Chief Firearms Instructor
Daniel J. Conidi is a lawyer, firearms and self-defense instructor. He has taught police techniques and civilian self-defense to both law enforcement officers and private citizens since 1982. Dan is the Chief Firearms Instructor at Defcon-1 Firearms Training. Dan serves as Lead Instructor for many of our classes. His primary areas of focus are marksmanship and weapons manipulations, specifically short and long range accuracy, the draw, reloads, speed shooting, and movement. In addition, shooters are instructed in how to practice efficiently and how to self-evaluate their training progress.
Dan was a Senior Special Agent at the United States Department of Homeland Security and the United States Department of Justice with over 26 years of experience. As a Senior Special Agent, Dan worked in counter-terrorism, anti-smuggling, criminal alien apprehension and gang enforcement task force operations. Dan was responsible for the organization, planning, and structuring many high-risk raids and warrant operations across the United States.
Retiring from Homeland Security in 2013, he was a founding partner of the Alliant Law Group, LLC (Alliant Law) in Chicago and currently oversees the business and operation of the firm. Alliant Law specialize in federal criminal defense and immigration law.
Dan has been a law enforcement officer and firearms instructor longer than he has practiced law. Over the years, he has trained thousands of individuals. Sometimes in one-on-one classes, and other times with large groups. Dan finds giving firearms-related training to be an enjoyable way to spend some of his free time.
Dan is a graduate of the United States Army Officer Candidate School (OCS), Military Police Basic Officer Leader Course (BOLC), Cook County Sheriff’s Academy; Federal Law Enforcement Training Center Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP) and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center Criminal Investigator Journeyman Training Program (CIJTP). Dan has attended over 2000 hours of tactical and firearms training instruction over his career with the United States government and in his personal life.
Dan is a former United States Army Commissioned Military Police Officer, 2nd Lieutenant, Platoon Leader and expert marksman, Dan is a lifelong competitive shooter in several disciplines.
Instructor Certifications:
- Certified – Illinois State Police CCW Instructor
- Approved-Concealed Carry Curriculum
- IL Dept. of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) Private Security Contractor
- IL Dept. of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) Private Detective
- IL Dept. of Professional and Financial Regulation (IDFPR) Certified Firearms Instructor
- IL Dept. of Professional and Financial Regulation (IDFPR) Licensed Private Security Contractor
- IL Dept. of Professional and Financial Regulation (IDFPR), approved Basic 20-Hour Training Course
- IL Dept. of Professional and Financial Regulation (IDFPR), approved Armed 20-Hour Training Course
- National Rifle Association (NRA) Chief Range Safety Officer
- National Rifle Association (NRA) Certified Pistol Instructor
- National Rifle Association (NRA) Certified Rifle Instructor
- National Rifle Association (NRA) Certified Shotgun Instructor
- National Rifle Association (NRA) Personal Protection Inside the Home
- National Rifle Association (NRA) Personal Protection Outside the Home
- National Rifle Association (NRA) Home Safety Instructor
- National Rifle Association (NRA) Refuse to be a Victim Instructor
Intermediate Force Instructor Certifications:
- Handcuffing
- Collapsible Baton
- OC/Pepper Spray
- Weapons Retention
- Taser
Professional Affiliations:
- International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association (ILEETA)
- International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors (IALEFI)
- Fraternal Order of Police (FOP)
- National Rifle Association (NRA)-Life Member
- Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA)
- Federal Criminal Investigators Association (FCIA)
- Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOLA)
- Fraternal Order of Police (FOP)
- International Police Association (IPA)
- ASIS International (ASIS)