CREDO Offers the following classes…
Illinois Concealed Carry
Illinois CCL takes place in a traditional classroom and range environment. This course is the second eight-hour session of the sixteen hours of class time required to apply for the Illinois Concealed Carry License. Course topics include: Review of Firearm Safety, Illinois FOID and Concealed Carry statutes, transporting a firearm, unlawful use of weapon (UUW) laws and prohibited places. A portion of the class will take place on the range where the student will shoot the qualification required by the State of Illinois. Students will receive several handouts, take a CCW Student Examination and receive a course completion certificate, bearing the signature of the Illinois State Police Certified Instructor. Successful completion of this class, along with the successful completion of the 8-hour NRA Basic Pistol Shooting Course qualifies the student to apply for the Illinois Concealed Carry License.
NRA Basic Pistol Shooting Course
Instructor Led Only Training. Course topics include: gun safety rules, proper operation of revolvers and semi-automatic pistols, ammunition knowledge and selection, pistol selection and storage, shooting fundamentals, pistol inspection and maintenance, marksmanship, and shooting range safety. Additionally, students will complete live fire training and a nationally standardized shooting qualification while on the range with an NRA Certified Instructor. Students will receive the NRA Guide: Basics of Pistol Shooting handbook, take a Basics of Pistol Shooting Student Examination and receive a course completion certificate bearing the signature of the NRA Secretary and your NRA Certified Instructor. The certificate is accepted by the State of Florida for their Concealed Weapons Permit. It is also accepted by the State of Illinois as proof of taking the first eight hours of the 16-hour Illinois Concealed Carry License class.
NRA Basic CCW
NRA CCW takes place in a traditional classroom and range environment. This course may be completed in a single day format or over several days with smaller blocks of instruction. Course topics include: Firearm Safety (Mandatory), Pistol Nomenclature and Selecting a Pistol for Self-Defense, Basic Defensive Pistol Skills, Drawing from Concealment, Loading and Stoppage Remediation, Mindset, Carry Modes and Pistol Concealment, Firearm Cleaning, and Sport Shooting and Training Activities. Course length is determined by the instructor, to meet your State’s requirements for a CCW permit. Additionally, students may complete live fire training and a nationally standardized shooting qualification while on the range with an NRA Certified Instructor. Students will receive reference books, take a NRA CCW Student Examination and receive a course completion certificate bearing the signature of the NRA Secretary and your NRA Certified Instructor.
NRA Basic Personal Protection In The Home Course
Prerequisite: This course is for law-abiding adult citizens, as defined by applicable federal, state, or local law, and experienced shooters (shooters able to show mastery of the basic skills of safe gun handling, shooting a group, zeroing the firearm, and cleaning the firearm). Prospective participants can demonstrate that they have the requisite knowledge, skills, and attitudes by producing an NRA Basic Pistol Course Certificate, NRA FIRST Steps Course Certificate, NRA pistol competitive shooting qualification card, military DD 214 with pistol qualification, or passing the Pre-Course Assessment.
Description: This is an eight-hour course. Students should expect to shoot approximately 100 rounds of ammunition. Students will learn basic defensive shooting skills, strategies for home safety and responding to a violent confrontation, firearms and the law, how to choose a handgun for self-defense, and continued opportunities for skill development. Students will receive the NRA Guide to the Basics of Personal Protection In The Home handbook, NRA Gun Safety Rules brochure, the Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification booklet, and course completion certificate.
USCCA Concealed Carry and Home Defense Fundamentals Course
The USCCA Concealed Carry and Home Defense Fundamentals course is a comprehensive, multi-stage training program designed for anyone considering owning or carrying a firearm for self-defense. It covers firearm safety, situational awareness, legal use of deadly force, and practical shooting techniques. Developed by the U.S. Concealed Carry Association (USCCA), the curriculum blends classroom theory with live-range shooting, ensuring students are mentally and physically prepared to protect themselves and their families.
NRA Basics of Personal Protection Outside The Home Course
Prerequisite: This course is for adult individuals who are not disqualified from possessing a firearm as defined by applicable federal, state, or local law and are of good repute and possess defensive pistol skills presented in the NRA Basics of Personal Protection In The Home Course. Participants must also understand the basic legal concepts relating to the use of firearms in self-defense, and must know and observe not only general gun safety rules, but also those safety principles that are specific to defensive situations. Prospective participants can demonstrate that they have the requisite knowledge, skills, and attitudes by producing an NRA Basic Personal Protection In The Home Course Certificate, or by passing the pre-course evaluation. Description: The course is divided into two levels. Level one is nine-hours and offers the essential knowledge and skills that must be mastered in order to carry, store, and use a firearm safely and effectively for personal protection outside the home. Students spend several hours on the range and shoot approximately 100 rounds of ammunition during level one. Upon completion, students may choose to attend level two, which is an additional five hours on the range and approximately 115 rounds of ammunition learning advanced shooting skills. Time and ammunition requirements are minimum, and may be exceeded. Students will receive the NRA Guide to the Basics of Personal Protection Outside The Home handbook, NRA Gun Safety Rules brochure and appropriate (level one/level two) course completion certificates(s).
NRA Defensive Pistol
The NRA Defensive Pistol Course will focus on the techniques needed to develop a defensive mindset. The goal of the course will be to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to carry and use a concealed pistol ethically, responsibly, and with confidence. As a result of participating in this course, the student will be able to explain and demonstrate the following: How to apply the NRA Rules for Safe Gun Handling when carrying a concealed firearm, basic principles of concealment, the difference between cover and concealment, drawing from the holster, levels of mental awareness, developing the proper mindset when using a pistol for personal protection, clearing common stoppages, use of pocket pistols, and more. Students will receive the NRA Guide to the Basics of Personal Protection Outside The Home handbook, NRA Gun Safety Rules brochure and the NRA Defensive Pistol certificate. This course is only conducted by NRA Certified Advanced Pistol Instructors.
NRA FIRST Steps Pistol Orientation
NRA FIRST Steps Pistol is designed to provide a hands-on introduction to the safe handling and proper orientation to one specific pistol action type for classes of four or fewer students. This course is at least three hours long and includes classroom and range time learning to shoot a specific pistol action type. Students will learn the NRA’s rules for safe gun handling; the particular pistol model parts and operation; ammunition; shooting fundamentals; cleaning the pistol; and continued opportunities for skill development. Students will receive the Basics of Pistol Shooting handbook, NRA Gun Safety Rules brochure, NRA Marksmanship Qualification booklet, FIRST Steps Course completion certificate.
NRA Basic Range Safety Officer Course
This course is nine hours long and is conducted in a classroom and at a shooting facility. Range Safety Officer candidates will learn roles and responsibilities of an RSO; Range Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs); range inspection; range rules; range briefings; emergency procedures; and firearm stoppages and malfunctions. Each Range Safety Officer Candidate will receive an RSO Student Study Guide, a Basic Firearm Training Program brochure, an NRA Gun Safety Rules brochure and a Course Evaluation form.
NRA Home Firearm Safety Course
This is a four-hour course for safe gun handling that is conducted in the classroom only. Students are taught NRA’s three rules for safe gun handling; primary causes of firearms accidents; firearm parts; how to unload certain action types; ammunition components; cleaning; care; safe storage of firearms in the home; and the benefits of becoming an active participant in the shooting sports. Students will receive the NRA Home Firearm Safety handbook, NRA Gun Safety Rules brochure, Basic Firearm Training Program brochure, course completion certificate.
USCCA Non-Lethal Tools for Self-Defense Course
The USCCA’s Non-Lethal Tools for Self-Defense course bridges the gap between doing nothing and using deadly force. Designed for both new protectors and experienced carriers, the program teaches you how to safely and effectively deploy alternative weapons in situations where a firearm is not necessary or legally justified. This course is perfect if you want to expand your self-defense options. It serves as an excellent foundational class for beginners who are not yet comfortable carrying a firearm, as well as a secondary training option for licensed concealed carriers.
NRA Refuse To Be A Victim® Seminars
This is not a firearms instruction course, and does not include instruction in physical combat self-defense. Seminars teach common weaknesses that criminals may take advantage of, and a variety of corrective measures that are practical, inexpensive and easy to follow. The seminar includes classroom instruction on criminal psychology, automobile crimes; cyber safety, home security, and a variety of crime prevention strategies including carjack avoidance techniques, use of personal safety devices, and more. A complete seminar may last as long as four or five hours and include the entire lesson plan, but a modified seminar may be as short as one or two hours and cover topics that best suit the needs of a particular audience. Students receive the Refuse To Be A Victim® student handbook, NRA Refuse To Be A Victim® brochure, NRA Become A Refuse To Be A Victim® Instructor Brochure, Refuse To Be A Victim® Firearms Supplement, and a course completion certificate.
CREDO Defense 