Carry Confident Defense Academy

The only thing more important than carrying a firearm is having the confidence to use it safely and accurately.

About

Carry Confident Defense Academy is a husband and wife co-teaching team serving Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, and Iredell Counties in North Carolina. We support a beginner-friendly environment across all platforms we offer. Our classes are designed to take a beginner and turn them into a well-prepared, comfortable, and seasoned firearms enthusiast and protector of their loved ones.

We keep our group classes small -- usually capped at 6-8 students with two instructors, giving you two different perspectives on many subjects. Private instruction can be tailored to suit your needs for both individuals and groups.

Special focus on helping women become more prepared to protect themselves and their families, whether with a firearm or a less-lethal option.

Meet Your Instructors

Christi and Blaine Fagel, the husband-and-wife instructor team at Carry Confident Defense Academy, at the range
Christi & Blaine Fagel

Christi Fagel

Director of Firearms Training

Christi grew up in a gun store and farm in Virginia, making her path into the firearms industry a natural fit in both sales and training. With years of experience in both firearms retail and instruction, she brings deep knowledge of the industry to every class.

With 7 years in the retail side of the gun business, Christi has gained extensive knowledge about different firearms and manufacturers, specializing in helping first-time gun buyers choose the best firearm for their needs and experience level. She quickly identified a need for more female instructors and became one in 2019.

Your home defense gun and your EDC (every day carry) gun are likely two very different guns. Christi can help show you why, and help you decide which ones are right for you.

Certifications:

NRA Certified Basic Pistol, RSO, Basic Home Firearms Safety
USCCA Concealed Carry & Home Defense Fundamentals
USCCA Women's Handgun & Self-Defense Fundamentals
USCCA Countering the Mass Shooter
USCCA Emergency First Aid Fundamentals
USCCA AR-15 Instructor
USCCA Non-Lethal Tools for Self Defense
USCCA Real Estate Agent Safety
USCCA Children's Firearms and Safety Fundamentals

Blaine Fagel

Co-Instructor

Blaine has been a lifelong firearms enthusiast. It was after meeting Christi in 2021 that he began the firearms instructor journey. For the past 15 years, he provided instruction for diesel technicians in the transit bus industry. The transition to firearms instruction has been deeply rewarding.

Christi and Blaine co-teach most classes together, sharing their combined expertise and perspectives. They are constantly continuing their education in the firearms world by seeking out and taking training from some of the best instruction in the nation.

It is Blaine's pleasure to see people leave training with confidence and ability they didn't have before. From new shooters to folks who have been out of practice, it is humbling to help people get to the place where they feel confident and competent to protect the ones they love.

Certifications: