We the People Firearms Training Academy

We the People Firearms Training Academy was built around one mission: provide high-end firearms and tactical training to legally armed civilians in Illinois. What sets them apart is the constant learning mindset. The entire staff receives hundreds of hours of outside instruction annually—they refuse to get stuck in "this is how we've always done it" thinking.

Location: 2325 Dean St. Suite 800S, St. Charles, IL 60174 Phone: (630) 538-2680 Email: [email protected]

Chief Instructor Joe C. is a USMC veteran with 20+ years in self-defense and firearms. His credentials include:

• •USMC combat deployments and specialized schools (S.E.R.E., Jump School, Combatant Dive, Advanced Free Fall)
• •Shoot House Instructor certification (trained by former Delta Force operators)
• •Certified by Illinois State Police, NRA, USCCA
• •Krav Maga instructor
• •Concealed carry certification in Florida and Arizona
• •Bachelor's degree in Computer Science

Instructor Jeff P. brings 5+ years active duty Marine Corps infantry, a combat deployment to Afghanistan, explosive detection dog handling experience, and Krav Maga training.

• •Military Credit: Veterans with a DD-214 get 8 hours of CCL training waived plus 50% discount on the course.

• •Pistol 1 ($150) — Foundational 1-day course covering safety, fundamentals, clearing stoppages, fighter mindset
• •Pistol 2 ($350) — Build on Pistol 1. Cover/concealment, concealed carry considerations, movement (prior training required)
• •Defensive Pistol ($650) — 1-day intensive for family defense, competition prep, or LEO advancement

• •Tactical Rifle 1 ($350) — 1-day foundation covering safety, weapon operation, fundamentals, target acquisition, clearing stoppages, rapid fire
• •Tactical Rifle 2 ($500) — Movement, cover/concealment, alternate body positions, stress-fire scenarios
• •Combat Rifle & Pistol ($650) — 2-day course combining refined pistol and rifle skills at speed
• •Long Range Shooting ($650) — Competition-style long-range training taught by retired Marine Scout/Sniper

• •CQB 1 ($600) — 8-hour shoot house training covering two-man and four-man room entries
• •CQB 2 ($950) — 16-hour intensive moving and fighting inside structures
• •Home Defense ($950) — 2-day course testing decision-making under stress with real-world scenarios

• •Emergency First Aid Fundamentals ($100) — CPR, Heimlich, trauma response before paramedics arrive
• •Countering the Mass Shooter Threat ($100) — Response strategy and situational awareness
• •Refuse to Be a Victim — 4-hour seminar on personal safety strategy, situational awareness, and threat avoidance (custom presentations available)
• •Realtor Safety Class ($100) — Situational awareness and safety protocols for real estate professionals

$75 per hour for one student | $25 per additional student. All appointments. Great for nervous first-timers.

They partner with multiple ranges depending on course type:

• •Fox Valley Shooting Range (South Elgin) — CCL classes
• •Article II Range (Lombard, near 355 and North Ave) — Women's Only and Pistol 1
• •Aurora Sportsman's Club (Waterman) — All rifle, advanced pistol, tactical, and long-range courses

Class details specify what you need (firearm, ammunition, holster, etc.). For Women's Only, Pistol 1, and CCL courses, you don't need your own pistol. Most other courses require you to bring your own. Ammunition requirements vary—check the course description.

Their motto: "Train Hard, Train Smart, Train Often."

• •FOID not required to take the Illinois CCL course
• •No open carry in Illinois—only concealed carry is legal
• •Current wait times: ~30 days for FOID, 90-120 days for CCL (state processing)
• •Out-of-state shooters: FAQ includes guidance on traveling with firearms into Illinois, which has zero reciprocity
• •YouTube channel with training content and updates

They explicitly avoid intimidation. Beginners, women, and nervous shooters are the norm, not edge cases. The staff expects to learn something new at every class they attend—no ego, no gatekeeping.