The team

Ben

Ben founded Artifex Firearms Training after a career in the U.K. in both law and the military. As a U.K. attorney (barrister) he appeared in over 2,000 cases in the equivalent of district, appellate and military courts. Switching to serve in the British Army he passed Selection in 1999 as a Reservist, retiring in 2012, with operational tours of Afghanistan, Iraq and Kurdistan. His military specialties included special mission unit patrols, combat medic, designated marksman and close-protection operator. Ben became a U.S. citizen in September 2018 and is very proud to call himself an American. He became a dad late in life in order to reduce the average male age in his house.

Dave

Dave is the nicest man you’ll meet, and a patient instructor, but his mild demeanor conceals a deep knowledge of unarmed combat, improvised and edged weapons. He will tell us more about himself when he finally trusts us - sometime around 2030.

JEREMY

Jeremy is a Marine Corps Veteran, worked 7+ years in Executive Protection/PSD (Private Security Details), and most recently worked in law enforcement and was a member of his department’s SWAT Team. 

Currently, Jeremy is a competitive shooter representing The Recon/Sniper Foundation and believes that every person should have the knowledge and skill set to safely and effectively protect themselves and their families. Jeremy is a lifetime student and passionately passes on the knowledge and life experience he has gained to his students.

BIG TONY

Big Tony Alvarez is a certified NRA RSO (Range Safety Officer) and an instructor for Artifex, he has been shooting for well over 30yrs. He has trained extensively in personal carry and tactical pistol, low light, carbine and long-range rifle applications and techniques. Big Tony has a martial arts background spanning over 40yrs and teaches students and seminars privately across the US. He has traveled extensively in South East Asia, India, Bangladesh, Central America and Mexico as a security professional and for action sports related business. Surfing is his thing and he has been known to do just about anything for good waves and tacos.

JAMES P.

Competitive shooter, avid consumer of ammunition, CZ aficionado, and more. James is as happy teaching private lessons (from Beginner to Advanced/Competitive Pistol) to group classes.