Active Response Training

Active Response Training focuses on preparing shooters and civilians for real criminal violence, not theoretical range scenarios. Instructor Greg Ellifritz has built the school around practical, evidence-based instruction that separates what actually works from industry assumptions.

Their curriculum covers:

• •Defensive pistol training - fundamentals, decision-making, and threat recognition
• •Medical response - systems collapse medical care and trauma response
• •Threat assessment - identifying instrumental vs. primal aggression, understanding actual attacker behavior
• •Specialized instruction - church security training, home defense, building tactics
• •Shotgun and long gun applications for defense and low-light scenarios

Active Response Training's approach is built on research into actual criminal encounters, not competition shooting or military tactics adapted to civilian use.

They regularly publish detailed analysis of force encounters, ballistics testing, and criminal behavior patterns. Their blog features guest experts in use of force law, medical training, and tactical response. Rather than selling "best practices," they examine what works and why.

Beyond classes, the school maintains extensive resources:

• •Regular "Weekend Knowledge Dump" posts linking to vetted articles and research
• •Deep-dive analyses of defensive scenarios (shooting through doors, defensive displays vs. brandishing, low-light tactics)
• •Guest instruction from recognized experts in church security, use of force law, and trauma medicine
• •Free resource guides including curated book lists and tactical reading recommendations

Classes run throughout 2025-2026. Their website lists available courses with detailed descriptions, instructor credentials, and student reviews.