Instructors - Double Tap Academy

Rob Keller created Double Tap Academy in 2012 after attending training courses where he felt law-abiding citizens weren't getting adequate instruction on the legal aspects of self-defense. That frustration became the academy's core mission: teach shooting skills AND the law that governs using them.

Double Tap Academy offers both 16-hour and 8-hour Illinois CCW courses that exceed state requirements. Pricing is straightforward:

Their CCW instruction focuses on three things: firearms safety and marksmanship, state and federal law, and real-world decision-making. Classes are packed with practical exercises, not just lectures. Most self-defense situations happen in low light, so they teach that. Most gun owners don't understand the legal boundaries of force, so they hammer that home.

Rob Keller - Founder. Over 300 hours of formal firearms training. NRA Certified Instructor (Pistol, Rifle, Personal Protection Inside/Outside Home, Chief Range Safety Officer). Massad Ayoob Range Instructor certified. Graduate of MAG40, Combat Focus Shooting, and multiple tactical programs. Illinois Certified CCW Instructor. Life member of NRA and ISRA.

Brian Thielen - Trial lawyer (30+ years courtroom experience). NRA Certified Pistol and Rifle Instructor. Illinois CCW Instructor. Front Sight graduate. Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do. His family trained at Front Sight as well.

Todd Roseberry - Firearm rights attorney with Schwulst & Roseberry, P.C. Former Army Combat Medic. Teaches legal aspects of deadly force and gun ownership. NRA Basic Pistol Instructor. Specializes in shooting black powder revolvers and makes primitive archery equipment.

Lt. Dave Stephens - Retired from Normal Police Department (1983-2012). Graduate of University of Illinois Police Training Institute's Master Firearms Instructor Program. Police firearms instructor since 1990. Over 2,000 hours of firearms training. Illinois Hunter Safety Instructor. Developed the academy's defensive rifle and shotgun courses.

Dr. Larry Heisner - Ordained Minister with law enforcement chaplain background. Grew up hunting in Southern Illinois. Over 100 hours of formal training plus equivalent of 7 years Army infantry and Missouri National Guard experience. NRA Certified Pistol Instructor and Range Safety Officer. Life member of NRA, ISRA, GSL.

Dr. Bradley Barnes - Dentist with 25+ years dental practice. Certified NRA Instructor and Illinois CCW Instructor. Volunteers with Boys Scouts of America.

David Brinkoetter - Retired HVAC and plumbing contractor. Handles retail operations, inventory, transfers, and customer equipment consulting.

• •NRA Basic Pistol Course - Foundation course for new pistol owners or those buying their first firearm

• •Illinois Concealed Carry Course (16-hour) - Full program covering holster selection, safe storage, legal aspects, self-defense planning, and marksmanship
• •Illinois Concealed Carry Course (8-hour) - Final 8 hours for those who completed a qualifying course elsewhere

• •Massad Ayoob MAG 20 Stressfire Range - Builds defensive shooting skills under stress
• •Advanced Night Shooting - Flashlight techniques and target identification in low/no light (essential since most defensive encounters happen after dark)
• •NRA Personal Protection Inside the Home - Requires NRA Basic Pistol or equivalent prerequisite
• •NRA Personal Protection Outside the Home - Two-day course focused on street-level self-defense
• •Introductory Defensive Shotgun - Developed by Lt. Stephens for shotgun operation
• •Introductory Defensive Rifle - Carbine fundamentals and efficiency
• •NRA Range Safety Officer - For those planning to supervise shooting ranges

"Our scope of work includes fires, medical, natural disasters, and human safety."

Safety & Security Planning - Emergency preparedness and contingency planning for churches, businesses, and individuals. Includes risk assessment, impact identification, mitigation implementation, and training.

Security Consulting - Specialized guidance on alarm systems, video surveillance, executive protection, building security, and identity theft prevention.

Private Firearms Training - Individual and small-group instruction outside standard courses.

Double Tap Academy carries firearms, ammunition, and accessories from quality manufacturers including:

Glock, Smith & Wesson, Springfield Armory, Ruger, Rock River, Daniel Defense, Remington, Stevens, Federal, Hornady, Speer, MagTech, Aguila, Magpul, LaserLyte, and more. They also stock custom holsters and shooting accessories.

Training events scheduled in Bloomington, Illinois. Check their calendar for upcoming class dates or contact them to be notified when courses open up.