E3 Personal Defense

Professional, Qualified Instructors Committed to Your Success!

TRAINING TEAM

JOY ALLEN

JOY ALLEN, PhD

Joy is the owner and lead instructor at E3 Personal Defense. She is also a certified Training Counselor with the National Rifle Association (NRA) and the United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA), tasked with certifying professional firearms instructors throughout the country.

When not on the range, Joy is dedicated to her career as an executive leader in Clinical Research. She is most proud of her roles as a wife and mother.

Certifications and Qualifications:

Founder, President & CEO, InHER PIECE Ladies' Shooting Clubs
Rangemaster Certified Instructor
NRA Certified Training Counselor
USCCA Certified Training Counselor
IFSA Certified Firearm Specialist
GLOCK Certified Armorer
Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response (ALERRT) Certified Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) Instructor
Pistol Practice Affiliate Instructor
Non-Lethal Defense and Security Consultant
Adult and Pediatric First Aid, CPR, and AED Certified, American Red Cross
Stop the Bleed® Certified, American College of Surgeons, Committee on Trauma
USCCA Certified Instructor
- Concealed Carry and Home Defense
- Marksmanship Simplified, Handgun Coaching
- Women's Handgun and Self-Defense
- Emergency First-Aid Fundamentals
- Countering the Mass Shooter
- Simulations
- Children's Firearms and Safety Fundamentals
USCCA Certified Range Safety Officer
NAAGA Certified Firearms Instructor
NC DOJ Certified Concealed Carry Handgun Course Instructor
NRA Certified Instructor
- Pistol and Marksmanship Fundamentals
- Rifle Shooting Fundamentals
- Defensive Pistol I (Personal Protection Inside the Home) Certified Instructor
- Defensive Pistol II (Personal Protection Outside the Home) Certified Instructor
- Refuse to Be a Victim® Instructor
NRA Certified Chief Range Safety Officer
NRA Women on Target® Clinic Staff Volunteer
Distinguished Expert in Pistol and Defensive Pistol (I & II), Winchester (NRA) Marksmanship Program
National African-American Gun Association (NAAGA)
- Queens of Defense (QOD) Founding Director & Program Coordinator, 2022-2023
- Executive Team Advisory Board, NAAGA, 2021-2023
- Leadership Team, Triangle NC Gun Club, (NAAGA), 2019-2023
- 2022 NAAGA Woman of the Year
- 2021 NAAGA Female Leadership Award
Memberships and Associations
- North Carolina Concealed Carry Instructors' Association (NCCCIA)
- A Girl and a Gun (AG&AG)
- Glock Sports Shooting Foundation (GSSF)
- National Sports Shooting Foundation (NSSF)
- International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA)
- Gunowners of America (GOA)
- Black Gun Owners Association (BGOA)
Fuquay-Varina Chapter Co-Leader, Armed Women of America (AWA)/The Well Armed Woman (TWAW), 2020-2024
USIDHR Certified Human Rights Consultant

Joy has been featured in several broadcasts, periodicals and blogs, including the IDPA Tactical Journal, USCCA Concealed Carry Magazine, NAAGA Sharpshooter, The Charlotte Post, VoyageRaleigh, ICON Weekly, among others. Most recently, Joy was honored by Cary Magazine as a 2024 Woman of Western Wake.

CHRIS ALLEN

CHRIS ALLEN

Chris is the co-owner of E3 Personal Defense. He is the proud father of two, Jaaron and Jasmine, and married to Joy Allen. He serves as a pastor, specializing in marriage counseling and mentorship for men striving to build strong families. Chris is also a Marine Corps Veteran, credentialed as an NRA Certified Pistol Instructor and Range Safety Officer (RSO). He is certified by the North Carolina Department of Justice as a Concealed Carry Instructor.

Chris is known for his colorful sense of humor and quick wit. In his spare time, he enjoys playing golf and XBOX sports games. His favorite firearms are the Colt 1911 and M-16. Chris' favorite quote is by James Baldwin: "Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them."

It should be noted that Chris is a very serious and committed fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers!

LATONYA BUFFORD

LaTonya began shooting in 2021 and immediately fell in love with the sport. Her talent was quickly evident, as she acquired qualifications as an NRA Certified Pistol Instructor, USCCA Certified Instructor, and Range Safety Officer. She is also a Certified Glock Armorer. LaTonya officially joined the E3 Personal Defense training team in 2022 and has been a crucial partner ever since. LaTonya's patience and compassion lend to her teaching style, as she is particularly gifted in guiding new and struggling shooters to consistently meet their goals.

LaTonya's love for education and empowering women has driven her to take on several pivotal roles in addition to her contributions through E3 Personal Defense. She serves as a member of the InHER Piece Executive Leadership Team, heading up Programs and Events for the organization. LaTonya is also a mother and successful leader in the corporate community with a career in Clinical Research.