Firearm Mentor
Remain Safe. Stay Sharp. Train for the moment that matters.
About
Firearm Mentor is a concealed carry and safety training company serving Lincolnshire, Buffalo Grove, Arlington Heights, Schaumburg and throughout Chicagoland. Owner Marcus Melnick has been around firearms since 1980 and spent his career in public safety across police, fire and private security. As a professional adult educator, he teaches people just like you how to use a firearm, along with "Legal Self Defense" ©, which is what to say when the police arrive.
Meet Marcus Melnick
Marcus is a seasoned public safety professional turned coach, speaker and trainer. He brings a blend of law enforcement, stress psychology, firearms expertise and personal resilience training, all delivered with authenticity and wit. From radio to TEDx, classroom to shooting range, his mission is to help people stay calm, stay safe and make smart decisions under pressure. Students leave feeling comfortable and confident.
Based in Illinois, Marcus serves the greater Chicago area and beyond. He has established security programs across Chicago area hospitals, schools, community centers, religious institutions, businesses and civic organizations, and he trains internationally in emergency response, public safety and firefighting.
More Than Firearms
Firearm Mentor is not a one or two trick pony. We deliver presentations to law enforcement agencies, organizations, schools, companies, community groups and houses of worship.
- Active Shooter Response and Survival. Built on the FBI "Run, Hide, Fight" curriculum and brought to life with stress inoculation exercises. Where do you hide? What is the difference between cover and concealment? What objects stop bullets? Because of this training, one of Marcus's students stopped a school shooting in Palatine, Illinois in 2017, and another stopped a criminal sexual assault in progress in early 2025.
- Managing Agitated People and De-Escalation. Delivered as "Managing Agitated Patients" in healthcare environments, where CE credit is available.
- Street Smarts and Scam Prevention. Programs built for real estate agents, older Americans, adults with special needs and small business owners.
- Overcoming the Hot Stress Mess. Based on Marcus's TEDx talk on bypassing the human stress response, adapted for navigating college life and responding to anti-Semitism and racism.
- Wellness: Fighting Obesity and Stress. Marcus lost 120 pounds starting in 2019 and reversed diabetes, hypertension and sleep apnea severity. He shares the psychology behind it.
A Relationship for Life
Many renewal students cannot remember who certified them the first time. We are not trying to deliver a one-time certification class. We care about our students' long-term safety and education, and we back it with continuing education through our YouTube channel, Facebook page and newsletter. Once you take a class from us, we have a relationship for life.
Media Appearances and Videos
Book Marcus For Your Group
These are quoted per group rather than sold from the class calendar. Tell us the audience, the room and the date and we will put a number on it.
- Private classes and private lessons, in your home or place of business
- Active Shooter Response and Survival, for schools, businesses and houses of worship
- Seminars and safety presentations, tailored to your industry and audience
Contact Marcus to talk it through.
Credentials & Certifications
Instructor Certifications - United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) Instructor - NRA Certified Pistol Instructor - NRA Certified Range Safety Officer - Illinois Concealed Carry Instructor - Glock Armorer - Active Shooter Response Instructor - National Incident Management System (NIMS) - Pepper Spray (Oleoresin Capsicum) Instructor - Control and Restraint / Handcuffing Instructor - Violent Patient Management Instructor - OSHA Safety - Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) Restraint Additional Background - 11,500+ students trained - Public safety career since 1988: private security management, law enforcement, emergency management and firefighting - Firearms experience since 1980 - Multiple criminal justice degrees - Northwestern University Police Staff and Command graduate - Two-time FBI Scholar (not an FBI agent; recognized twice by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for contributions to law enforcement) - Graduate-level adjunct college professor - Court and media recognized expert witness - TEDx speaker and international safety keynote speaker - Published author of several books and national safety publications
Upcoming Events
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Class Fees
Class fees are non-refundable. If you are denied a concealed carry permit by the state, miss class, or do not complete the training, refunds are not given-similar to if you buy a ticket to a sporting event and miss the event.
No-Show
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Range Qualification
If you cannot make the regularly scheduled range time for this or a following class, there is an additional $30 charge. You have the option of taking this class and qualifying in a subsequent month for no additional charge.
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Private Classes
If a date is reserved for a private class, but the participant doesn’t respond 7 days prior to the reserved date, the class will be considered cancelled. We can always schedule future dates.
Payment
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Pre-Registration and Payment
Pre-registration and pre-payment is required.