John Downey
Instructor # 3648465 | Critical Home Defense Training and Consulting
Certified with the USCCA since 11/6/2024
Certification Renewal Date 11/6/2026
USCCA Certifications
- Concealed Carry & Home Defense
- Countering the Mass Shooter
- Children's Firearms & Safety Fundamentals
My Biography
John, a retired Army Special Forces disabled veteran with multiple combat deployments, transitioned to civilian federal service after 20 years of military service. He worked for nine years as a Security Specialist and Facility Security Manager for the federal government.
John started Critical Home Defense in 2024 to enable others to learn the skills necessary to protect themselves and their loved ones through the sharing of his extensive real-world experience as well as the necessary mindset that one needs to adopt in order to increase one’s defensive security posture. Learn More @ CRITICALHOMEDEFENSE.COM
Current Classes Available
- Sun, Oct. 18, 2026 8:00 AM
Maryland Wear and Carry Renewal
with John Downey5.0Critical Home Defense Training and Consulting
Gambrills, MD$125
Sun, Oct. 25, 2026 8:00 AMMaryland Wear and Carry Renewal
with John Downey5.0Critical Home Defense Training and Consulting
Gambrills, MD$125
- Sat, Oct. 17, 2026 8:00 AM
Maryland Wear and Carry Course-Sat-Sun (HQL Included)
with John Downey5.0Critical Home Defense Training and Consulting
Gambrills , MD$275
Sat, Oct. 24, 2026 8:00 AMMaryland Wear and Carry Course-Sat-Sun (HQL Included)
with John Downey5.0Critical Home Defense Training and Consulting
Gambrills , MD$275
Request a Class
MARYLAND Wear and Carry Renewal
Over the course of the 8 hours of instruction, we will cover all Maryland required training in accordance with Maryland State Police, State and Federal Laws.
Basic Pistol Fundamentals Firearms Safety Firearms Storage Federal, State and Local Laws Dealing with the Aftermath Interacting with the Police Qualification Range
MARYLAND Wear and Carry Course Syllabus
Over the course of the 16 hours of instruction, we will cover all Maryland required training in accordance with Maryland State Police, State and Federal Laws.
Day 1:
●Handgun Fundamentals
● Range course of fire practice
● Live Fire at the Range (Cindy's Hot Shots, Severn)
● Defensive Shooting Fundamentals
● Use of Force and Use of Deadly Force
Day 2:
● Federal and Maryland State Firearms Laws
● How to deal with Police and preparing your defense
● Violent Encounters and the Aftermath
● The application process ● Developing a Personal and Home Protection Plan
● Gear and Gadgets
● Future continuing education options, and next steps.
Other topics covered:
● Personal Safety
● Handgun Safety
● Handgun Selection
The live fire portion of the class may occur on day 1 or day 2 depending on the class size and individual student requirements. I will advise students on the first day of training as to which day they will attend the range.
This class will allow you to purchase a regulated firearm in the state of Maryland.
We will cover:
Self-Defense Firearms Basics
Shooting Fundamentals
The Legal Use of Force
Other topics covered: Personal Safety, Handgun Safety, Handgun Fundamentals, Handgun Operation, Handgun Selection.
Our active shooter training course was created by experienced law enforcement and military veterans and is intended to help employers and worship leaders enhance their preparedness for the worst-case scenario of violence. There have been countless national tragedies at schools, places of worship, and in the workplace. The risk that they pose is real. The course will include a comprehensive discussion examining options to help mitigate the effects of critical active shooter incidents that apply to other environments outside the workplace, such as open spaces, education, residence, airports, hotels, conference centers, houses of worship, healthcare, financial institutions, commerce, and other places associated with job functions. The course will analyze and offer an overview of recent and historical active shooter workplace attacks in the U.S., concentrating on survival techniques and practical strategies. Confidence about being a survivor, not a victim is, an active shooter incident can happen at any time.
MARYLAND Wear and Carry Course Syllabus
Over the course of the 16 hours of instruction, we will cover all Maryland required training in accordance with Maryland State Police, State and Federal Laws.
Day 1:
●Handgun Fundamentals
● Range course of fire practice
● Live Fire at the Range (Cindy's Hot Shots, Severn)
● Defensive Shooting Fundamentals
● Use of Force and Use of Deadly Force
Day 2:
● Federal and Maryland State Firearms Laws
● How to deal with Police and preparing your defense
● Violent Encounters and the Aftermath
● The application process ● Developing a Personal and Home Protection Plan
● Gear and Gadgets
● Future continuing education options, and next steps.
Other topics covered:
● Personal Safety
● Handgun Safety
● Handgun Selection
The live fire portion of the class may occur on day 1 or day 2 depending on the class size and individual student requirements. I will advise students on the first day of training as to which day they will attend the range.
This hands-on firearms operation, maintenance, and cleaning class will teach you how to operate and perform cleaning, inspection, lubrication, function testing and the other basics of firearm’s maintenance. After learning on your own firearms we will show you the basic operations and disassembly of several other handguns, rifles, and shotguns.
Prepare to get your hands dirty as you learn the skills to properly maintain your firearms.
Cleaning tools and supplies will be provided for use in the class.
Enrolment is for 1 Parents and 1 Student. An additional parent may attend if space is available.