About CSDT

Citizens’ Self-Defense Training is owned and operated by Dave Kopp, an NRA certified instructor in Basic Pistol and Personal Protection in the Home. Dave is also approved by the Arizona Department of Public Safety to teach the Arizona Concealed Weapons Permit course.

Dave learned to shoot when he was eight years old, and has spent many years since attempting to perfect the art. While perfection has yet to be attained, he continues to train and practice regularly. A Diamond Life Member of Front Sight Firearms Training Institute in Nevada, he has achieved the Distinguished Graduate ranking on their Basic Handgun Skills test.

He has been passing his knowledge of firearm safety on to others for many years as well, and at their urging, decided to seek NRA certification and make a business out of it. To this point, he has been spending most of his time at the helm of the Arizona Citizens Defense League, a statewide civil rights organization that he co-founded with a group of local “gun rights” activists. He is also AzCDL’s Designated Lobbyist, and spends many days at the state capitol, helping to draft and pass many of the improvements to Arizona’s gun laws over the last several years. In addition to being a Life Member of AzCDL, he is also a Benefactor Life Member of the National Rifle Association, and a Life Member of Gun Owners of America, the Second Amendment Foundation, Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership, and the Arizona State Rifle and Pistol Association.

Dave firmly believes in the ancient Latin adage, “Si vis pacem, para bellum”, which translates to “If you want peace, prepare for war”. Peaceable, law-abiding people should always be prepared to defend themselves from criminals and predators. Learning to use a firearm properly and safely, and regularly practicing what you have learned, is key to that preparation.

Why Choose Us?

There are many instructors available, why choose us? There are several good reasons:

• Low Cost - We don’t have the overhead of a gun business or other retail store to support. We can keep our prices low and dedicate our resources to our students, where they belong.
• Safe and Comfortable Environment - All of our classes are taught in a comfortable, climate controlled classroom (or in the comfort of your own home, if you so desire). The live fire portion of all classes are held on a properly supervised shooting range. We won’t make you drive miles out into the desert and make you sweat all day for your money.
• Professionalism - Our instructors train continuously, taking a minimum of forty hours of formal training annually, to keep their skills sharp and their knowledge base fresh. Additionally, their involvement in the political process keeps their knowledge of Arizona law current and consistent.
• Protection of your investment - Our business and instructors are insured. Though firearms instruction is statistically one of the safest activities you will ever take part in, if something should go wrong, would you rather be out in the middle of nowhere with some uninsured stranger, or on an established range with a professional who took the time and spent the money to cover possible emergencies?