valid ID
Government-issued photo ID required for all Maryland courses.
Handgun & ammunition
You may bring your own pistol if you have one. Bring 25 rounds for Wear and Carry, Wear and Carry Renewal, HQL and HQL Renewal, and 100 to 150 rounds for the NRA Basic Pistol course.
Eye & ear protection
Mandatory on the range. Bring your own or use academy-provided gear.
Closed-toe shoes & layered clothing
Range-ready clothing and comfortable shoes for standing and movement drills.
01
Safe handling
The universal safety rules, loading and unloading, storage, and how to make a pistol safe in any condition.
02
Pistol fundamentals
Grip, stance, sight alignment, trigger control and follow-through, the mechanics that make accurate shooting repeatable.
03
Carry and concealment
Holster selection, safe presentation, re-holstering and carrying responsibly through an ordinary day.
04
Maryland law
The legal framework for owning, carrying and using a firearm in Maryland, and what the law expects of you.
05
Defensive mindset
Awareness, avoidance and decision-making, understanding when a firearm is the answer and when it is not.
06
Live fire
Supervised range time where classroom instruction is applied under the eye of a Range Safety Officer.
Who trains here
- First-time owners who have never handled a pistol
- Applicants preparing for a Maryland HQL or Wear and Carry permit
- Carriers who want to rebuild their fundamentals properly
- Anyone learning to defend themselves and their family responsibly