Student centered
Concealed to carry classes in Northern Illinois

Marcus-Melnick

Many renewal students cannot remember their initial certification instructor or company. We’re not just trying to deliver a one-time certification class. We care about our customers’ long-term safety and education, and we give the tools to support continuing education (YouTube Channel, Facebook Page, Newsletter) to support that. We make deep, long-lasting connections. Once you take a class from us, we have a relationship for life. Immerse yourself in the world of the #FirearmMentor.

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What Is a Concealed to Carry Class?

In 2014, Illinois began issuing concealed carry permits to qualified individuals who Complete a 16-hour course, approved by the Illinois State Police. The purpose of Illinois concealed carry training is to educate applicants on firearm safety, handling, shooting fundamentals, and the legal responsibilities of carrying a concealed weapon.

Concealed to carry classes must be taught by Illinois State Police (ISP) certified instructors and includes 16 hours of training, unless you qualify for prior training credit.

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Importance of Firearm Safety and Legal Knowledge learned in a concealed to carry class

Illinois places a strong emphasis on both practical firearm skills and legal education. Students learn:

  • Safe handling and storage of firearms
  • Proper shooting techniques
  • Conflict avoidance and de-escalation
  • When and where you can legally carry
  • What to do during a law enforcement encounter
  • The legal use of force, including deadly force

This combination of skills ensures that individuals are not only competent with a firearm but also understand the serious legal and ethical implications of carrying concealed.

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Who Can Enroll in a Concealed Carry Class?

Age and residency requirements for Concealed to Cary Class:

To obtain a conceal and carry license, participants must be 21 years of age and be an Illinois resident.

Background check and eligibility for a Concealed to Cary Class

The applicant must:

  • Be at least 21 years of age
  • Have a currently valid FOID card (if an Illinois resident)
  • Not be prohibited under federal law from possessing or receiving a firearm
  • Not have been convicted or found guilty in Illinois or any other state of:
    (a) a misdemeanor involving the use or threat of physical force or violence to any person within the last 5 years
    (b) two or more violations related to driving while under the influence of alcohol, other drug or drugs, intoxicating compound or compounds, or any combination thereof, within the last five years
  • Not be the subject of a pending arrest warrant, prosecution, or proceeding for an offense or action that could lead to disqualification
  • Not have been in residential or court-ordered treatment for alcoholism, alcohol detoxification, or drug treatment within the last five years
  • Have submitted a completed Concealed Carry License application and successfully completed 16 hours of firearms training, including classroom and range instruction.

Concealed to Cary Classes for beginners, women, and veterans

Firearm Mentor classes are designed for all everyone who meets the above criteria. All course are taught to follow to be inclusive to various learning styles and meet individual student needs.

Map of Northern Illinois

concealed to carry classes in Northern Illinois

The Firearm Mentor offers concealed to carry classes in Northern Illinois in the Northwest Suburbs. As a security precaution, class location will be provided to students once a he/she has enrolled and paid for the course.

The Firearm Mentors offers the following concealed to carry classes:

Beginner concealed to carry class

Firearm Mentor Concealed Carry Classes help individuals shift from Worrier → Warrior. The 16 hour class will provide an A to Z explanation of the laws, firearm safety, gun function, and street smarts. After the concealed carry class, we provide ongoing support via free shopping consulting and a free firearm maintenance lesson.

Private Group concealed to carry class

Do you have a group of four or more people? We also deliver private Conceal to Carry courses in the comfort of your own home or office. Inquire at marcus@FirearmMentor.com.

One on One concealed to carry class

Would you prefer individual instruction? Do you learn better with a one on one session? We also offer one on one certifications. Inquire at marcus@FirearmMentor.com.

Private and Semi Private Conceal to Carry Classes

We will come to your place of business or home and deliver the concealed carry curriculum to private groups.  Contact us to arrange for a class.

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.

Private Lessons

Private lessons are for individuals or groups, and can be tailored to the individual needs. Each course is different, but all courses cover basic firearm safety.

Firearm Lesson Experience Levels

  • First time shooting
  • Advanced Shooting
  • Personal Protection
  • Firearm Care and Maintenance

The Illinois Concealed to Carry Classes Curriculum

Concealed Carry Curriculum offered by FIREARM MENTOR meets the minimum requirements to obtain your concealed carry permit. The first part of the Illinois Concealed Carry Curriculum resembles an NRA Basic Pistol Course. The second part covers statutory law (Illinois Concealed Carry Act, FOID Act, and Gun Control Act of 1968), relevant case law affecting concealed carry, and scenario based discussion.

The third part consists of range qualifications. The order of topics is dynamic and subject to change. Questions may drive discussion of topics earlier than scheduled, moving the topics around different time slots to accommodate student interests.

If you knew the day you would be a victim of a violent crime, you would schedule an appointment with the police.  Until criminals provide advance warning, you’re on your own.  Learn to protect yourself.  Enroll in a firearms self-defense class, today.

A list of other courses offered by the Firearm Mentor

Marcus Melnick is a certified anxiety and stress management coach, an author, speaker & educator for Safety, Stress Response, Managing Violence and Wellness spaces. He has the following degrees and certifications,

  • Active Shooter Response and Survival
  • Managing Agitated People
  • TED Talk
  • Weight Loss

Active Shooter Response and Survival

Building upon the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s “Run, Hide, Fight” curriculum, Stress 2 Logic brings to life stress inoculation with toy nerf guns and associated protective gear to prevent injury.

“Run, Hide, Fight” is a great moniker, but where do you hide?  What is the difference between cover and concealment?  What objects will stop bullets?  How does one fight?  Where do you go when running?  Do I help others?  What if I am injured?

Marcus Melnick was in a thwarted mass shooting in the mid-1990s in Wisconsin.  During his career, he worked in a multiple needs special education classroom with violent junior high students and became the Director of Security for a large high school suburban school district.  He later went on to work with the public safety personnel who responded to the Laurie Dann Shooting in Winnetka, Illinois.

Because of a related training program, one of Marcus’s students stopped a school shooting in Palatine, Illinois in 2017.  Another stopped a criminal sexual assault (rape) in progress in early 2025.  This training works.

This type of training is foreign to many.  It is foreign because participants have not done this before.  Similar to driving, a teen getting behind the wheel for the first time may have experienced a video game, but without the actual life experience, knowledge can be limited

Managing Agitated People

We also offer presentations in Managing Agitated People/De-Escalation techniques.  When delivered as “Managing Agitated Patients,” in healthcare environments, CE credit is available.

Another topic is Street Smarts/Scam Avoidance to varying populations.  We have developed programs for real estate agents, Older Americans/Seniors, Adults with Special Needs, and for Small Business Owners.

TED Talk

Marcus Melnick is also a TEDx speaker on the topic of Bypassing the Human Stress Response.  This course and accompanying book are entitled, “Overcoming the Hot Stress Mess.”  This topic has been adapted to navigating college life and responding to Anti-Semitism and Racism.

Weight Loss

Finally, we have a presentation on weight loss.  While it sounds like a one off, there are five responses to high stress:  Fight, Flee, Freeze, Submit, or Eat.  Follow Marcus Melnick’s journey of weight loss, diabetes reversal, hypertension reversal, reduction in sleep apnea severity.  After facing tremendous stressors as a teen, Marcus continued to gain weight.  Being heavy his entire life, he figured out his own personal psychology and relationship with food and shares tips and tricks to lose weight with little effort.  Starting in 2019, Marcus lost 120 pounds and kept it off.

*If you cannot make the regularly scheduled range time for this or a following class, listed below, there is an additional $30 charge. You have the option of taking this class and qualifying in a subsequent month for no additional charge.

Pre-registration and pre-payment is required.

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.

FAQs

Do I need a FOID Card to take a concealed to carry class?

No. A FOID is not required to take the class but is needed to apply for a CCL.

What are the qualifications to obtain a Concealed to Carry (CCL license)?

21+ years old – Valid FOID – No disqualifying criminal history or substance abuse issues – Completion of 16-hour firearms training. Additionally, applicants

  • Not be prohibited under federal law from possessing or receiving a firearm,
  • Not have been convicted or found guilty in Illinois or any other state of: (a) a misdemeanor involving the use or threat of physical force or violence to any person within the last 5 years, (b) two or more violations related to driving while under the influence of alcohol, other drug or drugs, intoxicating compound or compounds, or any combination thereof, within the last five years,
  • Not be the subject of a pending arrest warrant, prosecution, or proceeding for an offense or action that could lead to disqualification,
  • Not have been in residential or court-ordered treatment for alcoholism, alcohol detoxification, or drug treatment within the last five years,

Have submitted a completed Concealed Carry License application and successfully completed 16 hours of firearms training, including classroom and range instruction

How long is a Concealed to Carry license valid?

5 years from the date of issuance.

If I am an Illinois resident and I possess a valid Concealed Carry License, does my concealed carry handgun need to comply with PICA regulations?

Yes. A concealed carry handgun must comply with PICA regulations. A handgun is regulated by PICA if it has any features set forth in 720 ILCS 5/24-1.9(c)(e.g. a threaded barrel) and if it is a firearm listed by name in 720 ILCS 5/24-1.9(k). The handgun cannot have a magazine capable of holding more than 15 rounds of ammunition as that magazine is considered a large capacity ammunition feeding device that can only be lawfully possessed in limited places set forth in 720 ILCS 5/24-1.10(d).

Do I need my own gun for class?

No. Firearm Mentor provides firearms and ammo. Students are encouraged to utilize their own firearm.

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