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Lightning Defense Academy

Don’t Be a Victim

OUR MISSION

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Equip people to protect themselves and others

BY PROVIDING

High Quality Training

We teach tested and proven methods for concealed carry, firearm fundamentals, and home defense. When your life is on the line, you'll have training you can rely on.

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Affordable Supplies

We strive to provide the best products at the best prices. Our goal is to equip as many people as possible with quality supplies they can depend on at the best prices possible.

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Community Support

Meet students and instructors that are willing to help you in your self-defense journey. Our classes encourage questions and learning no matter your current experience level.

HOW WE MEET OUR MISSION

We’re here to make our community a safer place. We do this by offering high quality training from certified instructors while remaining affordable and beginner friendly. Once trained, we help our students get the essential supplies they need for self-defense. This can include holsters, ammo, gun cleaning kits, emergency first-aid kits, pepper spray, and at-home training systems. We offer the best classes and products at the best prices to help you protect what matters most.

 

Whether you're a first time gun owner, never shot a firearm before, or have a lifetime of experience, you'll enjoy our classes and get value by attending. We’ve already trained hundreds of students with over 200 five-star reviews. Book your class today!

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Meet The Owner

John Hernandez

OWNER / INSTRUCTOR

John, originally from communist Cuba, is a martial arts black belt and former top-10 US Karate Association competitor. After opening multiple karate schools in South Florida, he developed a passion for firearms and became a USCCA Certified Instructor. In June 2022, he opened Lightning Defense Academy to help those in the Crystal Lake and McHenry County area protect themselves and their loved ones. 

Certified
USCCA
Instructor

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Concealed
Carry
Instructor

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Emergency
First Aid
Fundamentals

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Women's
Handgun
Fundamentals

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Range
Safety
Officer

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Countering
The Mass
Shooter

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Concealed
Carry
Counselor

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Meet Your Instructors

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John

Owner/Instructor

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Fred

Instructor

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Mili

Tactical Instructor

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Jose

Instructor (Espanol)

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Tracey

Women's Instructor

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Erin

Women's Instructor

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Jayson

Instructor

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Ian

Instructor

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Our Story

Growing up, John had a love for martial arts and self-defense. While living in Florida, he developed a love for firearms to accompany his martial arts background. In recent years, John and his son Ian have gone on to become certified USCCA Instructors to teach others about the importance of self-defense and how to be prepared for a life threatening situation.

Lightning Defense Academy was born in the basement of a humble Woodstock home. Since then we’ve grown from holding classes for friends and family to a storefront classroom with a fully stocked store, We take pride in the fact that we make our neighborhood and town a safer place. We’ve expanded our class offering to now include Concealed Carry, Home Defense, Emergency First-aid, Countering the Mass Shooter Threat, and more. We’re here to empower our students with the knowledge and experience it takes to protect themselves, their families, their businesses, their churches, and their community.

OUR GOAL IS TO

Train Students That Never Become Victims

We don't get to choose the time or place we encounter a life-threatening situation. They are completely unexpected which is why we need to be prepared ahead of time. By teaching concealed carry, self-defense, and emergency first-aid, we equip students to legally protect themselves at home, at work, at church, and while on the go. Our goal is to make our community a safer place and train as many people as possible with life saving techniques and experience.

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PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS

Become a part of Lightning Defense Academy

Gain reliable training you can rely on when you need it the most. Get started on your way to being better prepared to assess, avoid, and defend yourself in dangerous situations. Whether you're looking for concealed carry, home defense, first-aid, or private lessons, you can get started with classes today. 

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