Massad F. Ayoob, born on July 20, 1948, is a renowned firearms and self-defense instructor, author, and expert witness with over four decades of experience in the field. Since 1974, he has been educating both law enforcement personnel and private citizens on self-defense and firearms safety.
In 1981, Ayoob founded the Lethal Force Institute (LFI) in Concord, New Hampshire, where he served as director until 2009. Following this, he established the Massad Ayoob Group (MAG), continuing his commitment to high-quality firearms and self-defense training.
Ayoob has authored numerous books and over a thousand articles on firearms, combat techniques, self-defense, and legal issues. His notable works include “In the Gravest Extreme: The Role of the Firearm in Personal Protection” and “Deadly Force: Understanding Your Right to Self Defense,” both considered authoritative texts on the use of lethal force.
Throughout his career, Ayoob has held editorial positions with prominent publications such as Guns Magazine, American Handgunner, Gun Week, Guns & Ammo, and Combat Handguns. Since 1995, he has contributed self-defense and firearms-related articles to Backwoods Home Magazine.
In addition to his writing and teaching, Ayoob has served as an expert witness in numerous court cases since 1979, providing testimony on weapons and shooting incidents. He served as a part-time police officer in New Hampshire from 1972 until his retirement in 2017, achieving the rank of captain.
Ayoob’s contributions to firearms education and self-defense have been widely recognized. In 1998, he received the Outstanding American Handgunner of the Year Award. He was also the first individual to earn the title of Five Gun Master in the International Defensive Pistol Association. In September 2020, Ayoob was appointed president of the Second Amendment Foundation, reflecting his ongoing dedication to the preservation of individual firearm rights.
Through his extensive experience, publications, and teaching, Massad Ayoob has significantly influenced the fields of firearms training and self-defense, providing valuable insights and education to both law enforcement professionals and private citizens.