aq Advantage Personal Defense and Tactics - CCW Certification

CCW Certification

Ian McKnight Instructor Personalized instructionn Qualification Shooting at the range

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. All CCW classes are held at the SLO Sportsmens Association Range facility, 3270 Gilardi Road, San Luis Obispo, CA.

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, I have no choice but to increase the training fee for new applicants from $150 to $225. Renewals training fee will remain at $150.

For more information please email Ian at selfdefensedynamics@gmail.com.
To schedule a class - CLICK HERE

At this time, payment can be made on the day of class in the form of cash or check, or ahead of time through Venmo at Ian-McKnight-3