Or text 404-988-0527 to book.
—LEAD INSTRUCTOR—
MARCUS
DARLING
NAVY SMALL ARMS INSTRUCTOR · 20 YEARS · NRA-CERTIFIED
Marcus served twenty years in the United States Navy, retiring as a Master-at-Arms First Class — the Navy's police and security force — Surface Warfare qualified. Along the way, the Navy formally certified him as a Small Arms Instructor: the sailor trusted to teach other sailors how to handle, carry, and use a firearm under pressure. He spent years running ranges, building drills, and turning brand-new shooters into people who could hold their own.
That's the work he does now at DTA — for civilians.
Marcus built this academy around a simple belief: personal protection is a skill, not a stunt. You don't master a skill in one afternoon. You build it in small, deliberate sessions, week after week, with someone who has the patience to meet you where you are. Fundamentals first. Repetition second. Confidence third. In that order. Every time.
"Walk in nervous. Walk out capable. Come back next week — and the week after that."
—FIRST-TIME SHOOTER'S PACKAGE—
Private instruction. All gear provided. Built for women, beginners, and students who want safer confidence with a firearm. Fundamentals training is the first step for anyone considering responsible firearm ownership or future concealed carry.
BEGINNER DAY
Designed for first-time and nervous shooters, including women who want patient, safety-first pistol instruction in a calm private setting. Best for students who need the basics, not advanced coaching or repeat refreshers.
- 1 hour of private beginner instruction
- 30 rounds of 9mm included
- Eye and ear protection provided
- Paper targets and lane time included
- Designed for new, nervous, and low-confidence shooters
MON · TUE · WED · FRI
For returning students, refreshers, and shooters who want private weekday instruction focused on continued confidence and skill-building.
- 1 hour of private instruction
- 30 rounds of 9mm included
- Eye and ear protection provided
- Paper targets and lane time included
- Good for refreshers and returning students
SAT · SUN
Premium weekend availability for private instruction with additional time for coaching, review, and confidence-building.
- 1.5 hours of private instruction
- 30 rounds of 9mm included
- Eye and ear protection provided
- Paper targets and lane time included
- Limited weekend availability
—WHAT TO BRING—
Bring a valid photo ID, closed-toe shoes, and comfortable range-appropriate clothing. Nothing else is required to start.
—GIFT A SESSION—
Want to gift a session? Text us to purchase private training for a spouse, friend, or first-time shooter.
—BRING SOMEONE—
Coming with a spouse, partner, or friend? Text us for a two-person private session rate.
—STUDENT FEEDBACK—
“Marcus made the training calm and easy to follow. I came in nervous and left feeling much more confident.”
“The session was clear, patient, and professional. I left with a better understanding of safety, grip, and control.”
“DTA gave me exactly what I needed: one-on-one coaching, no pressure, and every round had a purpose.”
Additional ammunition may be available on-site. Sessions held at Governor's Gun Club, Kennesaw. DTA beginner sessions are safety and fundamentals training, not a concealed carry permit course, legal-defense course, or armed security certification. Rescheduling requires at least 48 hours' notice; late cancellations or no-shows may forfeit the session fee.
—YOUR FIRST SESSION—
Four steps. Private coaching.
A whole new skill.
BOOK
Text or call to reserve your hour. We confirm same-day.
ARRIVE
Show up 15 minutes early. Sign the range waiver. Meet Marcus.
LEARN
Stance. Grip. Sight picture. Trigger. Then live fire — at your pace.
LEAVE
Thirty rounds downrange. Real fundamentals. Real confidence.
—WHAT YOU'LL TRAIN WITH—
Industry-standard platforms.
No surprises.
Every session uses proven, widely-owned platforms — so what you learn transfers directly to your own firearm.
GLOCK
17
9MM
The global standard in law enforcement and military sidearms. Full-size frame delivers maximum control for learning proper grip, sight alignment, and trigger discipline — exactly what fundamentals training demands.
SMITH & WESSON
M&P M2.0
9MM
Carry-sized. Built for real-world personal protection. Training on this platform prepares you for the realities of everyday concealed carry — same fundamentals, smaller footprint.
Prefer to train with your own? Bring it. Just let us know at booking.