top of page
Students at outdoor range.jpg

Concealed Carry Training in Crystal Lake, IL

Self Defense Training So You Never Become a Victim.

Learn self defense, concealed carry, emergency first-aid, and more. Our experienced instructors teach key lessons on firearm fundamentals, conflict avoidance, situational awareness, and the legality of self defense. Train today to protect yourself, your friends, and your family.

Google Rating.png
Facebook Rating.png
USCCA Rating.png
USCCA Instructor.png

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO

Protect What Matters Most

Self Defense Training

Learn tested and proven methods for concealed carry, firearm fundamentals, and home defense. When your life is on the line, you'll have training you can rely on.

Medical Kit Icon.png

Emergency First Aid

Learn the fundamental of emergency first-aid. Knowing what to do after a life-threatening injury can be just as important as stopping the threat.

Lock Icon.png

Peace of Mind

Gain the knowledge, skills, and resources to help protect what matters most. You'll sleep easy knowing you've trained with experienced USCCA Certified Instructors.

Be Prepared for every situation

We teach all our students about:

WE’VE ALREADY HELPED

Hundreds of Happy Customers

312+

VERIFIED REVIEWS

Facebook Logo.png
USCCA Logo.png
Yelp Logo.png

Me, my wife and brother took a conceal class with John and I’m speechless on how great the class was. Let me start with saying my wife has only shot a gun once in her life. She out shot me and our brother with John’s directions.

Quote Mark Icon - Red.png

Crowned Barber & Co.

Google Review Icon.png

John was patient, informative, and a great deal of fun as a teacher! The course was interactive, and he had many stories and analogies to bring the information to life.

Quote Mark Icon - Red.png
Samuel W Profile.png

Samuel W.

USCCA Review Icon.png

John is one of those people that is just meant to be an instructor. Highly knowledgeable and experienced, but relays the information in an interesting and down to earth fashion.

Quote Mark Icon - Red.png
Sean M Profile.png

Sean Madrid

Facebook Review Icon.png

I highly recommend taking any/all classes here as well as accessorizing any firearms. John is a top tier instructor with more knowledge than most and will have you feeling confident in yourself and your firearm when you leave.

Quote Mark Icon - Yellow.png
Christian N Profile.png

Christian Nolan

Google Review Icon.png

John and Ian were absolutely great instructors and loved taking their course! Would recommend these guys to anyone. I know a lot of people that have taken concealed carry courses elsewhere and after talking to them, Lightning Defense’s class was way more informative and covered everything

Quote Mark Icon - Orange.png
Alex L Profile.png

Alec LaBelle

Facebook Review Icon.png

Awesome teacher very knowledgeable definitely will recommend him.

Quote Mark Icon - Yellow.png
Edgar H Profile.png

Edgar H.

USCCA Review Icon.png

Very knowledgeable. Won’t steer you wrong. Great class and great selection of stuff in the store.

Quote Mark Icon - Red.png
Kenny B Profile.png

Kenny Bremer

Facebook Review Icon.png

Highly recommend for all skill levels. I took John's conceal and carry class with minimal gun experience. He was professional, knowledgeable and so thorough. Definitely an expert in his field and look forward to taking other classes with Lightning Defense Academy.

Quote Mark Icon - Red.png
Amy B Profile.png

Amy Borchart

Google Review Icon.png

Frequently Asked Questions

Plus Icon - Yellow.png
Minus Icon - Yellow.png

Do I need to own a gun to take classes?

No. For classes that include live range time, we partner with ranges that offer gun rentals. For more information on classes and gun rentals, contact us here.

Plus Icon - Yellow.png
Minus Icon - Yellow.png

Are classes beginner friendly?

Absolutely! A lot of our students have never shot a firearm before taking our classes. We teach firearm fundamentals and create a beginner-friendly environment. Our classes are a great fit whether you've been a long time gun enthusiast or you're just getting started. 

Want to hear what our students have to say? Read real reviews from students just like you.

Plus Icon - Yellow.png
Minus Icon - Yellow.png

How much does a Concealed Carry License cost?

In Illinois, the filing fee for your application is $150. Although you'll need to pass the training course which costs $150 through Lightning Defense Academy. Optionally, you can submit fingerprints with your application to speed up the process. We offer fingerprinting services for $60. 

All in, a concealed carry license costs between $300 and $360. Ready to start? Book your concealed carry class now

Plus Icon - Yellow.png
Minus Icon - Yellow.png

What should I expect at a class?

Our classes cover topics like firearm and first-aid fundamentals, home defense, legality of carrying a concealed weapon, and self defense habits. All our classes are suitable for beginners all the way up to seasoned pros. 

We strive to always keep our classroom welcoming, beginner friendly, respectful, and hospitable. Browse our upcoming classes.

Plus Icon - Yellow.png
Minus Icon - Yellow.png

What do you sell in your store?

We carry a variety of essentials for self defense, concealed carry, and first aid. We filter through thousands of products to find some of the best bang-for-the-buck items to stock in our store. We carry holsters, bags, cleaning kits, optics, lights, knives, safes, accessories, and more. Browse our online store now or visit us in-person for a larger selection.

 

We're constantly expanding our inventory and available products. If you're looking for something specific, let us know.

Student aiming downrange at target.jpg

PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY

Start Classes Today

Get training you can rely on when you need it the most. Get started on your way to being better prepared to assess, avoid, and defend yourself in dangerous situations. Whether you're looking for concealed carry, home defense, first-aid, or private lessons, you can get started with classes today. 

Read Our Latest Articles

GET FREE RESOURCES AND TRAINING

Hi, I’m John!

MEET THE OWNER

I originally grew up with my parents in communist Cuba. I later moved to the United States and gained a passion for martial arts, firearms, and self-defense. Here are a couple of my certifications:

  • USCCA Certified Instructor Illinois State Approved Concealed Carry 16 Hour Course Instructor

  • USCCA Basic Handgun Instructor

  • USCCA Certified First-Aid Fundamentals Instructor

  • American Heart CPR/AED/First-Aid Trained

  • Stop the Bleed/IFAK/Basic Gun Shot Wound Trained

  • 4th Degree Black Belt in Okinawan Karate

  • 20+ years Firearms Experience

  • 20+ years Self Defense Training Instructor

bottom of page