Guardian Concepts

Guardian Concepts is a personal defense and concealed carry training company based in Kankakee, Illinois. We train everyday citizens to become Guardians of their own lives: people who take responsibility for their personal safety and protecting their families from potential threats.

We offer Illinois Basic and Advanced Concealed Carry classes, the 4-hour CCW renewal, simulator training, home defense essentials, defensive shotgun and rifle, AVERT active-shooter response, Red Dot pistol instruction, and a full library of online courses available 24/7. Whether you are brand new to firearms or an experienced shooter, our friendly, safety-first instruction meets you where you are.

Our instructors bring decades of combined experience from the U.S. military, federal SWAT teams, and law enforcement.

Founder & Lead Instructor

John Haberkamp is the Founder and Lead Instructor of Guardian Concepts. A U.S. Navy veteran, John served honorably from 1998 to 2006, completing multiple overseas deployments, including Kosovo and Afghanistan. Following his military service, he spent more than eight years in the executive protection industry, working as an Independent Close Protection Specialist and Private Military Contractor. During that time, he provided protective services for government agencies, high-profile executives, VIPs, and celebrities throughout the United States and internationally, including extensive work in the Middle East.

Drawing on decades of real-world experience, John founded Guardian Concepts with a mission to provide practical, reality-based training that empowers responsible citizens to protect themselves, their families, and their communities. His instruction emphasizes mindset, situational awareness, defensive firearms skills, legal considerations, emergency preparedness, and building confidence through consistent training.

Beyond Guardian Concepts, John serves as a Board Member, Program Coordinator, and volunteer with Project Headspace and Timing (PHAT), a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of veterans through advocacy, peer support, and community outreach. He is passionate about supporting veterans, promoting responsible firearm ownership, and helping others become capable, confident protectors.

John and his wife, Michelle, have built both their family and their businesses together. They are proud parents of seven children and grandparents to five grandchildren, and they remain committed to serving their community through education, leadership, and a shared dedication to helping others become their own first line of defense.

Operations & Administration

Michelle G. - Michelle is the driving force behind the day-to-day operations at Guardian Concepts. While much of her work happens behind the scenes, her dedication keeps the organization running smoothly. She manages administrative operations, coordinates scheduling, assists with marketing initiatives, oversees social media efforts, and helps ensure every class, event, and customer interaction is organized and professional.

Known for her exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail, Michelle plays a vital role in keeping the team focused, projects moving forward, and the mission on track. Her ability to manage countless details allows the instructors to focus on delivering high-quality training to every student.

Outside of Guardian Concepts, Michelle is a licensed real estate broker and enjoys helping families navigate one of life's biggest investments. She is also a proud mother and grandmother who understands the importance of protecting and providing for those you love—a value that aligns perfectly with the mission of Guardian Concepts.

Whether she's coordinating operations behind the scenes or helping grow the Guardian Concepts community, Michelle's commitment, professionalism, and passion are an essential part of the organization's success.

Morgan S. - she works closely with Michelle to oversee curriculum development, marketing, event logistics, and daily administrative operations. Behind the scenes, Morgan helps ensure courses, events, and organizational initiatives run smoothly while supporting Guardian Concepts' mission of providing high-quality firearms and personal defense education.

Currently pursuing her Elementary Education teaching certification, Morgan brings a passion for teaching and a strong understanding of how people learn. She applies those skills to developing engaging course materials, enhancing the student experience, and helping make training accessible, organized, and effective for individuals of all experience levels.

Morgan's passion for the shooting sports began at a young age through hunting and trap shooting, fostering a lifelong appreciation for responsible firearm ownership, firearm safety, and the outdoors. Her personal experience with firearms, combined with her educational background, provides a unique perspective that strengthens the Guardian Concepts team.

Whether assisting Michelle with day-to-day operations, coordinating logistics, developing educational content, or supporting marketing initiatives, Morgan is dedicated to ensuring every student has an exceptional experience. Her commitment to education, organization, and service helps Guardian Concepts continue to empower individuals and families with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to protect themselves responsibly.

Personal Defense Instructors:

Chris S. - Bio Coming

Ian M. - serves as a Concealed Carry (CCL) Instructor with Guardian Concepts, bringing more than 19 years of personal firearms experience and a passion for developing safe, responsible gun owners. He is dedicated to providing comprehensive, hands-on instruction that equips students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to carry responsibly.

Ian believes every student learns at their own pace and prioritizes creating a welcoming, supportive learning environment where questions are encouraged and confidence is built before progressing to the next skill. His patient and practical teaching style helps both new and experienced firearm owners feel comfortable while developing the fundamentals necessary for responsible concealed carry.

As an instructor, Ian's mission is to cultivate confident, responsible firearm owners who understand not only how to safely operate a firearm, but also the mindset, legal responsibilities, and decision-making that accompany carrying one for personal protection.

Ian is proud to be part of the Guardian Concepts team and is excited to support its continued growth within the firearms and personal defense community. He shares the organization's commitment to empowering individuals with the training, education, and confidence needed to take responsibility for their own safety and the safety of those they love.

Cody C. - Bio Coming

Steve R. - is the Owner and Founder of Titan Tactical and serves as one of Guardian Concepts' lead instructors. He is an 11-year U.S. Army veteran who served as an Infantryman with an additional specialty as a Combat Engineer, completing multiple overseas deployments in support of military operations.

Steve brings nearly a decade of law enforcement experience to the training environment and is Federally SWAT Certified. He is a certified and licensed firearms instructor through the Illinois State Police, Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), the USCCA, and the NRA. His diverse professional background allows him to provide students with practical, real-world instruction rooted in both military and civilian applications.

In addition to his firearms expertise, Steve has an extensive medical background. He is both a licensed Registered Nurse and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), holding numerous medical certifications that enhance his ability to teach emergency trauma care and life-saving skills alongside defensive training.

A lifelong student of the defensive arts, Steve is committed to continually advancing his knowledge and abilities. He has trained with military units, law enforcement agencies, and nationally recognized instructors, including Pete "The Greek" Milionis, Todd Fossey, Steve Hendricks, and many others. His passion for continuous improvement ensures students receive modern, effective, and experience-driven instruction that prepares them for real-world situations.

Ben G. - Brings more than a decade of law enforcement experience to the Guardian Concepts team, having served in Corrections, Patrol, Criminal Investigations, and Training divisions. Throughout his career, he has been committed to developing both officers and citizens through professional, practical instruction. He has served as a Field Training Officer, mentoring newly hired patrol officers, and as a department firearms instructor responsible for developing and delivering firearms training.

Before his law enforcement career, Ben proudly served five years in the U.S. Army as an Infantryman, where he developed the discipline, leadership, and tactical foundation that continue to shape his approach to training today.

Ben currently serves in a law enforcement training capacity, instructing officers in firearms, Illinois State Use of Force for Law Enforcement, Red Dot Pistol Instructor courses, Use of Force Instructor programs, Lead Homicide Investigator training, and other advanced law enforcement disciplines. He is also a USCCA Certified Concealed Carry Instructor, bringing his experience to responsibly armed citizens seeking to improve their knowledge, confidence, and defensive skills.

With a background in education and a passion for lifelong learning, Ben believes effective instructors are first committed students. He continually pursues advanced training and professional development to ensure his instruction remains current, practical, and relevant. His goal is to equip every student with the skills, mindset, and confidence needed to succeed in real-world situations.

Desmond D. - A firearms instructor, media professional, and entrepreneur based in Illinois with a strong passion for education, personal protection, and community engagement. A graduate of Illinois Media School, Desmond brings years of experience in communication, public speaking, and leadership into every class he teaches.

As an instructor with Guardian Concepts Chicago, he is committed to helping everyday people become safer, more confident, and more responsible firearm owners through practical, real-world training. His instruction style focuses on safety, situational awareness, legal understanding, and building confidence for both new and experienced shooters.

Beyond firearms instruction, Desmond has a background in podcasting, radio broadcasting, graphic design, and event promotion, giving him a unique ability to connect with students from all walks of life. He believes training should be professional, approachable, and grounded in real-life application. Desmond’s mission is to create a welcoming environment where students leave better prepared, better informed, and empowered to protect themselves and their families responsibly.

Range Safety Officers (RSO)

Austin H. - serves as a Range Safety Officer (RSO) with Guardian Concepts, where he is committed to maintaining a safe, organized, and professional training environment for every student. His attention to detail, calm demeanor, and dedication to safety help ensure that every course and live-fire event is conducted with the highest standards of range discipline.

As a Range Safety Officer, Austin works closely with instructors and students to reinforce safe firearm handling practices, monitor range operations, and assist participants throughout their training experience. He believes that safety is the foundation of effective firearms education and strives to create an environment where students can build confidence while developing their skills.

Austin is passionate about responsible firearm ownership and enjoys helping others gain the knowledge and confidence needed to become safe and capable firearm owners. Whether assisting new shooters or supporting experienced students during advanced training, he is dedicated to making every individual feel welcomed, supported, and successful.

As a valued member of the Guardian Concepts team, Austin takes pride in helping deliver a professional training experience that reflects the organization's commitment to education, safety, and empowering individuals to protect themselves and their families responsibly.