Illinois Concealed Carry Firearm Training

Critical Decision handles Illinois concealed carry permit training from their Aurora location at 2112 W. Galena Blvd. The staff isn't made up of range operators who decided to teach—it's current and former law enforcement, federal agents, and military professionals.

Instructor backgrounds: - Jason R. Bragg (President/CEO, Chief Firearms Instructor): 25+ years municipal and federal law enforcement, 36 years firearms experience, NRA certified - Craig "Hebe" Hebenstriet (Senior Firearms Instructor): Retired U.S. Marine Corps, 30+ years firearms experience - Nick Kopka (Firearms Instructor): AR-15 platform rifle expert, 20+ years practical pistol and rifle experience - Paul Smith (Range Safety Officer): Retired U.S. Federal Air Marshal, former Air Force K-9 handler

• •*Range fee $19.95 additional (paid directly to range day-of)

Both the 8-hour NRA Basic Pistol portion and 8-hour Illinois State Police CCW instruction happen in the same class. You get: - Training certificates meeting all Illinois and Florida requirements - All course materials and targets - Live fire qualification (required to pass) - Instruction on concealment, draw techniques, and defensive pistol fundamentals

You provide: your handgun, ammunition (50+ rounds), eye/hearing protection, ID. If you show up empty-handed, they rent handguns ($20) and sell ammunition on range day.

Honorably discharged veterans with DD-214 can skip the 8-hour basic pistol and take only the 8-hour CCW course for the same price. Same deal for: - Active or retired Illinois certified law enforcement - Security officers with valid Illinois TAN/FAC card - Graduates of NRA Basic Pistol, PPITH, or PPOTH courses (official NRA certificate required)

You must shoot a B-27 silhouette target: - 10 rounds from 5 yards - 10 rounds from 7 yards - 10 rounds from 10 yards - Pass standard: 21 out of 30 rounds must hit (70%). A "hit" is anywhere in the black/grey/orange scoring area.

Instructors can refuse to certify if you don't follow safety commands or handle the firearm dangerously.

You can use any concealable handgun in good working condition, EXCEPT: - Any modified or mechanically altered handgun - Barrels longer than 6.5 inches - Homemade firearms - AK or AR pistols - Black powder/flintlock - Taurus Judge, Rossi Circuit Judge, Derringers - Specific brands: Lorcin, Jennings, Star, Raven, Hi-Point, SCCY, North American Arms, Caracal, Bryco Arms - No Sig P-320 handguns or variants

Approved calibers: .380 Auto, 9MM, .38 Special, .38 Super, .40 Cal, .357 Magnum, .357 SIG, .45 ACP, .44 Special, .44 Magnum, 10MM.

.22 LR, .25, .32—why they're not allowed: Not considered true defensive calibers by modern shooting standards.

• •Sights: Fixed or adjustable iron sights only. No lasers (they fail when you need them), no red dots or scopes for qualification. Night sights (green glowing dots) are fine. If you bring a handgun with holographic sights, they must be properly installed and calibrated before class.

• •Only commercially produced ammo (Federal, Remington, CCI, Winchester, Speer, Sig, Armscor)
• •No reloaded ammunition
• •No lead-nosed ammo
• •No "special" rounds (G2 Research RIP, birdshot, tracer, armor-piercing, explosive)
• •Magazine limit: No extended magazines over 22-round capacity
• •No Pro-Mag or ETS-brand magazines

"Do I need a FOID to attend?" No—you can train without one if you're under supervision of a FOID holder on a recognized range. Critical Decision is recognized by Illinois State Police. You'll need to apply for FOID during your concealed carry permit application.

"Do I need fingerprints?" Illinois State Police don't require them for the concealed carry permit (despite what some vendors claim). Wait times run 80-90 days either way. For Florida and Utah permits, yes—fingerprinting is mandatory.

• •Pregnant or breastfeeding: You need physician documentation clearing you for firearm exposure (lead, noise, dust). Critical Decision recommends waiting until pregnancy is over.

• •Handicapped/special needs: Contact them at (630) 908-9950 or [email protected] to discuss accommodations.

• •Jan 20 – 3-Hour Renewal, 5pm-8pm, Aurora
• •Jan 24-25 – 16-Hour, 8am-4:30pm, Aurora
• •Feb 17 – 3-Hour Renewal, 5pm-8pm, Aurora
• •Feb 21-22 – 16-Hour, 8am-4:30pm, Aurora
• •Mar 21-22 – 16-Hour, 8am-4:30pm, Aurora
• •Mar 24 – 3-Hour Renewal, 5pm-8pm, Aurora

Serving Aurora and surrounding DuPage, DeKalb, Kane, Kendall, and Will County areas including Naperville, Downers Grove, Wheaton, Elgin, St. Charles, Geneva, and dozens of other communities in the Fox Valley and northern Illinois.