ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL CHARGES CHICAGOLAND MAN WITH FALSIFYING CONCEALED CARRY CERTIFICATIONS

ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL CHARGES CHICAGOLAND MAN WITH FALSIFYING CONCEALED CARRY CERTIFICATIONS

June 18, 2026

Chicago - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced charges against a Frankfort, Illinois man for marketing and administering concealed carry license courses to the public which were not in compliance with Illinois' Firearm Concealed Carry Act.

Raoul's office charged Brenton Payne, 51, in Cook County Circuit Court with four counts of forgery, Class 3 felonies punishable by up to five years in prison, and one count of the unlawful violation of the Firearm Concealed Carry Act, a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison. Sentences are ultimately determined by the court. Payne pleaded not guilty and his next court date is scheduled for July 20.

"Preventing gun violence across Illinois includes prosecuting individuals who lie to subvert safety requirements and break state law," Raoul said. "I will continue to partner with the Illinois State Police and local law enforcement agencies to hold individuals who choose to break our gun safety laws accountable."

Payne is the owner and operator of the Personal Protection Training Group, a Matteson, Illinois-based business which marketed and administered a one-day qualifying course to members of the public to complete required training under the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Payne is alleged to have falsified certificates by claiming applicants had completed the legally-required 16 hours of training and range qualification exercises when they had not. The Illinois State Police (ISP) investigated the case.

"Concealed carry license training requirements are explicit, not discretionary, and there for a reason," said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. "ISP will fully investigate anytime there is evidence of someone attempting to undermine basic safety."

The public is reminded that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Assistant Attorney General Peter Ravoori is prosecuting the case for Raoul's Criminal Prosecutions and Trials Assistance Bureau.