About Ken
🔷 Ken Lantz – Founder & Lead Instructor
Ken Lantz is the Founder and Lead Instructor of 2A Elite Defense, LLC. A U.S. Air Force Security Forces veteran, Ken brings over 20 years of experience as a sworn County Sheriff and a lifelong dedication to firearms, personal protection, and defensive training.
Ken’s passion for self-defense and firearms began early in life and was further honed during his military service, where he trained extensively with all the various weapons the military offered. After completing his military service, Ken joined Southwest Airlines, working in both Chicago and Orlando. He later returned to Illinois as a corporate trainer at Midway Airport, leading instruction for ground operations and new hires.
Following the events of 9/11, Ken returned to law enforcement, continuing his career as a Sheriff while remaining actively involved in community training through youth soccer coaching and adult education.
Ken is a USCCA-Certified Firearms Instructor, a USCCA Range Safety Officer, and a Certified Personal Safety Instructor through Sabre Red. He has earned credentials in multiple disciplines including:
- Concealed Carry and Home Defense Fundamentals
- Countering the Mass Shooter Threat
- AR-15 Fundamentals
- Children’s Firearm & Safety Fundamentals
- Emergency First Aid Fundamentals
- USCCA LaserTRAIN
- Marksmanship Simplified: Handgun Coaching
Ken’s mission is simple: empower responsible citizens with the confidence, skills, and knowledge to protect themselves and their loved ones. He continues to serve his community with the same dedication, discipline, and integrity he brought to the military and law enforcement.
Learning Tools We Utilize
We utilize SIRT Training pistols and Training Program! Safe, effective, and innovative, the Shot Indicating Resetting Trigger (SIRT) Training Pistol will complement, not replace, live fire training.
We utilize the StrikeMan Dry-Fire Training System, because we understand the critical importance of honing your shooting skills to perfection. That's why we're proud to use their cutting-edge collection of Dry-Fire Systems designed to revolutionize your training regimen.
The Dry-Fire Systems are meticulously crafted to provide shooters of all levels with a realistic and immersive training experience right in the classrom. Whether you're a seasoned marksman looking to maintain peak performance or a beginner eager to build a solid foundation, we have training using the innovative StrikeMan system that can be tailored to meet your needs.
We also utilize the Mantis Training System, because we understand the critical importance of honing your shooting skills to perfection. That's why we're proud to use their cutting-edge collection of Dry-Fire Systems designed to revolutionize your training regimen.
MantisX is a gun training system that takes a data-driven approach to helping you achieve shooting mastery with no ammo required. Unlike some dry fire trainers, MANTISX works while attached to ANY firearm (pistol, rifle, or shotgun). By analyzing every shot and generating actionable data, MANTISX helps you improve your accuracy quickly.
We also just acquired the Mantis Blackbeard X system for AR-15's. This allows you practice real-world scenarios with your AR using your trigger, your grip, and your sights, with the Blackbeard Auto-resetting Trigger System. No alteration to your trigger pull and no alteration to the reset equals meaningful dry fire reps that translate directly to your live fire performance. Also important: no more having to run the recharge handle between every shot, so no training scars or development of improper muscle memory. Our Blackbeard’s optional laser indicator further enhances your training with visual representation of where your “shots” land, as it fires down the barrel with every press of the trigger.
