Illinois Protect and Conceal

The other reviews for Paul are accurate so I won’t repeat the same things. Paul goes a great job and I am very glad I chose this class versus one at Gander Mountain or Cabela’s. Tips:
1) Call or email the day prior just to be sure you can get the number of hours you want the next day. (Weekends you can usually get 8 hours no problem, some weekdays could be range days or cut short a bit for range time.)
2) It is as flexible as everyone says. Paul can have multiple people doing different topics at the same time.
3) I did this in one 6 hour day, one 8 hour day and one two hour range time. I believe this is as fast as you could do it unless you can schedule range time on one of your days — which is probably tricky to do.
4) You can bring lunch and probably should if you’re staying all day.
5) The range day costs $ 25 to simply shoot to qualify (21 out of 30 in the target). Depending upon availability, you can pay $ 55 and get more shooting time practicing some interesting things with Paul (one handed shooting, each hand, double taps, rapid fire from ready position, etc.) If you have not shot a lot, or even if you have, and the extra $ 30 is affordable, I enjoyed this portion and I know everyone else did as well.
6) Submitting fingerprints with your application is optional. However, if you don’t, Paul indicated the average wait time after application was close to 120 days. If you do, the average wait time is closer to 42 – 45 day. He can have a fingerprint guy come to the classroom and do your prints for $ 65. If they already have your prints for something else (adoption, bonding, etc.) it doesn’t matter, you still need to submit new prints.
7) All-​in, I spent $ 199 for the class, $ 55 for the range and $ 65 for the fingerprints. $ 319 total all paid on first day. Print guy will take a credit card but the rest is cash. (Plus ammo — 50 rounds if just qualifying, 150 – 250 rounds if taking the extended shooting option)
a) The online Illinois State Police fee is $ 150 + $ 3.53 processing, you can use a credit card. Total with application was $ 472. Skip prints and extra range time and you can be all-​in for $ 377.
Last comment — the primary thing you learn in this class is how much responsibility getting your CCW carries. «You are liable for every bullet that comes out of your gun.» is something Paul will mention multiple times. If you fear for your life, you should feel confident to use your weapon. If you are a hothead or want to be Dirty Harry, you should probably skip getting a CCW.

When I was researching for a CCW class in Chicagoland area and I happened to find Illinois Protect And Conceal right down the block from me. So I figured I’ll just show up since they accepted walk ins. Paul is an awesome instructor. Very knowledgeable guy. He goes above and beyond expectations. He answered every single of my question. Classroom was small so it was pretty personal which was good. I definitely recommend this place to anyone looking to get their CCW.

Great class! Paul is an awesome instructor. Very professional and keeps the classroom interesting/​relevant. Whether you have no experience with firearms or have been shooting for 30 years, you won’t regret signing up. Looking forward to continuing my education and honing my skills with IPAC.

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 16^th 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.

Excellent training experience. Even if you have some fundamentals or background in handling firearms, Paul will help you step up your game. Very professional instructor.

Awesome class very informative and very flexible with hours. Instructior was very intelligent and very easy to work with

Paul is extremely flexible with hours and this was the main pulling point for me. I was recommended by another student and wasn’t disappointed. Fun, hands-​on, thorough training is what you can find here. Clean and comfortable classroom environment. Will refer to all. Highly suggest checking Illinois Protect and Conceal for all your learning needs. Myriad of training available.

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.

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!

Paul is a Great Conceal & Carry Instructor as well as other non lethal options! He’s a hands on straight to the business instructor who’s passionate about his work! If you want the best in Conceal Carry, Illinois Protect And Conceal is the Best there is! I will Definitely refer anyone I know who is interested in these services to Paul! Thanks Again!

Paul is a good man! He’s easy to talk to. He works with your schedule. Very accommodating. Learned a lot from taking this course. By flexible, I mean REALLY flexible. Walked in at 10am and he didn’t have a class. But still chose to give 2 hours — one on one training. Came back later that evening and knocked out another 6 hours of class. Two days later did another 6 hours! I could have really finished the whole CCL course in THREE days! Backtobacktoback! But I had a huge brain fart and missed the scheduled shooting range because I lost track of time. But you get the point. 5 stars for Illinois Protect and Conceal!

My boyfriend and I took this class together. Before we signed up we researched many different options and this location offered the best prices and the best times available to take the class. The idea of sitting through an 8 hour class did not appeal to me nor did it work with my work schedule. Paul’s class allows you to break up your 16 hours into 2, 4, 6, or 8 hour classes. He also provides individualized attention so you always feel like you’re a part of the class. He’s very thorough with the information provided and he makes the class fun. If I had to do this class all over again I would go back and take it with Paul.

Take this class! Very knowledgeable and Paul is a great instructor! He’s very flexible and is always willing to accommodate you! You won’t be disappointed.

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.

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

Heard about Paul and his classes from a friend. Real pro who doesn’t take himself too seriously. Great weapons training for all experience levels. Classes are convenient to your schedule. Arranges range times for you and will take you through the whole confusing process. Really fair prices. Look no further for a concealed carry class.

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.

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!

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.

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
and support a local business, you won’t be disappointed!