About – Down Range LLC

About Down Range LLC

Professional Firearms Education, Trusted Leadership & Community Since 2013

Whether you’re taking your first firearms course or continuing your training, Down Range LLC is committed to providing practical instruction, experienced leadership, and a welcoming environment where responsible firearms ownership is always the priority.

About Us

Foolproof Tactics & Credible Firearms Education Since 2013

Founded with a mission to deliver the highest-quality tactical training, Down Range LLC has grown into northern Illinois’ trusted community resource for responsible gun ownership. Our instructional team brings together professionals with decades of combined experience across law enforcement, military service, and competitive shooting fields.

Our Historic Home

A Unique Facility with a Story to Tell

We are proudly located inside the historic Echelon Building, originally constructed in 1908. One of the building’s most unique features is the original bank vault, which now serves as a distinctive display room inside our facility. It reflects both the history of the building and the passion that drives Down Range LLC forward.

Built on Experience

Professional Training You Can Trust

Down Range LLC is a professional training and consulting company, founded in 2013 with the mission of providing the highest quality training and consulting services to military, law enforcement, and private security personnel. We specialize in tactical training, force protection, security operations, and personal protection services.

Our goal is to provide our clients with the most comprehensive and realistic training possible. Our approach is to use the latest technology and techniques to provide our clients with the skills and knowledge necessary to protect and serve their communities.

Our training is conducted in a safe and secure environment and is tailored to meet the needs of each individual client.

Meet Matt Gerard

The Vision Behind Down Range LLC

Matt Gerard founded Down Range LLC in 2013. Matt has been an active Police Officer for over 15 years, and has Master Firearms Instruction, Sniper Instruction, and Conceal Carry classes under his belt. He loves teaching and being involved in the community.

Courses Matt Instructs

Illinois Concealed Carry License and Renewals

Basic and Enhanced Sniper School

Dry Fire Sessions

Defensive and Close-Quarter Handgun

Defensive and Close-Quarter Carbine

Force on Force Decision Making

Red Dot Handgun

Handgun Maintenance and Cleaning

What We Believe

Our Commitment to Every Student

Safety First

Every single course begins and ends with strict safe firearm handling principles.

Integrity

We only teach and sell what we truly believe in.

Excellence

Continuous improvements in our curriculum, training techniques, and customer experience.

Community

Building a safer northern Illinois, one trained citizen at a time.

Meet the Down Range Krew

Experienced Professionals Dedicated to Your Success

Brad Ferrari

Instructor & Shop Manager

Brad is currently the Down Range shop manager and is often involved in making sure the classes are being run smoothly. Besides becoming an instructor, Brad regularly trains and makes his appearances at local classes as a student.

Courses

Illinois Conceal Carry License/Renewals

Defensive Handgun

Force on Force Decision Making

Cory Shepherd

Instructor

Cory's one of the guys you'll see in the shop, helping out in classes, and teaching our Stop the Bleed Emergency Response Class. Cory is an active police officer with years of experience and exited from the Marine Corps in 2017. He's also in charge of making those nifty drone videos you see posted from time to time.

Courses

Basic and Enhanced Stop the Bleed Emergency Medical Response

Mark Ackland

Range Safety Officer

Mark brings Matt's ideas of how the shop should look to life. Mark is always learning, making appearances in local classes as a student and RSO. Mark was adopted into Down Range because of his dedication and motivation in classes over the last few years.

Alfred Malloy

Marketing & Social Media

Alfred is a devoted firearms student, attending classes regularly and always working to expand his knowledge. In addition to joining us at the shop, he's taken on responsibilities of managing our marketing and social media.

Matt Taylor

Firearms Enthusiast

Matt is a motivated firearms enthusiast who brings unique knowledge and experience to Down Range.

More Than Firearms Training

Expanding the Down Range Experience

Our training staff consists of experienced and certified professionals with extensive experience in their respective fields. We have a team of subject matter experts in firearms training, defensive tactics, force protection, security operations, and personal protection. Our instructors have been certified in all aspects of tactical training and are highly regarded in the industry.

As Down Range continues to grow, we have also branched out into experiential entertainment including John Wick “tastings” like in the second movie, while adding suppressor and machine gun shooting opportunities for qualified participants.