Warrior Woman Firearms Training

Shelley Esposito isn't just a firearms instructor—she's a Senior Financial Investigator with the North Carolina Department of Justice and a working police officer. That background shapes everything she teaches. Her courses don't just cover "how" to shoot safely; she weaves in the "why" and builds realistic defensive scenarios throughout.

"I weave real-life scenarios into every training, allowing students to get the most out of their time with me and on the range."

• •USCCA Certified — Concealed Carry & Home Defense Fundamentals
• •NRA Certified — Basic Pistol, Personal Protection Inside the Home, Refuse To Be A Victim
• •Chief Range Safety Officer
• •North Carolina State Credentialed — Concealed Carry instruction
• •Armed Women of America Chapter Leader — Youngsville, NC

One-on-one instruction, 1 hour. Includes firearm use and targets (bring your own ammo). Can include one additional person.

Tailor-made to what you need. Same 1-hour format, up to two students. You describe what you're after, she builds the lesson around it.

9-10 hours total. This is the state-mandated course required to apply for an NC CCH permit. Eight hours classroom (minimum 2 hours on NC concealed carry law), followed by shooting qualification and written exam. You must land at least 21 of 30 shots within the 7-ring of a B27 target across three distances (3, 5, 7 yards).

4+ hours. For students who already have their permit. Covers safe drawing, presentation, and reholstering from concealment. Includes classroom review of state law updates and the Castle Doctrine, dry-fire drills, then live-fire practice with increasingly difficult scenarios.

4+ hours. For new shooters and those wanting a refresher. Covers pistol parts, operation, safe handling, ammunition types, shooting positions, marksmanship fundamentals. No prerequisites.

4+ hours. Bridges Basic Handgun to defensive courses. Focuses on repeating and mastering fundamentals, building confidence, introducing defensive mindset. Expect 150-200 rounds of live fire.

Built to progress through each other. Defensive Handgun I emphasizes safe handling and defensive fundamentals. Defensive Handgun II adds holster work and drawing under pressure. Defensive Handgun III trains low-light and no-light shooting, one-handed techniques, and flashlight integration.

2 hours. Learn to field strip, clean, maintain, and reassemble your handgun(s). Bring your manual and cleaning supplies.

• •Handgun Fundamentals 101 (Co-ed and Women's versions)
• •Intro to Shotgun
• •CCH Legal Refresher
• •USCCA Seminars & Mini-Courses
• •Situational Awareness
• •Defensive Shooting Fundamentals
• •Use of Force
• •Gear & Gadgets
• •Should I Shoot?
• •Violent Encounters & Their Aftermath
• •Developing a Defensive/Survival Mindset
• •Real Estate Agent Safety
• •Personal & Home Protection Planning
• •Is Owning a Gun for Protection Right For Me?

If you're looking for community, Shelley leads the local Armed Women of America chapter. Meetings are first and third Thursday of each month, 6:15-8:15 PM. It's a space for women who shoot and want to keep learning together.

She specializes in working with new and newer shooters, especially women—but trains people of all skill levels, backgrounds, and experience. She develops custom dry-fire drills for home training and shooting drills for range work, tailored to each student's goals. Her approach: confidence through realistic training, not just marksmanship.

• •Want to talk first? She offers a free 15-minute phone consultation to discuss what you're looking for.

• •Based in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area (including Cary, Youngsville, and surrounding areas).