Classes Offered

Are you interested in learning about the different types of pistols and how to safely operate them?

 Want to learn the fundamentals of shooting and become more accurate?  

This class if for you. It provides the student with the knowledge needed to safely handle and shoot a handgun. Youth are welcome to attend also. The course consists of discussions of the following areas:  *Universal safety rules  

*Basic knowledge, skills, and attitude for owning and operating a pistol safely.  

*Provides a hands-on introduction to the safe handling and proper orientation to one or more pistol action types (learn about pistols prior to purchasing one).  

*Pistol parts and operation  *Ammunition types  

*Shooting fundamentals  

*Provides an introduction to defensive shooting fundamentals  *Range rules

The reason the USCCA training material exists is simple and profound: To save lives and bring security to our communities.

This course may be taken as a beginner or experienced gun owner.

Participants receive certificate of training.

*No live guns or ammunition in the classroom*

Here is a summary of the detailed topics covered in class:

• Developing a personal and home protection plan
  • conflict avoidance
  • situational awareness
  • cover & concealment
  • what having a permit means
• Self-Defense Firearm Basics
  • universal safety rules
  • safely clearing a firearm
  • learning about a gun's action
  • revolvers, semi-automatics, and modern striker-fired handguns
  • magazine and ammunition components
  • calibers of ammunition
  • care and storage
  • common malfunctions
• Defensive Shooting Fundamentals
  • defensive vs. marksmanship shooting
  • proper grip and stance
  • sighted, unsighted, and flash sighting alignments
  • trigger control
• Legal Use of Force
  • reasonable force
  • deadly force
  • use of force continuum
  • defense of the home
  • defending property
• Violent Encounters and Their Aftermath
  • physical affects of violent encounters in your body
  • physiological reactions
  • issuing commands
  • when your right to force ends
  • phone calls to make
  • interacting with police
  • preparing for legal defense
• Gear and Gadgets
  • holster styles
  • belts
  • lights and lasers
  • gun safes and storage
• Basic and Advanced Skills
  • creating a training program
  • non-live fire practice
  • fundamental drills
  • introducing your next class

  The following areas, mandated by the Illinois State Police, are addressed:

• Firearm safety
• Basic principles of marksmanship
• Care, cleaning, loading, and unloading of a concealed firearm
• All applicable State and Federal laws relating to the ownership, storage, carry, and transportation of a firearm
• Weapon handling

At the conclusion of your training, and successful completion of the shooting qualification, you will receive the appropriate documentation necessary to complete your application with the State of Illinois.

1. Current FOID card or applied for (if you need help we offer assistance with registration for $25) 
2. 30 rds of ammo. Not included
3. Firearm and 2-3 magazines (Firearm must be cased and unloaded.)
4. Hearing and eye protection (available for purchase if needed)
5. If you need to use a Firearm please let me know and you can rent one starting at $30.
6. **Fingerprints: Fingerprints are not required but do speed the time of processing by the State.**

This course will cover 2 hours of Illinois Concealed Carry Law and all updates or edits since your original certification.  

There is also 1 hour weapons handling and safety and a range qualification.

 21 out of 30 hits on the silhouette is required to receive a passing score.

A certificate will be provided for renewal purposes to the participant.

1. IL Conceal Carry License and current FOID card
2. 30 rds of ammo. Not included
3. Gun and 2-3 magazines (Firearm must be cased and unloaded.)
4. Hearing and eye protection (available for purchase if needed)

**Fingerprints are not required but do speed the time of processing by the State.

***Travel time and possible delays at  range not included in class time***

Reality-based, interactive training for your brain and skills without the price of ammunition! In this simulation training class, you will be put in realistic situations with video that responds to your choices which challenges your natural reaction to threats, giving you feedback in real time! We will begin with the building blocks of defensive shooting, the principles of the legal use of force, then experience multiple scenarios with various outcomes based on the decision process.  We will then examine the outcome in a debriefing session before returning to the scenario again.

• How to discourage dangerous threats 
• Ways to identify and avoid potentially dangerous situations 
• Protection at a safe distance 
• How to use SABRE products effectively and responsibly 
• Personal safety skills for smart living 

College Safety Program topics include:

• Travel safety 
• Active assailant/Active shooter response 
• Situational awareness/How to be prepared and engaged in emergencies 
• Basic self-defense 
• How to use SABRE pepper spray and personal alarms  

SABRE Civilian Safety Awareness Program SABRE College Safety Program  

Experience Level: None Duration: A total of 3 hours in the classroom CSAP and 1 hour College Safety Program

Class Size:  Require at least 5 for the class. Ideally no more than 12 students. 

Equipment Requirements:
None. Civilian Safety Awareness Program students will receive the student manual, inert practice canisters, SABRE maximun strength pepper spray to take home, yellow SABRE decal and certificate of completion. 

College Safety Program students will receive inert practice canisters to take home and notebook. (Up to $35 retail value. A portion of the proceeds go directly to Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network.)

Equipment Suggestions:
Notepad and pen
Eye protection
Snack and drink options

Attire:Classroom attire (No Open Toe Shoes)

These specialized courses just for women are a wonderful and encouraging introduction to handguns and their use in self-defense. These courses offer 3 modules: Basic, Intermediate and Defensive Pistol. Learn from this experienced and supportive instructor in a welcoming and fulfilling atmosphere. We will use sophisticated training tools which involve real, yet non-lethal, firing handguns, all inside our private classroom.

With three distinct modules, this course is designed for those who are brand new to firearms and those who are ready to learn more about defensive shooting.

Basics and fundamentals will be introduced, reviewed, and then built upon, while also exploring:

• Situational awareness
• Common types of handguns
• Ammunition types, malfunctions
• Firearms handling skills
• Defensive pistol fundamentals
• The use of deadly force

Whether you’ve never touched a firearm, you’re looking for the next steps in your training, or you’ve chosen to learn about the skills, tools, and mindset needed to use firearms for self-defense, you can be prepared to carry confidently every day with tips and techniques from experienced women in the world of firearms.

There are a variety of reasons you might consider carrying something less lethal for self-defense.

--Legal consequences of lethal force

--Physical limitations

--Moral concerns

Using a less-lethal device bridges the gap between being unable to defend yourself and using deadly force.

There are also many defense instances where deadly force is not justified. Those citizens who carry firearms need to consider having less-lethal options with them as well.

Multiple methods of less-lethal options will be introduced, including pros and cons of each.

The main focus is on pepper spray and Taser devices.

We will also address Use of Force parameters, and will conclude with a demonstration of these devices.

All training is done with safe, non-live firing devices.

Specialized course focusing on building skills and knowledge in detailed training

in the defense of your home.

Some of the areas in this course:

• Developing a personal and home defense plan.
• Home security tools, planning, and practice.
• Fundamentals of home defense with handguns, shotguns, and rifles.
• Defensive shooting fundamentals.
• Legal use of force in the home.
• Conflict avoidance.
• Violent encounters and their aftermath.
• Interacting with police and legal system.

No live guns or ammunition in the classroom.

All training is done with safe, non-live firing devices.

Explore our AR-15 course specifically designed for civilian use. This curriculum includes both classroom and live-fire training, with a focus on learning how to use an AR-15 for home and self-defense. 

This course has something for everyone. For those new to the world of AR's you'll learn proper maintenance, operation, and accessories. Seasoned shooters will walk away with a better understanding of a proper zero, importance of round trajectory, and mechanical offset for close encounters. 

This 2 hour course is designed to teach you the necessary cleaning steps and yearly maintenance needed to keep firearms functioning well.

Take a private lesson for one-on-one individual instruction. We will start by setting goals and work on specific skill levels to meet those goals. 

Experience Level: All levels  

Class Fees: Starting at $75.00/hour 

Range Fees: Paid by student/Unless at Insturctors Range Choice

Equipment Requirements: 

• Eye & ear protection 
• Functioning handgun with at least 2 magazines or speedloaders 
• Range bag, sleeve or box to carry your handgun 
• 100-200 rounds of ammunition to match the caliber of handgun (no reloaded ammunition)  

Equipment Suggestions: Notepad and pen  

Attire: Range appropriate attire for the climate, including short or long sleeve, high collared or neckline shirt, long pants and closed toe shoes. No low cut tops or v-necks. Weather appropriate outerwear. Brimmed caps are strongly recommended, but not required

Mass shootings have become all too familiar today and that is unacceptable. This course is designed to give us the information and data to identify, reduce, control, and then eliminate these incidents.  Who should attend? School staffers, administration, teachers, volunteers, etc. Church leaders, security, and parishioners. Parents, grandparents, and students. Anyone concerned about this type of event.  Instead of "hopes and prayers" you can have "Action and Solutions"    In this course, you will analyze data gathered from 48 mass shootings that have occurred since Columbine to determine what can learned from these tragedies, including whether a reduction in magazine capacity or the banning of any class of firearm would have changed the outcome.  You will also determine whether gun-free zones figure into the planning of these mass murderers; whether victim response at any mass shooting has made a difference; and whether universal background checks or other proposals by gun control advocates stand a chance of stemming the current trajectory of these shootings. At the end, you'll be able to use this data and develop a comprehensive plan designed to eliminate the scourge of these shooters once and for all.  This course will give you answers and a course of action.