The Importance of Continuous Training: Why Gun Safety is an Ongoing Journey
At Lightning Defense Academy, we believe that responsible gun ownership is a lifelong commitment. While completing a basic firearms...
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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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Crowned Barber & Co.
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.
Samuel W.
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.
Sean Madrid
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.
Christian Nolan
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
Alec LaBelle
Awesome teacher very knowledgeable definitely will recommend him.
Edgar H.
Very knowledgeable. Won’t steer you wrong. Great class and great selection of stuff in the store.
Kenny Bremer
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.
Amy Borchart
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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If you're interested in purchasing a new firearm, stop by our store to view our new selections of high-quality firearms at unbeatable pricing!
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.
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Want to hear what our students have to say? Read real reviews from students just like you.
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 has a starting cost of $199 through Lightning Defense Academy. Optionally, you can submit fingerprints with your application to speed up the process. We offer fingerprinting services for $60.
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All in, a concealed carry license costs between $349 and $409. Ready to start? Book your concealed carry class now
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.
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We strive to always keep our classroom welcoming, beginner friendly, respectful, and hospitable. Browse our upcoming classes.
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 firearms, 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.
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When it comes to firearm sales, we are proud to say we carry some of the best firearms at an incredible price point. We keep shotguns, rifles, handguns, and more in stock. We're committed to serving all our customers. if you're looking for a firearm we don't carry in-store, we can order it for you! Reach out today for more details on firearm sales.
We're constantly expanding our inventory and available products. If you're looking for something specific, let us know.
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.
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:
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USCCA Certified Instructor Illinois State Approved Concealed Carry 16 Hour Course Instructor
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USCCA Basic Handgun Instructor
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USCCA Certified First-Aid Fundamentals Instructor
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American Heart CPR/AED/First-Aid Trained
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Stop the Bleed/IFAK/Basic Gun Shot Wound Trained
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4th Degree Black Belt in Okinawan Karate
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20+ years Firearms Experience
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20+ years Self Defense Training Instructor
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