Artemis Defense Institute

Lake Forest, United States

4.9

Open now

20 reviews

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Telephone:
+1 949-305-6586
Website:
www.artemisdefenseinstitute.com
Address:
11 Spectrum Pointe Dr, Lake Forest, CA, 92630
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
2.2 miOCTA
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Today

Today 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Open now
Local time (Lake Forest) 12:47 Sunday, 22 June 2025

Business hours

Monday –
Tuesday –
Wednesday 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Thursday 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Friday 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Sunday 10:00 am – 8:00 pm

Description

Specialties

Artemis Defense Institute is a simulation based training facility focusing on firearms training along with less lethal options. The systems used at the facility was once only available to law enforcement and military agencies but has opened it doors to civilians in Southern CA.

History

Established in 2013.

The actual journey begins in July 2012… after many iterations, the basic business model for the Artemis Defense Institute was designed… A design which included the passion for guns, knowledge and teaching. By late August, a trip out to Tempe, Arizona was warranted, where the couple Steven and Sandy would go and demo the VirTra Systems for the first time. There was instant chemistry!

«We knew the business platform could prove to be successful if we planned and executed accordingly.» They brought the first of their purchases: VirTra 100 home in late November. For the next three months the 12×8 screen filled their family room where they were visited by friends and family members who would test and trial the systems. By late December, the deposit to the building was made, the permit process through the city started and Virtra Systems given the order to build a new VirTra 180 and 300… and the execution component of our plan… initiated.

Meet the Business Owner

Steven and Sandy L.

Business Owner

Steven’s shooting career began at the age of eight as a boy scout. An avid hunter and long distance shooter, he holds multiple NRA instructor ratings and has been an active member of the State Bar of CA since 1995. His understanding of civil/​criminal liabilities and the limitations of lethal/​non-​lethal use of force has been instrumental in the development of the ADI curriculum. Steven has also focused his training protocols to highlight the psychological and physiological responses to threat mitigation.

Sandy has long been a passionate advocate for education and learning. Her years of experience as the owner of a tutoring company, her degree in Industrial Organization as well as her background in hotel management lends her ability to develop the business model for which the Artemis Defense Institute was founded upon. Sandy’s non-​shooter status was a conscious effort in order to cultivate the program in which non-​shooter could find as an entry into home self defense and the sport

Nearby

Browse nearby places:
330
ft
Vis-A-Vis Communications
103 N Pointe Dr
400
ft
Soo Health Care
17 Spectrum Pointe Dr Ste 506
410
ft
Dexterous Industries
17 Spectrum Pointe Ste 509
560
ft
FUSION Corporate
40 Empire Dr
620
ft
Professional Veterinary Assistant School
21 Spectrum Pointe Ste 101
620
ft
SignsRx
6 Journey Ste 300

20 reviews of Artemis Defense Institute

No registration required
Place rating: 5
Covina, CA
I recently took my wife to the facility to get some firearm safety training; I’ve been there before. This was her first I’ve there.
What an amazing group of people. From the owners, whom are directly involved, to the instructor who really knows what he is doing. Every aspect of the training was very through and professional. If you think you know firearms, I suggest you attend a one-​hour session to «really» know firearm handling, safety, laws, and situation awareness. I guarantee you will learn something new. I did and I’m ex military with eight years of training. I learned more then one piece of critical information during a one-​hour advanced session. The entire facility is world class, high tech, and very realistic 3-​D training equipment. I can’t wait to go back and take the next level of training.
Place rating: 5
Los Angeles, CA
As a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu I understand the importance of good detailed instruction and drilling for muscle memory. This school offers both and their classes are really fun! Recommend for all
Place rating: 5
Fountain Valley, CA
Artemis is an amazing place for ANYONE interested in shooting and handling firearms. They don’t just teach you how to shoot, they teach you how to think. Teaching Safety is always a priority and Steven and Sandy have set up an amazing environment to learn. The instructors are top notch with years of experience and most of all they are patient. I used to go to the range weekly, now I am saving money and learning more by being a member of Artemis. My wife, a non shooter really enjoyed Artemis when she came and took a tour with Sandy. I have many friends who are coming and are enjoying their experience.
Place rating: 5
Aliso Viejo, CA
I’ve now been to 4 group classes at Artemis and had 1 hour of private instruction. The whole experience is top notch. I’d honestly recommend their training to anyone who owns a firearm. It is just as valuable to civilian gun owners as it would be to law enforcement.
Their Defensive Shooting 101 series is perfect for someone who is newer to shooting and trying to develop their skills. Having brought two people who have literally never held a gun before, I’d suggest booking a couple 30 minute one on one sessions before getting into their 101 class so you can get extreme basics down. By extreme basics, I mean how to work the magazines, slide, sight alignment, etc. They do cover this in the 101 but for the ladies I brought, a private session would have been beneficial before the group class for them.
The 300 simulator is simply amazing. It is far more realistic than I was expecting. When they queued up the first scenario, I could feel my heart rate go up. Running through different every day scenarios is invaluable training. The debrief after each scenario gives you time to reflect on the things you did correctly and the areas where you can improve.
The entire staff here are nothing but great. I’ve trained with 3 different instructors and they have all been extremely proficient in teaching. Their is usually only 4 people shooting at any given time which allows them to closely watch each person and critique when necessary.
If I had to be extra critical and change anything, there would really only be one very minor complaint. That is the recoil of the guns, which is simulated via Co2 canisters in the magazine, is probably on the light side. I wish their was a way to turn it up slightly.
Bottom line, anyone that owns a handgun should visit Artemis. I’d be there everyday if I could.
Place rating: 5
Fairfax, VA
Yesterday was my second experience at ADI and it was fantastic! I brought my fiancé and my Mom — both first timers. They loved it! BLUF:
— go here and train as often as possible
— Steve, Craig and his staff are top shelf for this type of training
— this is the smartest thing you can do for yourself and your loved ones in today’s world
— great way to build skills in a way that cannot be duplicated on any range (square or dynamic)
— As close to force-​on-​force as you can get w/​o actual FOF training
— will teach you a great deal about yourself
— I posted a more in-​depth review here:
— I wish this was mandatory training for all citizens.
Place rating: 5
Laguna Niguel, CA
The owners and staff at Artemis have it figured out. What an amazing place to train. I have military and police weapons training and I feel my skills improved in just one class. Learned things the first day I was never taught or told before. Love the philosophy and the teaching/​training environment. If you are looking for defense training, look no further. I will be using them to add to my training.
Place rating: 5
Huntington Beach, CA
Amazing experience. Considerably more than I expected from the 16 hour CCW course and loads of fun as well. Immediately signed up for additional training with Artemis. Instructors we had were all 10’s!
Don
Place rating: 5
Irvine, CA
Love, love this place. I will recommend this place for everyone. Best place for beginners to advanced individuals.
Place rating: 5
Mission Viejo, CA
I can only give high praise to Steve, Sandy and the entire staff. I took my CCW certification class from Artemis and it was very informative, fun and professional. I have joined as a member because you can never be truly proficient without continued education and practice. I am looking forward to becoming more consciously competent. Thank you for your patience and for helping me to begin my journey.
Place rating: 5
Fullerton, CA
If merely having a firearm makes you feel safe, I would strongly suggest you reconsider and undertake some training at Artemis to develop your confidence in the ability to survive, heaven forbid, in the event you ever had to use it. I have had firearms training from professional IPSC/​USPSA shooters to military training; however, I have never had training from a defensive posture, to which Artemis has just broached the subject for me. I recently took their CCW course and was very impressed how much relevant information they were able to instill into me in a 16 hour period. The staff at Artemis is very competent technically and tactically, yet humble and friendly. They are consummate teachers and genuinely care for your safety and abilities to perform if you have to defend yourself.
Place rating: 5
Irvine, CA
Total package of fun and knowledge. Great for anyone with a skill level for anyone. Whether you are experienced or never held a gun before, there is something to gain for everyone. I came here with my wife and we both had a blast. It’s amazing how much we were able to learn and get in from just a 1 hour session. We were able to have the owner (actually, his wife is the owner) be our trainer who is not only a great public speaker (as mentioned in another review) but he is also an attorney who specializes in the legalities of weapon use and is an advisor to law enforcement. So he knows what he is talking about. I highly recommend giving this place a shot!
Place rating: 5
Trabuco Canyon, CA
A big thanks to Steve and Sandy at Artemis Defense Institute. Rather than take the family to a Sunday movie, we tried something new and completed a 2 hour training session. Mike was an amazing instructor. My wife, daughter, and son are so much more confident handling a pistol now. The real life simulator was amazing. Well worth the investment and would highly recommend to anybody, especially a beginner like myself, looking for basic weapons training.
Place rating: 5
Hacienda Heights, CA
Thank you to Sandy and the rest of the team for your dedication to help keep life and property safe and secure. Your refined training was precise and professional; I had picked up some habits over the years and your guidance is so appreciated. Per your advice, I’ve been practicing diligently and have erased those habits and have acquired new muscle memory.
I can’t thank you enough for you enough and will HIGHLY recommend Artemis Defense Institute to my family and friends!
Place rating: 5
Flagstaff, AZ
I had a bachelor party at Artemis which was a fantastic experience. Being in law enforcement, I wanted to give my «civilian» friends and family a sneak peak into what it takes to have a warrior mind set.
The instructor’s were great in walking everyone through the very basics of firearm safety and fundamentals. We used real Glock 22 pistols that simply had the internals removed and replaced with simulator technology. The magazines used had Co2 inside that cycled the slide everytime you shot giving you a real sensation that the firearm was being discharged.
The instructor’s ran everyone through the simulator range where we smoothed out everyone’s shooting fundamentals and skills. We also had a fun competition on the dueling tree which everyone enjoyed.
The icing on the cake was defiantly the 300 degree Virtra simulator which put everyone through different scenarios where you had to act accordingly to any threat that presented itself. After each scenario, the instructors gave feedback and training advice which was not at all condescending. They truly want you to learn form the experience and provide you with instruction on how to win in any violent encounter.
Overall the experience was above and beyond everyone’s expectations. Also, not bad on the pocket book either. 53 bucks for each person for 3 hours of instruction and shooting. If I didn’t live in another state, I would have already signed up to a membership with ADI. Keep up the good work ADI!
Place rating: 5
Lake Forest, CA
Once again I had another great session with the Artemis team!!! I wanted to write about those who posted negative reviews because it seems to me that either the opinions are bias or just a plain negative attitude torwards different individuals level of skill. I have never been asked or told to buy something in fact I have had HOURS of the companies «time off the clock» to discuss, plan and prepare for my training needs.
Not only has Steve and Sandy personally helped me off «the clock» (very genrous) with my personal needs as well as visitors I have brought in, the staff has done the same on many occasions.
This is my two cents and I just find it very hard to qualify what has been written with what I have personally witnessed all year.
On another note is seems like at least 50% of the reviews done by individuals have been in some way negative for other companies as well.
Keep up the GREAT work Artemis team!!!
Place rating: 2
Hacienda Heights, CA
The experience of a virtual simulator is pretty fun but what turns me off from this place is that the owner, Steve, spends a good amount of your time trying to upsell you on classes, new programs, and events. When you’re paying ~$ 60-​$ 80 an hour, a 15 minute sales pitch takes a quarter of the time that YOU paid for.
I’m fine with getting informed of new programs and opportunities that are going on with the facility but do it on your own time or give me extra time to compensate for the time lost.
I’ve been here a total of 3 different occasions. I bought credits before hand so I had to use them. I will not be coming back. I can watch commercials for free on my TV.
Place rating: 5
Cypress, CA
Who would have thought a «Date Night» at a shooting facility could be so much fun?! My husband and I recently visited Artemis for their monthly date night event. Like any great evening there was a romantic ambience with dim lighting, flowers, music and a tasty meal. This was a wonderful way to start out the night!
After dinner, Steve and Sandy Lieberman (owners) oriented our group which was made up of couples varying in age and skill level. We all felt comfortable and everyone was very friendly. Their professional instructors led us through firearm basics, simulated scenarios and provided experienced feedback. We learned a lot during this fun event.
Before visiting Artemis, we didn’t know what to expect. We left feeling better educated on basic self defense and eager to learn more. We would definitely recommend Artemis to our friends and family in the future. We had a wonderful time and look forward to visiting again soon!
Place rating: 5
Orange County, CA
Wow. Steve & team do an outstanding job. Family owned with extreme knowledge from real world experience coming from an attorney specializing in the field.
I was mesmerized with the content & the hands on teaching was invaluable
If you want to graduate from being a «sheep», then call Artemis. They have a training program that can be customized for each member of the family
Place rating: 5
Mission Viejo, CA
Just finished a 16 hour course at Artemis Defense Institute and I couldn’t be more impressed. The staff was fantastic. I have been to several Orange County gun ranges /​training centers where you feel like a second glass gun owner… not at Artemis. Owners Steven and Sandy (and all the other team members) are nothing but professional, courteous, knowledgeable, and best of all… want to share that knowledge in a safe, informative, and realistic environment.
I would highly recommend Artemis Defense Institute for new gun owners seeking training, veteran owners looking to polish their skills or get a little more insight into combat tactics, or folks working towards their CCW.
I will definitely be back! My only issue is Unilocal doesn’t have 6 stars!
Place rating: 5
Escondido, CA
If you are new to firearms or want to challenge yourself this is a great location. The instructors are terrific and do their best to challenge you to improve on each course of fire. I served 11 and ½ years in the Marine Corps as a Infantryman and Embassy Guard and can say without question this was quality instruction on the use of firearms and tactics.
Cannot wait to come back for some more training.