California law allows Police Chiefs and County Sheriffs to issue a license to carry a concealed firearm if the following requirements are met:
- Upon proof the the person applying is of good moral character
- The applicant is a resident of the county, or city, to which they are applying (or the applicant’s place of employment is within the city or county)
- The applicant has completed a course of training (4-16 hours)
Advantage Personal Defense and Tactics has built an excellent reputation in San Luis Obispo County for providing comprehensive training in the classroom as well as on the firing range. Our goal is to ensure you are adequately prepared, mentally and physically, to make the decision to carry a firearm concealed on your person.
Classroom instruction is enhanced by conducting scenario based exercises; designed to clarify legal issues, reinforce lesson content and encourage critical thinking. The program is not intended to be a firearms training course but has been designed to prepare each student to think and react responsibly under stressful conditions in realistic circumstances. Carrying a concealed weapon requires awareness and knowledge and focus, all of which constitute the core of this training.
Our classes are all 8 hours and are designed to meet, or exceed, the minimum training requirement regulations that were adopted and signed into law; effective January 1, 2019.
All instruction is conducted by Ian McKnight, who is a NRA Certified Firearms Instructor and Training Counselor. Ian is also a California POST Certified Instructor and tactical firearms advisor and instructor for several local law enforcement agencies.
The following SLO County law enforcement agencies have approved Advantage Personal Defense and Tactics as a CCW Training Provider: San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office, San Luis Obispo Police, Arroyo Grande Police, Atascadero Police, Morro Bay Police, Pismo Beach Police, Paso Robles Police, Grover Beach Police, Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, Monterey County Sheriff’s Office and Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.
Classes are held regularly and are shown on the Calendar of Events on this website.
Per SB2 – Beginning January 1, 2024 all first time CCW applicants require a minimum of 16 hours (2 day) class. Renewals require a minimum of 8 hours. Based on the new SB2 requirements, the training fee for new applicants is $100. Renewals training fee is $75.
For more information please email Ian at selfdefensedynamics@gmail.com.
At this time, payment can be made on the day of class in the form of cash or check, or ahead of time via the registration on the Events page, or through Venmo at Ian-McKnight-3
PLEASE READ REQUIREMENTS BEFORE APPLYING FOR A CLASS
- Location: Confirmed at the time of purchase / sign-up.
- First time applicants from Santa Barbara County are required to complete a 2 day course (16 hours), the cost of which is $100.
- The class revolves around conflict resolution and tactical and critical thinking rather than shooting. We discuss the legal and civil responsibilities that apply to concealed carry as well as some easy to practice mental preparedness drills. Bring all the firearms that will be on your permit, a good quality holster IS required. You must have a safe and quality method of carry, i.e: fanny pack, purse, outside the waistband, inside the waistband ETC. Holsters must be able to allow the firearm to be drawn and re-holstered with one hand only!! Also, bring enough ammunition to complete the appropriate qualification course of fire. The qualification is the same for all agencies now and requires 24 rounds per gun to complete. Please be prepared to qualify!! If you have problems operating your carry firearm, please let us know prior to class so we can make arrangements to assist. There will be a lunch break around noon. There will be time to head into town to grab some food or you may bring lunch or run into town to grab something.
- Questions? Email Ian at selfdefensedynamics@gmail.com
PLEASE BE PREPARED TO SHOOT THE QUALIFICATION COURSE OF FIRE!
DESCRIPTION OF COURSE: This course will be fired in 5 stages. After each portion of the course, the shooter will be allowed to reload magazines/speed loaders etc. to prepare for the next phase of the qualification.
- Stage I – 3 yards – 2 rounds – Draw and fire 2 rounds at Center Mass in 7 seconds
- Stage II – 5 yards – 9 rounds – Draw and fire 2 rounds at Center Mass and 1 round to the head in 10 seconds (X3)
- Stage III – 7 yards – 4 rounds – Draw and fire 2 rounds to one target and 2 rounds to an adjacent target in 15 seconds
- Stage IV – 10 yards – 6 rounds – Draw and fire 3 rounds at center mass in 15 seconds (X2)
- Stage V – 15 yards. – 3 rounds – Draw and fire 3 rounds at center mass in 20 seconds
- NOTE: Reloads will be conducted as needed with all magazines loaded to capacity at the beginning of the course of fire.
- PRACTICE SOME BEFORE HAND IF YOU NEED TO
- BRING A HOLSTER OR CARRY METHOD FOR EACH GUN
- It is a requirement for the approved qualification course of fire that you:
- Must have a holster or other appropriate carry method and know how to properly use it.
- If you do not have an appropriate carry method on the day of the class, you will not be able to qualify on the day of the class.
- If you do not have one, email me and I will help you find something that is acceptable.
- It is a requirement for the approved qualification course of fire that you:
- BRING ENOUGH MAGAZINES TO LOAD OUT FOR THE ENTIRE COURSE(S) OF FIRE (3-4 Magazines).
- DO NOT BRING JUST ONE (1) LOW CAPACITY MAGAZINE)