Practical Defense Systems

What Practical Defense Systems does

Practical Defense Systems (legally KBTN Inc.) is a privately held, California-licensed security and firearms training provider headquartered in San Diego. The company is BSIS-certified (license numbers TFF1296 and TFB1197) to deliver the state's mandated 40-hour Guard Card curriculum and to issue Exposed Firearm, Baton, Pepper Spray, and Electronic Control Device permits to working security guards. Beyond state-mandated certification, PDS offers concealed carry permit courses authorized in California, Utah, and Arizona; tactical firearms training; and scenario-based active shooter response and de-escalation courses delivered through a MILO simulator and laser-based SIRT training pistols. Its course portfolio spans entry-level compliance certifications through advanced tactical skills, with delivery models that mix 24/7/365 online on-demand multimedia instruction via the SAP Litmos LMS with in-person classroom and live-fire range training at its Mission Valley headquarters and a partner range in El Cajon.

The business model is direct-to-consumer and transactional: students purchase individual courses priced between $32.99 and $299, with no subscription, enterprise, or contracted-revenue arrangements evident. Customer segments include aspiring security guards seeking Guard Card certification, working security professionals meeting biannual firearms requalification and annual continuing-education requirements, church security teams, and civilians pursuing personal defense or CCW credentials. Distribution is concentrated through pdsclasses.com, supported by content marketing (article library, video library), SEO, and phone sales (888-233-6488). Operational partnerships include Secure Measures for advanced tactical courses, P2K Range for live-fire requalification, and SAP Litmos and MindBodyOnLine for digital delivery and registration.

The company is founder-led by Joel Persinger (CEO and Chief Instructor) alongside a small team including a retired Chief of Police, a retired U.S. Army Sergeant, and additional certified firearms instructors. It is bootstrapped with no external institutional funding, no parent or subsidiary structure, and reports 1-10 employees and over 32,000 students trained cumulatively across its 18+ year operating history. Revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

Practical Defense Systems

Legal name

KBTN Inc.

Website

https://pdsclasses.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Practical Defense Systems is a BSIS-licensed California training provider (KBTN Inc.) offering Guard Card, firearms permit, CCW, CPR, and scenario-based tactical courses to aspiring and working security guards, church safety teams, and civilians, delivered online via SAP Litmos and in-person in San Diego.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Security and Firearms Training Services

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (61151), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519), Professional and Management Development Training (61143)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Detective, Guard & Armored Car Services (7381)

akta.pro primary industry

Firearms, Range Safety & Less-Lethal Weapons Training (EDAOAMAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Armed Security & Firearms Training & Qualification (BPAKAOAB), Defensive Tactics, Use-of-Force & De-escalation Training (EDAOAMAM), General Security Officer (Unarmed) Training & Certification (BPAKAOAA), Private Security, Guarding & Patrol Training (EDAOAMAF)

Keywords

• Security guard training
• Firearms training
• Concealed carry courses
• Tactical self-defense
• CPR first aid

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Security Guard Training Courses: One-time fee courses for BSIS-approved security guard certification including Guard Card, Firearms Permit, Baton Permit, OC Spray, Handcuffing, and Defensive Tactics. Courses are delivered online, in-person, or as hybrid combinations.
2. Concealed Carry Permit (CCW) Courses: State-approved CCW training courses for California, Utah, and Arizona including renewals and legal updates. Offered as in-person training at their facility.
3. Specialized Scenario Training: Advanced tactical training courses including Active Threat & High-Stress Response and De-Escalation training using MILO simulator and force options training. Offered as 3-hour sessions at $149 per person.
4. CPR and First Aid Training: Online First Aid and CPR course in compliance with Title 16, California Code of Regulations, Section 643 for security officer training. Wallet card valid for two years.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Practical Defense Systems operates as a BSIS-licensed security training facility delivering state-approved certification courses (Guard Card, Exposed Firearm, Baton, OC Spray, Electronic Control Device, Handcuffing) and skills-based training (CCW for CA/UT/AZ, Active Shooter Response, De-Escalation, Personal Defense). Courses are delivered via online on-demand formats, instructor-led sessions, and in-person live-fire range training using MILO simulator and laser-based SIRT weapons.

Product overview

Practical Defense Systems operates as a BSIS-licensed security training provider offering a portfolio of certification and skills courses primarily for California security professionals and concealed carry permit holders. The core offering consists of Guard Card Training (the foundational requirement for California security guards) bundled with specialized permit courses covering Exposed Firearms, Baton, Pepper Spray, and Electronic Control Devices (Taser/Stun-Gun). Beyond compliance certifications, the company provides skills-based training including Concealed Carry Permit (CCW) courses for California, Utah, and Arizona; Tactical Firearms Training; Active Shooter Response; Scenario-based De-Escalation using MILO simulator technology; Church Security Training; and Personal Defense/Shooting courses. Course delivery spans fully online on-demand formats (via SAP Litmos LMS), instructor-led online sessions, and in-person live-fire range training. The portfolio is structured around state-mandated certifications (Guard Card, Firearms Permit) supplemented by advanced tactical and personal defense offerings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Guard Card Training State-approved BSIS Guard Card courses required for California security guard licensure. Includes 8-hour Powers to Arrest course and 32-hour continuing education (16 mandatory + 16 elective hours), delivered online on-demand or in hybrid format.
• Exposed Firearm Permit Course BSIS-certified firearms training for security guards. Covers initial permits (8-hour classroom + 6-hour range) and biannual requalification including live-fire range qualification with passing score requirements.
• Baton Permit Course 8-hour in-person baton permit course satisfying BSIS requirements for initial applications and renewals. Covers proper baton handling, legal use of force, defensive techniques, and practical application skills.
• Pepper Spray Permit Online Course 4-hour on-demand online pepper spray certification course satisfying California BSIS requirements for security guards carrying chemical agents. Includes wallet card upon completion.
• Electronic Control Device Training (Taser, Phazzer, Stun-Gun) 4-hour online course covering proper, effective, and ethical use of Tasers, Phazzers, and Stun-Guns by security guards and civilians for self-defense.
• Handcuffing Online Course 2-hour online course teaching proper use, carrying, and maintenance of handcuffs. Covers handcuffing suspects standing, on the ground, and on knees.
• Active Shooter Response for Security 3-hour session covering tactical movement, situational awareness, split-second decision-making, and lawful response under pressure using MILO scenario-based technology for security professionals.
• First Aid and CPR Online Courses 100% online First Aid and CPR course compliant with California Title 16 requirements for security officer training. Includes AED training and a wallet card valid for two years upon completion.
• Concealed Carry Permit / CCW Courses State-approved concealed carry training for California, Utah, and Arizona including renewals and legal updates. Authorized provider for CCW courses in these states, satisfying county sheriff requirements for permit applications.
• Tactical Firearms Training II: Active Threat & High-Stress Response Advanced 3-hour tactical firearms course covering active shooter and public threat scenarios, tactical movement, cover techniques, and split-second decision-making under extreme stress using MILO scenario-based technology. Priced at $149 per person.
• Scenario-based De-Escalation Training In-person scenario-based training providing real-world practice in de-escalation and crisis intervention techniques. Uses laser-based SIRT weapons and force options simulator. 1-hour lecture plus 2-hour scenario training, priced at $149 per person.
• Church Security Training Tactical training designed for faith-based environments covering de-escalation, crisis intervention, less lethal tools, and active threat response for church safety teams, ministry staff, and ushers.
• Personal Defense and Shooting Classes Hands-on instruction in handgun, rifle, and shotgun defense. Includes Home Defense Pistol Series, Concealed/Open Carry Pistol Series, and Skill Builders and Practice Sessions for civilians.
• Guard Card Annual Refresher

Quantifiable outcome

• 32,000+ students trained in guard card, firearms, defensive tactics, and specialized security courses
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Secure MeasurescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation with Secure Measures for conducting Tactical Firearms Training II: Active Threat & High-Stress Response at their Mission Valley San Diego location. This advanced course uses MILO scenario-based technology in cooperation with Secure Measures.
• P2K Sports / P2K RangecoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner shooting range for BSIS firearms permit requalification sessions. Located at 2082 Willow Glen Drive, El Cajon 92019. Security guards complete their biannual range requalification at this partner facility.
• SAP LitmoscoreTechnology or IntegrationAward-winning online education and learning management system used for course registration and delivery of self-paced online courses including Guard Card training, Pepper Spray Permit, Electronic Control Device Training, and more.
• MindBodyOnLinesupportingTechnology or IntegrationRegistration and data management systems provider used for course registration and scheduling. MindBodyOnLine is described as a well-known provider with excellent reputation for data security.
• MILO (Scenario-Based Training Technology)coreTechnology or IntegrationScenario-based training technology provider for MILO simulator system used in Active Shooter Response courses and de-escalation training. Provides force options simulator for realistic decision-making under extreme stress.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Tactical Defense Institute (TDI): Ohio-based tactical firearms and security training school offering handgun, rifle, low-light, and scenario courses for civilians, law enforcement, and security personnel. Comparable in scenario-based instructor-led training delivery to PDS's MILO simulator offering.
• Magpul Dynamics: Firearms training brand from Magpul offering defensive handgun and rifle courses through certified instructors. Comparable to PDS in defensive firearms curriculum and use of instructor-led live-fire training.
• Rangemaster (Tom Givens): Long-running civilian defensive firearms and concealed carry training operation led by Tom Givens, offering instructor certification and student courses. Comparable to PDS's CCW and defensive handgun curriculum.
• Executive Security International (ESI): Specialized executive protection and security training school offering protective operations, security driver, and tactical courses. Comparable to the executive protection / specialized security training portion of Joel Persinger's offering.
• Front Sight Firearms Training: Prominent Nevada-based defensive firearms training academy offering handgun, rifle, shotgun, and scenario courses for civilians and security professionals. Closely comparable to PDS in scenario-based defensive training model and CCW/defensive curriculum.
• Gunsite Academy: Long-established Arizona-based firearms training academy offering defensive handgun, rifle, shotgun, and instructor certification courses. Highly comparable to PDS in scenario-based defensive training and CCW/concealed carry offerings.
• USCCA (United States Concealed Carry Association): National concealed carry membership and training organization offering CCW classes, certification, and educational content across many U.S. states. Direct competitor to PDS's CCW course line, with substantially broader geographic reach and digital delivery.
• Sig Sauer Academy: Operates a premier firearms training academy offering handgun, rifle, shotgun, and scenario-based courses for civilians, law enforcement, and security professionals. Directly comparable to PDS in tactical/defensive firearms curriculum and customer segment, though at much larger national scale.

Broad incumbents

• NRA Training: The National Rifle Association's training division offering firearms safety, personal protection, and instructor certification courses nationwide. Overlaps with PDS's defensive firearms and concealed carry curriculum but operates at national scale and broader scope.

Emerging players

• Massad Ayoob Group (MAG-20): Specialized advanced firearms training program focused on use-of-force, defensive handgun, and concealed carry. Comparable to PDS's higher-tier scenario and de-escalation courses, but operates more as a niche specialty program than a full-service academy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/PracticalDefenseSystems
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/practical-defense-systems

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Practical Defense Systems