A smiling man with glasses and tattoos on his arms holding a pair of cowboy boots inside a workshop or garage.

About Bethunium Training

Bethunium Training is a queer-owned and -led firearms training company operating in Chicago and the Chicagoland area, with a focus on creating an intellectually safe and comfortable environment for the LGBTQ+ community, women, and people of color.

In addition to our Illinois Concealed Carry training, we run introductory firearms classes for groups and organizations with a focus on safe firearms handling and fundamentals. If our philosophy seems like a fit for you, we’re happy to work together on customized course content or scheduling.

About Jim

Jim Bethune had been shooting for more than a decade before taking the leap to firearms instruction. He puts a heavy focus on creating a welcoming and safe classroom environment for beginners from all backgrounds, free from the bad “jokes” and discriminatory ideologies that can often be found in firearms spaces. Jim lives in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago.

Jim’s training CV includes (in reverse chronological order):

  • NRA Hunter Safety Training (Texas) - NRA online - December 2025

  • NRA Basic Pistol Instructor Certification Course (18 hours) - Brian Kapnick of Marksmanship Training Group LLC, NRA Regional Training Counselor Great Lakes, Carpentersville, IL - July 2025

  • Citizens Safety Academy Gateway Instructor Certification Course (20 hours) - Aqil Qadir and Tiffany Johnson, Murfreesboro, TN - June 2025

  • Skeet Clinic (8 hours) - Ben Berka, Waterman, IL - July 2024

  • Trapshooting Clinic (8 hours) - Phil Kiner, Waterman, IL - May 2024

  • Stop the Bleed (2 hours) - Falcon CPR Training, Park Ridge, IL - September 2023

  • AR-15 Training Level 1 (3 hours) - Maxon Shooter's Supplies, Des Plaines, IL - December 2022

  • Illinois Concealed Carry (16 hours) - SFSN LLC, Des Plaines, IL - November 2022

  • Illinois Concealed Carry Firearm Training (12 hours + credit for previous 4) - Jude Gonzales, Carry312, Chicago, IL - April 2015

  • Chicago Firearm Safety Course (16 hours) - Paul Warren, GAT Guns, East Dundee, IL - January 2013

Certifications

Citizens Safety Academy Gateway Instructor Certified

NRA Pistol Instructor Certified

Illinois CCL Instructor Certified