About Us

Kelly H Bivins

With a Degree in Business Administration, an NRA Law Enforcement Instructor & Training Counselor, and SLED Field Training Security Officer Instructor, Kelly has been a career professional firearms trainer with prominent training facilities since 2013. She is owner of 1st Defense Training, LLC since 2018, while maintaining certifications by the country’s top tier training organizations and maintaining both nationally accredited and State Certifications.  

Kelly’s STATEMENT:

I am always passionate at wanting to train and protect while passing along all my knowledge regarding firearms, medical first aid, personal protection, and the laws of self-defense.

Firearms Instructor Certifications

NRA Law Enforcement Certified Instructor 

NRA Training Counselor: Pistol, Rifle, & Shotgun 

State of South Carolina Field Training Security Officer – 

 Instructor, Officer, & Private Investigator 

State of South Carolina Conceal Weapons Permit Certified Instructor

State of North Carolina Conceal Carry Handgun Permit Certified Instructor 

USCCA Concealed Carry & Home Defense Certified Instructor

The Well-Armed Woman Certified Instructor

Armed Women of America Certified Instructor

NRA Basic/ Defensive Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun Certified Instructor 

NRA CCW / LTC Certified Instructor

NRA Personal Protection in the Home Certified Instructor

NRA Refuse to Be a Victim Certified Instructor

NRA Chief Range Safety Officer

UTM NRA Certified Non-Lethal Training Ammunition Instructor

UTM Certified Professional Training Organization

Range Master Instructor Development – Tom Givens 

Mag 20 – Masaad Ayoob 

Laws Governing Self Defense – NCDOJ 

Use of Force – NCDOJ & Nuclear Security 

Armorer – Smith & Wesson Pistol and Rifle, Glock

Executive Protection & Security Officer  

Certified Basic Dignitary Protection – KDI, Inc.  

Certified Intermediate Dignitary Protection – KDI, Inc.  

Nuclear Security Officer – Duke Energy 

Public Safety Officer, Assistant OIC– Novant Health 

Medical Certifications

Certified BLS / CPR Instructor – American Red Cross 

Certified AED Instructor – American Red Cross 

Certified First Aid Instructor – American Red Cross 

BCon Course Instructor - Stop the Bleed - US Dept. of Defense

Tactical Medical Solutions Associate Trainer Program (ATP) Member

TECC (Tactical Emergency Casualty Care) 

USCCA Emergency First Aid Certified Instructor 

Future KDI CERT Member (Community Emergency Response Team)

Emergency Management 

Certified Incident Command System, ICS-100 – FEMA

Certified Basic Command System for Initial Response, ICS-200 – FEMA 

Certified National Incident Management System, ICS-700 – FEMA 

Basic Management Course – IAHSS 

Intermediate Management Course – IAHSS 

Advance Management Course – IAHSS  

Always a student...

Volunteer 

Ladies Only Training Group

After more than eight years as a volunteer Chapter Leader and Certified Instructor for The Well-Armed Woman and Armed Women of America for North and South Carolina, Kelly created and leads her very own ladies only shooting and training group 1st Ladies and York County Chapter!  

Clover High School Clay Target Team 

Kelly started the USA Clay Target Team at CHS in 2019 as the Chief RSO, and now serves as the Head Coach to 30 male and female athletes, holding 1st place in the state for the last 5 seasons!