About SAFED

Who We Are

SAFED (Standards Association for Firearms Education & Defensive Competency) is a nonprofit professional organization dedicated to establishing and elevating standardized training guidelines in civilian defensive firearms education. We bridge the critical gap between gun ownership and practical self-defense competency.

According to RAND Corporation research, approximately 61% of gun owners have received some form of training, leaving a significant portion without foundational knowledge. Even more concerning, studies reveal that most standard permit classes focus primarily on basic safety rather than real-world defensive skills. SAFED addresses this training gap with evidence-based standards that prepare civilians for the psychological and physiological realities of defensive situations.

Our nationally recognized credentialing system, performance standards, and curriculum guidelines are research-backed, stress-tested, and designed to transform how civilians approach self-defense preparation.

Discover Our Mission

Why Choose SAFED?

What makes SAFED different from other firearms organizations?

Unlike traditional training organizations, we don’t teach shooting—we establish the standards for what should be taught. Our approach is built on three core principles:

Performance Under Pressure

We certify both instructors and students based on their ability to demonstrate competence during stress-inducing scenarios, not just static range performance—because target shooting and defensive shooting utilize different skill sets.

Science-Backed Standards

Our guidelines incorporate findings from law enforcement research, human physiology, and defensive psychology. We analyze how adrenaline affects decision-making and motor skills, then build training protocols that account for these realities.

Real-World Application

We emphasize shoot/no-shoot decision-making, scenario-based training, and legal use-of-force understanding—elements often overlooked in traditional firearms education.

How do SAFED certifications benefit civilian gun owners?

Whether you’re new to firearms or seeking to validate your existing training, SAFED provides a clear pathway to verified competency that goes beyond basic handling. Our tiered certification system allows you to demonstrate measurable skills that matter when seconds count.

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