Mike Maddalozzo instructor and store owner of Maddhouse Sports stated that some concealed-carry permit students have sought to complete the firing portion of their course, to find their previous class time invalid. Concealed-carry permit applicants need to be cautious and verify that their instructors are certified.
“I feel horrible for these people because they paid $200, and we’re here charging $185,” Maddalozzo said. “That’s basically $550, $600 just to get your permit.”
Certain instructors have been teaching classes not approved by the state, printed fake certificates, or have had their certification revoked due to improperly teaching the course. Maddalozzo has seen around 40 people given invalid class credit.
To receive a concealed-carry permit, an Illinois resident must get 16 hours of class time as well as live firearm range training. Some instructors have offered classes, but not the live-fire portion of the class which puts a burden on legitimately certified instructors, Maddalozzo said.
Macomb Police Officer Lindsey May, of Western Illinois Tactical, said that he has seen these scams as well.
“All sorts of scams are popping up, we knew it would,” May said. “It’s an all-new program and there’s a lot of different scams. Here locally I’m worried about a lot of the advertising I’ve seen and things like that.”
The Illinois State Police has a list of certified instructors at ccl4illinois.com, as well as complaint forms for those that have come into contact with instructors that they think might not be legitimate.
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