Our Story
From Indifference to Advocacy
For a long time, my stance on firearms was one of indifference. While I firmly believed in the right to self-defense, I never personally felt the pull toward gun ownership. That changed when my son developed an interest in shooting. I realized I couldn't stop his curiosity, so I made it my mission to ensure he entered the world of firearms the right way—with safety and respect as his foundation.
The true turning point, however, happened at home. When I bought my son his first rifle, my family’s initial discomfort shifted into a profound realization: if these tools are in our lives, we have a collective responsibility to understand them. The household collectively went from "I'm not comfortable with this in the house" to "If it's here you might was well teach all of to use it". I began to look at the world differently. I thought about my daughter living on her own one day and realized that a firearm, handled responsibly, provides a fighting chance in an unpredictable world.
I founded Phalanx Defense after seeing the high standards of the USCCA curriculum. I saw a path for the "indifferent" person to become a confident, responsible protector. My mission is to bridge that gap for others—to provide the training that turns a daunting responsibility into a lifesaving skill.
John Mabasa, Founder
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(301) 337-9050
Service Area
We serve the greater Washington, DC metro area, including Maryland (Montgomery, Prince George’s, and surrounding counties).
Class Locations:
We use different locations across the Maryland/DC area. Details will be state on the registration page.
Private Group Classes:
We offer private group CCW certification classes at a location that works for your group within the Maryland/DC area. Reach out to schedule.