Be sure to visit the "News" page before you leave.
I would appreciate your sharing this website with your friends
I would like to welcome all visitors to my website.
I hope those of you from around the world will experience a taste of American Liberty before you leave. I am always struck by the number of visitors I get from such places as Russia, Switzerland, Sweden, Canada, Romania, Australia, Japan, Germany, France, Great Briton and other countries where it is difficult if not outright impossible for people to arm themselves for their own personal defense.
I can be reached at 612.388.2403 to discuss all your questions about my training, and what you need.
If you are in an immediate need for a permit to carry, please contact your local Minnesota county sheriff for an emergency permit.
A gun in your hand is better than a cop on the phone!
Minnesota residents can currently carry in 20 states with a Minnesota permit. My training is also accepted by Florida and several other states who issue non-resident permits. With my training, you can currently carry in a total of 37 states using a multiple of non-resident permits.
Why Should You Take My Course?
Aren't All DPS Certified Courses the Same?
Well, no.
AACFI wrote the original Minnesota MCPPA permit to carry curriculum. Many other firearms trainers have copied this course, but like art, a copy is still a copy.
Besides presenting what really has become the model in Minnesota for instruction for citizens who wish to responsibly carry lethal force publicly, as a former commercial insurance broker for thirty years, my students leave my class knowing for certain how they can be covered financially for a justified defensive gun use. They will be armed with questions to ask their own insurance broker or resources they can turn to for help if needed (I do not sell anyone insurance myself). Some people have already found out at the worst possible time (after they shot) that they could not afford to do what they did to save their life. You still have a choice if you become one of them or not, depending upon who trains you.
Minnesota law does not require any firearms instructor to explain how you can finance a justified defensive gun use - and frankly, without a professional insurance background, perhaps they shouldn't. Some organizations do sell stand alone policy's but they typically have very low limits, exclusions which may not be good for you and are comparatively expensive. Umbrella liability policy's may also have problematic exclusions or conditions and they are always an additional cost. This does not mean you still do not need to address this so you are properly protected financially for legal costs or damages from either intended or unintended consequences of a justified defensive gun use.
As an important part of my training, my students will know before they decide to carry a gun in public how to be very well protected financially. Perhaps you are financially protected now, but in case you're not, why wait until the worst possible time to find out and after it's too late to fix it?
A defensive gun use can easily cost into six figures before it is all over. Carrying a gun can financially ruin your life in ways you can't even imagine, if you do not have the ready cash to pay for defending yourself. I will explain how you can be properly insured for protecting yourself and your family. If you are thinking of attending anyone else's class, find out how they think you should cover the cost of legal fees and other damages, including what may happen should your bullet stray and you shoot an innocent person.
All my renewal students may attend any one of my regular permit to carry classes and learn the same materials my first time permit to carry students learn. You must register under the "renewal" class option. I do not believe in training shortcuts and you will get more value in my class for your money!
Low price and low cost are not interchangeable terms. Consider if you really afford to take the "cheap" $69 class if it turns out you are being left financially exposed for even a small amount for a lawyer like $20,000 or $30,000? A $69 class could turn out to be much more expensive than my class should you ever need to use your gun..
My Minnesota Permit to Carry One Day Training - what everyone (new and renewal students) will learn:
Is it time to think about renewing your permit?
It's been nearly five years since your last class and you have a decision to make. Whose renewal training will you attend?
On the surface it may seem like no big decision if all you want is a certificate to give your sheriff. Who offers the lowest price class for the shortest amount of time? Well, low price does not equal low cost. Let's face it, you spend one day every five years in class and there may be things you either do not know or may have forgotten.
I will accept renewal students into my regular permit to carry class which covers more than the law requires, and information you may not have learned from your instructor years ago, or even me. My class has evolved over time and frankly, so have I. Because I believe it is important for everyone to know what I know, including how to finance a defensive gun use, I will treat everyone equally.
If you were my previous student or not, my renewal tuition is $75 and you are welcome to attend any one of my regularly scheduled classes - providing seats are available. You will see each class listed twice on my schedule because there is a separate class registration for renewal students. Please bring your permit to class with you. You will need your firearm and 30 rounds of ammo. Range fees and targets are extra.
Your training must be within one year of your renewal date but you make your application for renewal within 90 days of it's expiration date.
My one day permit to carry classes are scheduled at different locations in both Minnesota and Wisconsin. Please check my current class schedule by clicking on the "classes" link above. I will also schedule private classes for groups of 10 or more people.
The class is about 6.5 hours long plus the shooting qualification. All classes will begin promptly at 9 a.m. so please plan to be there by 8:45 a.m. to get your class materials.
What will all this cost?
My normal tuition for a new Minnesota student is $150 per person. However, when you refer your friends to me, I will give a $25 discount to you and to each person you refer. Referred students may also refer their friends and they will receive a $25 discount as well. From time to time, I offer other fun promotions just for those people who refer their friends to me, just to say thanks. Renewal students may attend any regularly scheduled class (space permitting) for a $75 tuition.
Range fees if any (around $20 or so) and ammunition are extra. You will need 30 rounds of ammunition to qualify.
The application fee to your sheriff is also an additional cost. Sheriffs can and do charge up to $100 at the time of application (however there are no annual renewal fees). Minnesota residents must apply to the sheriff in the county in which you live. Non-Minnesota residents may apply to any Minnesota sheriff. Everyone must make their application in person.
Pre-registration for class is required and easy. If you or your friends or family want to attend a class, just click on the "classes" button above, then click "register" for the new or renewal class that you wish to attend, then complete the required information. You will need a Visa or MasterCard handy which will be charged my reduced tuition of $125 if you are a new student, or $75 if you are a renewal student when you register. Be sure to invite your spouse, significant other, your friends and family to attend class with you.
The Minnesota permit is a really good value because this permit is a five year permit and in addition to
Once you have your Minnesota permit, you can obtain a
My training is also recognized by Florida (permit application cost is $117, no additional training required), which adds the following states (to a MN and NH combination); Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Ohio and Texas.
If you are a retired law enforcement officer, I can range qualify you for your federal permit under HR218. All other materials you need are available from AACFI.
You do not need to own a handgun to attend this class.
If you do have a handgun, you will need to bring it with at least two magazines (for auto loaders) and 30 rounds of ammo for the shooting exercise. Although Minnesota law does not specify what firearm you must use to qualify, I ask students not to bring any .22 caliber or 44 magnums as they really are not suitable carry guns. If you have any question about your handgun, please contact me and we will discuss your concerns.
For those students who do not own a handgun, I have several handguns you may use. If you prefer, I have a CZ75P01 9mm pistol, a CZ P40 in .40 S&W, a .380 High Point and a Beretta .32 Tomcat you may also use. You will need to buy a box of appropriate ammunition.
This is a self defense class and women are encouraged to attend.
Below are several questions my students are asked to complete for me on their course feedback sheet. I am sharing their remarks with you because from these responses, you will get a pretty good idea of what to expect from me, if you decide to attend one of my classes.
Permit holder data is by Minnesota law, private. There are no identifiable names associated with these comments for a reason.
Did the course material cover the necessary information?
Yes, I was totally in awe. First time I paid attention during that long of class in my whole life .
Very well presented – thank you. I think Gene covered all the necessary material. I say I think – because I do not know what I should know about firearm instruction. I know I have a lot to learn. I learned some important things today. Call 911, be polite, and use common sense.
Much to know, information on insurance and lawyers – makes me think.
Yes! Eye opener.
Yes, it was a very through course.
Learned a lot of new stuff, training was good. Good visual displays.
And a lot more! Very good class.
Yes, a lot to learn and much more I need to learn.
The material was done well. The instructor added real life seriousness.
Yes, I understand the risks and responsibilities of carrying. The handouts are outstanding and the book will be a great reference at home.
Was the instructor knowledgeable of the material?
Yes, there was never a question he was asked that he did not know the answer in detail. All points were covered thoroughly.
Instructor conveyed himself well and was able to answer questions.
Yes, Gene had more than enough information. He had many experiences he related with enthusiasm and passion. This was my first experience, so for me it was too much information for one day.
Yes, gave plenty of examples.
Yes, answered everything that I had wondered about.
The instructor knew a vast amount of information and it helped that it was a very important part of his life.
Yes, Gene is very well versed in covering legal and practical matters pertaining to the program.
He knew the material very well, was friendly and helpful.
Gene knows his subjects. Very comfortable with the material, explains it well and thoroughly. Provoked quite a bit of what I’m sure was new thinking about concealed carry and consequences of mistakes.
Yes, good at explaining and making sure material was understood.
Gene seems intimately involved in the laws and the processes.
Was the material presented well? Was the course participatory?
Yes. Interesting discussion on hand loads. Gene mixed in some humor – well delivered.
I felt comfortable participating; the material was presented in an easy to understand format. I liked the overhead power point and the hard copy power point to follow along and write notes.
Yes, great material and presented well.
It was presented well, easy to follow, and a large amount of participation.
Gene, I felt that you presented the material in a serious manner, which it is, and I also liked to see some of the humor mixed with it.
Good handouts which all have good information. Good group participation.
Gene was very engaging. Made us think during discussions. Lots of dialog among the group that I know contributed to understanding and reason.
What I liked about the training that I received from you is your common sense presentation. You mixed the realities, if you draw or use a weapon, mixed with practicalities of how to properly live you life, i.e. your statement that when you carry you create a more polite society.
Yes, I learned a lot in a form I could understand, we participated through the whole thing.
The materials were on Powerpoint, The nice addition was the extra materials and “Gene’s notes to you”.
All class members were asked questions and involved in demonstrations .
Were the facilities appropriate for the course?
The classroom was great. The shooting in the range made excellent background music .
The facilities were very nice and comfortable .
Fine, and the U – shaped tables permitted Gene enough room to walk through on “demos”.
Room was good. Seating in a “U” shape provided good group to teacher atmosphere.
Were firearms handled safely and was safety well instructed?
Safety was foremost and always stressed in every situation of the class.
I felt safety came first and every demonstration demonstrated all safety aspects.
Yes, taken very seriously as expected.
Yes, that already was catching.
Gene demonstrated how to handle a gun safely and passing it between two people properly.
Gene drilled safety all day! I thought everyone was conscientious in class and at the range. No missteps. Gene’s efforts in this regard were appreciated.
Yes, nice for a novice to see how to handle and actually hands on approach.
Yes, we were taught how to handle and which direction to point, proper ways to hand off to another person as well.
Time was spent to help understand safe handling procedures.
Other remarks:
I’m a
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Thanks a bunch for providing Jenifer and me with training for personal protection and firearm safety. You have a great program and presentation that covers critical topics pertaining to concealed carry – legal, moral, practical, and safety. Very informative, entertaining, and thorough. I’m certain you’re making a contribution to the effort to reduce violence and the number of crime victims as well as to promote firearm safety. I’ll recommend your program to others.
Thanks too, for your long hours and hard work to explain the benefits of a