Dewar, Iowa. Serving Waterloo, Cedar Falls and Black Hawk County.

Home Defense & Firearm Safety Training in Dewar, Iowa

Iowa and Minnesota non-resident concealed carry, home defense, handgun, AR-15 and first aid classes, taught by USCCA-certified instructor Harold Spivey.

See all 21 classes Call or text Harold: (319) 610-8463
  • USCCA-certified instructor
  • 15+ years of handgun and AR-15 experience
  • 21 classes: firearms, first aid and church safety
  • Beginner and women's classes

A firearm doesn't make a home safer. Training does.

Buying a handgun takes an afternoon. Learning to handle it safely, store it responsibly and make sound decisions under pressure takes real training. That gap between owning and being ready is what Family Home Defense Tactics exists to close.

Harold Spivey teaches the way he believes everyone should be taught: safety first, one clear step at a time, with the reason behind every rule. You leave knowing what to do, why you do it, and how to keep doing it right.

Find your class

Four ways to get ready. Start where you are today.

Concealed carry & firearm safety

Carrying a firearm is a serious responsibility. Learn the safety principles, mindset and legal considerations that come with it, so you carry with knowledge, not guesswork.

View concealed carry classes

Handgun fundamentals & marksmanship

Grip, stance, sight alignment, trigger control. Build the fundamentals step by step, with an instructor beside you, until safe handling and accurate shooting feel natural.

View handgun classes

First aid, bleeding control & emergency preparedness

In a real emergency, the first minutes matter. Learn first aid and bleeding control basics that let you act calmly until help arrives.

View first aid classes

Church & community safety

Your congregation trusts you with their safety. Learn to spot risks, plan ahead and prepare your team to respond calmly.

View church safety classes

Serious about safety. Patient with beginners.

Safety comes before everything

Every skill we teach is built on the fundamentals of firearm safety, because a confident gun owner is a safe one.

Taught by someone who has done it for years

Harold is a USCCA-certified instructor with more than 15 years of handgun and AR-15 training experience, in the classroom and on the range.

Built for beginners

Never held a firearm? Our beginner classes are for you. Start at the beginning and learn at your own pace.

Protection is bigger than the range

First aid, bleeding control, situational awareness and church safety mean your family or congregation is better prepared, not only the person holding the firearm.

USCCA-certified
firearms instructor

Meet Harold Spivey, your instructor.

Harold founded Family Home Defense Tactics to give families, new gun owners and church communities in and around Dewar access to practical, responsible training.

With more than 15 years of handgun and AR-15 experience, he combines classroom teaching with hands-on range coaching. His approach: explain the reason behind each skill, keep safety at the center, and help every student build confidence at a pace that works for them.

"EDIT: one or two sentences from Harold on why he teaches."Harold Spivey
15+years of handgun and AR-15 experience
21classes, from firearms to first aid
USCCAcertified instructor
  • Classroom instruction and hands-on range coaching
  • Beginner-friendly classes, including a women's basic pistol class
  • Firearms, first aid, bleeding control and church safety training
Call or text Harold See all classes

21 classes. One place to start.

Pick a category or page through them all, six at a time. Dates, prices and what to bring: call or text (319) 610-8463.

Concealed carry

Minnesota Non-Resident CCW Course

Dates and price: call or text.

Ask about this class

Concealed carry + home defense

Concealed Carry Home Defense Course

Dates and price: call or text.

Ask about this class

Handgun and AR-15

Marksmanship Simplified, Course 1

Dates and price: call or text.

Ask about this class

Handgun and AR-15

Marksmanship Simplified, Course 2

Dates and price: call or text.

Ask about this class

Handgun and AR-15

Basic Beginners Handgun Training on the Range

Group or private instruction

Dates and price: call or text.

Ask about this class

First aid and medical

Emergency First Aid Fundamentals

Dates and price: call or text.

Ask about this class

First aid and medical

Building Your Own First Aid Kit

Dates and price: call or text.

Ask about this class

First aid and medical

Mass Casualty Incidents and the Triage System

Dates and price: call or text.

Ask about this class

First aid and medical

Save a Life: Control the Bleed

Dates and price: call or text.

Ask about this class

First aid and medical

Save a Life: Restart the Heart

Dates and price: call or text.

Ask about this class

Church and public safety

Protecting the Church

Dates and price: call or text.

Ask about this class

Church and public safety

How to Identify a Public Threat

Dates and price: call or text.

Ask about this class

Church and public safety

Countering the Mass Shooter

Dates and price: call or text.

Ask about this class

Not sure which class is right for you?

Tell Harold your goal and experience level, and he'll point you to the right class.

Call or text Harold: (319) 610-8463

Schedules, prices and prerequisites may change. Students are responsible for knowing and following all applicable laws and safety requirements.

Real preparedness goes beyond the range.

Most emergencies don't start with a firearm. They start with an injury, a surprise, or a moment when you need to know what to do. We teach that too.

Whether it's your family or your congregation, we can help you build skills and a simple plan you can actually use.

Explore first aid classes
  • First aid and emergency response
  • Bleeding control and emergency care
  • Situational awareness and recognizing threats early
  • Church and community safety planning

Three steps. No pressure.

  1. Pick your goal

    Safe handling, shooting skills, concealed carry, first aid or church safety.

  2. Choose a class

    Browse the classes above, then call or text to confirm the date, price and what to bring.

  3. Reserve your seat

    Call or text Harold at (319) 610-8463. Not sure which class fits? Ask, and he'll point you to the right one.

Browse the classes

Neighbors who trained with Harold

"EDIT: real student quote."

First name, town

"EDIT: real student quote."

First name, town

"EDIT: real student quote."

First name, town

Questions before you register?

Do I need experience to take a class?
No. Our beginner classes start from the first step: safety rules, how the handgun works and how to hold it. You learn at your own pace.
I've never touched a gun. Will I be comfortable?
Beginner classes are designed for exactly that. Harold explains each step and the reason behind it, so nothing is assumed.
Does the concealed carry class qualify for an Iowa permit?
Our concealed carry classes cover the safety principles and responsibilities of carrying. Call or text Harold to confirm what the current class covers and how it relates to Iowa permit requirements. Students are responsible for knowing and following Iowa law.
Do you offer a Minnesota non-resident concealed carry course?
Yes. We offer a Minnesota Non-Resident CCW Course. Call or text Harold at (319) 610-8463 for details.
Can you train my church or group?
Yes. Protecting the Church and our other community classes are designed for church staff, ministry leaders and community members. Call (319) 610-8463 to talk through your group's needs.
Can I take a private or group beginner class on the range?
Yes. Basic Beginners Handgun Training on the Range is available as a group or for a private individual. Call or text to set it up.
What should I bring to class?
Ask Harold when you reserve your seat, and he'll tell you what to bring for your specific class.
Where are classes held?
In and near Dewar, Iowa. Students come from Waterloo, Cedar Falls and surrounding communities.
How do I register?
Browse the classes, then call or text Harold at (319) 610-8463, or send an inquiry using the form below.

Be the person your family can count on.

You don't need to become an expert overnight. You just need to start. Reserve your seat in our next class and take the first step toward safe, confident, responsible ownership.

Register for a class Call or text (319) 610-8463

Not sure which class? Talk to Harold.

Tell us your goal and experience level, and we'll point you to the right class. Church and community sessions are available. Ask about your group.

Family Home Defense Tactics
Dewar, Iowa
Phone or text
(319) 610-8463
Serving
Dewar, Waterloo, Cedar Falls and Black Hawk County

This opens an email to Harold with your details filled in. Prefer to talk? Call or text (319) 610-8463.

Training is educational and does not guarantee any particular outcome. Students are responsible for knowing and following all applicable laws, safety requirements and course prerequisites. Schedules, prices and prerequisites may change.