I've been using [Instructor's Name] for my CCL renewals for years, and I couldn't recommend him more highly. I was actually one of his original students, and it's been great to see how consistently professional and dedicated he has remained over the years. He is extremely knowledgeable and does an excellent job explaining not just the legal requirements, but also the practical, real-life situations that responsible concealed carry holders may face. His instruction is clear, informative, and grounded in real-world experience, which makes the classes both engaging and very valuable. If you're looking for a concealed carry instructor who truly understands the responsibility of carrying and takes the time to prepare his students properly, he is an outstanding choice. I'll certainly continue using his services for my renewals in the years ahead. read more

Instructor was very professional, fast, explained all changes in law, I've been there for renewing CCL.

For 99 dollars and a two day commitment, you will get expert training from Paul as he will discuss numerous laws, rules and regulations, dos and donts, hypotheticals, etc., while in the class room. On the second day, you will get to spend time at the range and you'll need to pass, in order to get your permit. There were at least 20 of us in the course and the weekend went by really quick. We learned a lot about safety, how to assess danger in certain situations, how to interact safely with law enforcement, etc. Many of us have been around firearms our entire lives. There were a few hunters in the group. Everyone was eager to learn and I was surprised to see the big turn out of female participants. Paul answered all of our questions and was very patient with us as the days were long. Paul is very focused on vigilance and safety. You could end up paying $300 for this course, but I suggest coming here instead. Also, we were able to take a limited lunch period but thankfully, Dino's pizza was just down the street. read more

Illinois Protect and Conceal - Two day commitment - time well spent - Firearm Training Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Great value for the training received!!! The instructor, Paul is very knowledgeable in the Federal, State & Chicago laws on responsible firearm ownership & Concealed Carry Licenses. Many aspects of these laws are covered as well as some hands-on self defense scenarios and safe weapon handling, breaking down & cleaning skills. These hands-on activities make the 16 hours go by easier. Paul patiently explains any questions or misunderstandings that students may have regarding the material covered as he truly wants all his students to understand how to be responsible gun owners. read more

After years of not owning a firearm I bought one last October. The world seemed to be getting more scary every day and I felt the need to protect my family. Now I felt that I needed to learn how to handle my weapon and the laws that govern it. I looked around for a class to take and a friend recommended Paul who owns Conceal and Carry. The class was fantastic, I was afraid that after being retired for 5 years that I would have a hard time staying alert, but Paul kept the conversation going and the class interesting. I learned more than I expected to learn. I actually dreaded the thought of sitting in a classroom 8 hours a day on Saturday and Sunday, but I found it to be very informative and the time flew by. read more

This review is for concealed carry. Paul was the absolute best. I took this class years ago with another company but I allowed my license to lapse. I took this class again, with my wife, and I learned more in this class than in the other class. Everyone in the class was allowed to ask questions and encouraged to engage in conversation. We expressed our ideas and got not only Paul's opinion, but more importantly, THE LETTER OF THE LAW! This is information that you can keep and review over and over, and I will help you for the rest of your life. Thanks Paul. Please check him out if you are looking for concealed carry. You need it and here's where you learn it. read more

Very professional instructor. Knowledgeable toward subjects. Hands on training and at a comfortable pase. Would highly recommend anyone no matter what skill level to take his course. read more

Great people! Truly a great place. Incredible resource. True professionals but also real people.

I completed the 16 hour class a couple weeks ago. Paul is a great instructor. I learned a lot. He was super patient with all my questions. Highly recommend taking his class, you will be happy you chose to go here. read more

Paul is great. Very nice guy that's has a unique personality. He teaches the classes well and it is great he is in the city. There are not too many places in the city of Chicago that offers these classes so it was nice to have him around. The prices for the classes are cheaper then most of the other places I acquired about. read more

Thank you Paul for teaching me so well You can be proud of this student , I have a new job in firearm sales. I waited on a customer and when I was done showing him and his wife 2 guns, he asked me how long I've worked there and I said about 6 weeks, he demanded to see my manager, he said I broke something.... I called my manager over and he told him I broke his streak of inept service at the gun counter I was the 1st person in 11 stores of the company I work for to properly show him a firearm and I should be commended I thanked him and told him if anyone should be commended it should be my instructor Paul who taught me how the proper Safe handling of a firearm read more

DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME!!!!!!. Sometimes deals aren't worth it and I learned my lesson today when I drove 45 minutes through traffic, had to deal with a psychopath road rage of a driver just to show up for the first day of class only for the owner to tell all 8 of us there waiting in the cold, that he cannot teach the class because he is not feeling well. He claimed to be "sick as a dog" and that he doesn't think he can make it through the whole day to teach and that we will have to reschedule or go to another business that offers the class. I should have seen the red flags when there wasn't an option to register for the class like the professional businesses require you to do in order to take their concealed and carry classes. But instead Illinois Protect and Conceal's Facebook page says first come first serve and to line up outside their business 15 min before class starts. I did just that and stood in the cold for 15 min for the owner to open the door 5 min before the class was to start and for him tell us sorry but not sorry for wasting your time! While I understand that life happens and people get sick, but as a business owner, he should have been willing to make it up to us by providing a discount for the gas we all wasted. I asked the owner what he could do for us and if he would be willing to provide an additional discount for us 8 that showed up only for us to be turned away and he REFUSED!!! I explained I drove far just to make it here and there's nothing he can do about it. He said he's a small business 1 man show, so he cannot guarantee us any discount. I was shocked, to say the least. One woman there took off work just to be there and he still was not willing to ensure we would be taken care of for the inconvenience. The owner clearly would rather turn us 8 away and recommend trying to take the class with another business and lose $800-$1,000+ he wold have made that day for the class, than to provide excellent customer service and ensure that those who showed up are taken care of for the inconvenience. Very unprofessional and no common curtesy for others time or gas wasted. I DO NOT RECOMMEND this business and highly recommend spending a little more for the class to ensure you are trained by professionals with good customer service. Discounted prices aren't worth discounted customer service! read more

Paul is an amazimg instructor. His classes were very detailed, and he answered any question. He is very flexible with the classes to fit your schedule. Thanks Paul!! read more

Illinois Protect and Conceal - At the range. - Firearm Training Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This is the place you want to go for CCW.. Paul is a GREAT instructor, he knows the rhythm of the room and adjusts the pace... Very knowledgeable and a great sense of humour...... I leave this class feeling very well informed on concealed carry. His prices are great...... bring a lunch......you'll thank me later. Thanks Paul..... Great job ! read more

I took the CCL course during June 2017 and couldn't be happier. Paul (owner/instructor) taught the course from a civilian's perspective (not ex law enforcement) which was unique and different from some other course available. Paul was also the most flexible in terms of scheduling the 16 hr class (believe me I did my research) and took the time to make sure he worked with everybody's schedules (within the timing requirements by the state). Plus he is the only instructor that will invite you back for a refresher or need some extra help with your new firearm at no additional charge. I would highly recommend his class for your CCL. read more

The best. Great experience with "drive-in" course. Extremely knowledgeable instructor. No experience needed, all equipment can be available for use. Don't hesitate to join. read more

A great experience! Had to take a renewal class and attended class. Instructor knew the material frontwards and back and made it relatable to the class. Great professionalism throughout the class ! read more

Paul's prices are always reasonable, but what a treat to catch one of his sales! For about a hundred you too can learn all you need about Concealed carry and more, presented in an entertaining and relatable fashion. Paul is a no bs kind of guy, but he's no drill sergeant either. We had sufficient breaks and some laughs, but Paul never let us get out of hand, and we met our timetable easily. He welcomes input from the class and treats everyone with the utmost respect. Bring your own refreshments, your lunch and your unloaded firearm. Leave the ammo in the car. I suggest this because you can't be sure on which day you will go to the range to qualify. Be prepared, secure parking early, and be on time. This is very important because you will not spend less than 8 hours a day in class. Overall, even as a veteran that has been shooting for years I learned quite a bit from Paul's class. I could not recommend him more. read more

Illinois Protect and Conceal is top notch training whether you are a beginner or experienced with firearms. Paul is very friendly, informative and very serious about what he does. In regards to scheduling your classes, you will have two options: 1. You can attend available classes during the weekdays. or 2. You can attend available classes during the weekends. You can schedule to attend classes at your own pace (within 30 days) until you've reached the amount of hours required for your specific training status. I highly recommend Illinois Protect and Conceal for anyone in the Chicagoland area who is interested in obtaining their Illinois Concealed Carry Permit! PLEASE NOTE: The prices for the CCW class DOES NOT include the $150 Illinois State Police application fee. After you've completed the class and have received your certificate, then your next step will be to apply with the state to receive your actual license to carry. I completed my CCW course with Illinois Protect and Conceal in August 2016 and I just received my CCW license from The State Of Illinois on November 25th 2016, so be patient as the state is in no hurry, but you will receive a response in due time. read more

If you're shopping around for the cheapest and best class.. This place is definitely the best. Paul is so knowledgeable and thorough... This man loves what he does and it shows.. Any 16 hour classroom setting is dreaded but I promise he made it very enjoyable... No one will beat his prices if your looking to get out of class early, not going to happen because by law he has to keep you down to the last minute but I promise the knowledge you walk out with is worth every minute... read more

Paul is the easiest and most reliable instructor to work with. Quick and and cheap too . Definitely recommend.

I recently took Paul's 16 hour CCW class, and couldn't be more pleased with the experience. First, the flexible scheduling is fantastic. Paul hosts classes each day of the week, and goes out of his way to accommodate your schedule. You can string together different blocks of time to fulfill the required 16 hours - for example, I attended three, four-hour blocks, and two, two-hour blocks. This makes Paul both unique and extremely helpful for those of us who have inconsistent work schedules. Second, the course content is thorough, informative, and complete. Paul does not - under any circumstances - skimp on the material or cut corners. He wants to ensure you fully comprehend the course curriculum - from the law, to equipment handling/cleaning/security, to the appropriate application of force. After each lesson, he solicits questions and feedback, and takes the necessary time to ensure everyone understands what they've just learned. Third, the range lesson is phenomenal. Because the classroom is located in Chicago proper, Paul rents out a third-party range (in the surrounding suburbs) for the shooting portion of his classes. He offers the option of just training for/administering the shooting exam, or for an additional (nominal) fee, enhanced defensive techniques when faced with imminent danger. Fourth, and finally, the epilogue is tremendous. Your experience with Paul and IPC does not end at the end of the 16th hour. Should you ever want additional classroom training, have questions that pop-up from time-to-time, or would like Paul to examine a new equipment purchase, he welcomes you back to his classroom at any time, and at no additional charge. From novice to experienced shooter, this class will not only fulfill the ISP requirements for CCW, it will leave you feeling confident about owning and possessing a firearm, and (God forbid) using it should a lethal situation arise. read more

Wow Paul is an awesome instructor. He is knowledgeable and professional. The classes are small so students get individualized attention. The flexibility of the class times makes it convenient for fulfilling required hours even with the busiest of schedules. Also LADIES this is a place that you are Welcome! This is not a good old boys class mentality. Women are made to feel comfortable and treated with respect. They are encouraged to be conceal carriers to protect themselves and their families. Don't be too shy or intimidatedand give Paul's class a try you won't regret it. By the way he has also started a self defense classes that includes using pepper spray instead of a gun in case your a little uneasy about carrying a loaded weapon at the present time. But I have a feeling once you've taken the class with Paul you might want to return and take his conceal class. I know I look forward to returning to sit in on his classes for updates and additional guidance when I purchase a new weapon or feel I need some extra review, which by the way he welcomes @ no charge! Unlike the only poor review this business ever got, Paul is NOT ABOUT THE MONEY. His is passionate about educating people about the correct way to handling a weapon and the importance of protecting our right to bear arms as an American citizen. read more

Great class. Great instructor. Highly recommend this class. Very genuine and sincere instructor. I really appreciated his teaching style. Safety first always. read more

There is absolutely NOTHING negative to say about this experience!! Paul is not only a fantastic mentor but a phenomenal teacher! The class is very engaging & informational! This is worth every penny! There will be others that can teach Carry & Conceal, but NO ONE will ask you to RETURN AT NO COST TO HAVE HIM SHOW YOU HOW TO CLEAN & MAINTAIN YOUR weapon when you get it!! He encourages you to feel confident to ask questions WITHOUT feeling any judgment! I am only upset that I haven't done this sooner!! ALL MY FRIENDS & FAMILY are already recommended to take him on!! I was blessed to have done this with my wife, sister & brother! This class will put MANY THINGS in perspective, ESPECIALLY about Crook county, yes CROOK county! You'll understand why! LMFAO! 100% recommended!!! read more

Illinois Protect and Conceal - Me and the Mrs! Sharpening up for the test! - Firearm Training Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Paul, the owner and instructor of IPAC, is a hidden resource in an anti-gun city and a fraction of the price when compared to other big gun training facilities in other states. I took my concealed carry class with Paul back in February and it was just a great experience. The classroom setting is very comfortable and Paul goes out of his way to make sure that you understand the material. We covered all the laws associated with concealed carry and then he made sure to break down the legal jargon so that normal people could understand what each important item in the statutes meant. Paul has a colourful way of breaking things down and you will definitely leave his class understanding what you can and cannot do as a concealed carry licence holder. And if you don't, he gives you all of his contact info so that you can reach out to him in case you think of anything you didn't cover in class. One of the reasons I had to give Paul five stars, though, is that he gets you out of your seat (literally) and makes you practice real scenarios that you might come across in a concealed carry situation. You'd be surprised at how rusty or bad you are at drawing and firing on the move until you actually practice it. I'm a former infantry Marine and I was incredibly rusty with the dry fire exercises, it is absolutely a perishable skill if you do not practice, which is why I was happy to get out of my seat and work on those drills. Getting out of your seat for this class was huge for me because I know for a fact there are instructors out there who simply drone on about law and go over all the theory, but do little to practice this theory. Another big reason Paul gets five stars from me is that he does some thinking outside the box scenarios in which he'll verbally surprise you with a hypothetical situation, or he'll actually conduct a hypothetical situation, and expect you to react how you would in a real life scenario. My brother went through Paul as well and he said there were some surprising reactions when Paul broke out these scenarios with these guys. Finally, one thing I loved about the qualification aspect of the concealed carry training is that Paul will give you the option (at least he did for my brother and I) to do the qualification and then, time permitting, you will get a chance to go down range and do some close fire exercises and and actually do some of the stuff you were practicing in the classroom. If you choose to do some of the close fire exercises, you will first qualify and then go down range to do the close fire exercises. IPAC also offers other training which could be used in both professional and personal life and I highly recommend you check them out http://illinoisprotectandconceal.com/Courses.html and support a local business, you won't be disappointed! read more

I can't recommend Paul and Illinois Protect and Conceal enough. The class was very relaxed but serious. Paul covered all the basics on handgun ownership, safety, use and cleaning. This class not only prepares you for the range test, but also drives home the legal and other responsibilities when owning firearms. There were a lot of class discussions and hands on training as well. All questions are answered in depth and you will come away feeling more confident in your abilities. I would highly recommend this class for anyone who is brand new to firearms or is looking to get their license. read more

This class was a Christmas present for me from my husband. He also treated our daughter. The class was very well taught. Interesting discussions. Very flexible day and evening classes. Also shooting range. Day or evening. They have fingerprinting. I absolutely recommend these classes. read more

I recently took this class and highly recommend it. Paul is an amazing instructor and goes above and beyond to answer any question and is very detailed and informative. He makes you feel at home and is very knowledgable. He took his time and explained several self defense techniques. Overall this class was more than I had expected. I am recommending him to all my Friends and family. Thanks Paul! read more

I took Paul's class with a group of guys I organized from work I chose his place based upon reviews and pricing There is a discount for groups of 5 or more But to be honest the price is not a real deal breaker because most of the classes are all the same price he does a great job of explaining. And is very patient with newbies The guy is honest and straight forward. Does a good job and complies with all the state rules He knows his stuff and has plenty of experience Highly recommend him read more

Excellent school. Wonderful instructor. Paul is thorough and fun. Made this 30 year firearms enthusiast a better shooter as well as making sure I know the law. Did a bang up job with the newbies too. This is the place to go for fire arms training near Chicago. Also nice that they offer night classes and a very flexible schedule. read more

Illinois Protect and Conceal - Firearm Training Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Paul is the best instructor, I cannot recommend him enough. I took the weekend class of two 8hr days and thought I'd be bored out of my mind, boy was I wrong. I had such a good time and learned so much that I can actually sit through it again. Please do not hesitate going to his class, you will not be disappointed. See you in five years Paul... read more

Paul is very friendly, knowledgeable and most importantly makes you feel confident and comfortable no matter what your experience with firearms. Highly recommend this class. I'm very happy with my experience. read more

Listen, take the class. Especially if you're scared of guns, have had bad experiences with guns, are anti-gun or 2a, or just flat out have no idea about guns. Inform yourself and pry as much out of Paul as you can. Gain confidence in self protection with this class. Such a great guy, wish I got a photo with him. Clean cut, knowledgeable, experienced and has a great sense of humor. He's putting himself out there people, so don't feel any way but comfortable, safe and confident. He is in no way there to hold your hand but he needs to certify that you get an absolute 16 hours...to the minute! Do not hesitate to show that you lack or don't know something. ASK QUESTIONS! He's there for a reason. Take advantage of his $99 promotion (cash only for the promotion) and take a friend or family member with you. Show up 15 min before 10am so you get a guaranteed spot! Seating is limited. A lot of people showed up 1-10 mins after 10a and could not attend the class. So 10a SHARP! Also, if you go to a gun store or another place to take a class you might pay $250 for that class. Keep in mind it's $150 MORE to apply on your own for your CCL ONCE YOU RECEIVE YOUR CERTIFICATE from Paul. So why not take advantage of his promotion and get your license all for the price of what the other places charge JUST FOR THE CERTIFICATE? From people of all colors, tattoos, VETS, to an elderly couple, young individuals and nurses....the group on 3/7-3/8/2020 was a very cool group to take the class with. I look forward to renewing my CCL in 5 years when it expires. Thanks Paul! Stop smoking cigarettes and keep educating and certifying Illinois residents! read more

Paul is a great instructor who makes the class interesting and easy to follow. Definitely recommend.

Great class. Very informative and hands on, not just boring repetitive jargon. The instructor Paul know his stuff and takes time with each individual person as needed. He keeps things interesting which makes the full 16 hrs go by much quicker. The best part is that you get to take class on your time. You can come for 2 hrs 4hrs 6hrs or 8hrs and they are open 7 days a week. Pricing is the cheapest around. I highly recommend Paul and Illinois Protect and Conceal. read more

Illinois Protect and Conceal - Firearm Training Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This place is one of the best in Chicago for Concealed Carry. Paul is an amazing instructor I couldn't recommend the guy enough he's very humble, knowledgeable, and funny. His prices are very reasonable he's not like other instructors who just want your money this guy really stands with the second amendment and wants what is best for his students, I promise you will enjoy this class and the helpful information he has to offer, don't hesitate on taking the class give him a call or shoot him a message on Facebook for a quicker response! read more

Very good class Paul is a cool guy. Price was very reasonable compare to other places.

Cold in class all about money phone ring stop the class to answers not pro at all ,bring students and get 25 each dor both never got any $ only good thing is scheduled is good but u could be only one read more

Very professional people, with genuine care for the safety of Chicagoland residents. If you're military there is a discounted rate. If you're a complete beginner they treat you with respect and decency, with the hopes of actually teaching self defense. read more