E3 Personal Defense

E3 Personal Defense is a firearms training company run by Joy Allen, a Rangemaster-certified instructor and NRA Training Counselor. They teach NRA and USCCA courses throughout Raleigh, North Carolina—from beginner orientation classes to advanced defensive pistol and rifle instruction.

NRA Course Lineup: - NRA First Steps Pistol Orientation - NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting - NRA Pistol Marksmanship Simulator - NRA First Steps Rifle Orientation - NRA Basics of Rifle Shooting - NRA Defensive Pistol - NRA Personal Protection Inside the Home (DP1) - NRA Personal Protection Outside the Home (DP2) - NRA Refuse to Be a Victim® Seminar - NRA Range Safety Officer Certification

USCCA & NC-Specific Courses: - NC DOJ Certified Concealed Carry Handgun Courses - USCCA Certified Concealed Carry courses - USCCA Range Safety Officer training

Additional Services: - Private one-on-one instruction - Group events and community outreach - Virtual range training - Instructor certification programs (both NRA and USCCA) - Chief Range Safety Officer certification

Joy Allen, PhD – Owner and lead instructor. She's a Rangemaster Certified Basic & Advanced Firearms Instructor, USCCA Certified Training Counselor, NRA Certified Training Counselor, and holds IFSA and GLOCK Armorer certifications. She's also certified in Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response (ALERRT) and Stop the Bleed® training. Joy founded InHER Piece, a ladies' shooting club, and was named 2022 NAAGA Woman of the Year.

Chris Allen – Co-owner, Marine Corps Veteran, NRA Certified Pistol Instructor and Range Safety Officer, NC DOJ Certified Concealed Carry Instructor.

LaTonya Bufford – NRA Certified Pistol Instructor, USCCA Certified Instructor, GLOCK Armorer. Joined E3 in 2022 and leads InHER Piece's Programs and Events.

• •Instructor mentorship: Joy serves as both an NRA and USCCA Certified Training Counselor, meaning she trains and certifies other instructors nationwide. E3 runs dedicated instructor development courses if you want to become certified yourself.
• •Women-focused programs: InHER Piece Ladies' Shooting Club and Queens of Defense (QOD) provide community and instruction specifically for women.
• •Accessibility for beginners: Multiple reviews highlight how comfortable instructors make first-timers feel. The focus is on safety, thorough explanation, and building confidence—not rushing through material.
• •Diverse certifications: Beyond basic pistol and rifle, they offer specialized training in active shooter response (CRASE), personal protection scenarios, and range safety officer roles.

Call 984-833-E3PD (3373) for: - Private instruction scheduling - Group events - Community outreach inquiries - Instructor development program questions

Online course registration available through their website for public courses and USCCA certifications.

"Phenomenal class led by Joy and Chris! They were incredibly thorough, explaining each part of the process and making first timers feel comfortable along the way. Safety was their upmost priority and we left feeling educated, informed and ready to take the next steps." – Danaka W.

E3 Personal Defense's motto is "Excellence in Empowerment Education" (Educate, Empower, Enthuse). Their 2026 manifesto emphasizes that "to be dangerous is not to be violent. It is to be capable." They train disciplined, aware, intentional shooters—not reckless ones.

They do NOT sell firearms or ammunition. They focus exclusively on education and training.