ILETSB 40 Hour Mandatory Firearms Training

Registration Deadline: March 1, 2025 

Course objectives

This course of instruction is designed to acquaint participants with the potential physical, mental, legal, and ethical hazards associated with the use/misuse of firearms, to introduce the overall firearms training requirements of the basic course, and to develop thorough basic instruction and supervised practical range exercises that test the individual’s ability to use firearms effectively.
Instruction will emphasize safe practice and caring for and using firearms on and off duty. These instructions should be clearly illustrated. Instruction will also include proper techniques for handling, loading, and unloading firearms, emphasizing that safety comes through learning and practice. Discussion will include appropriate equipment to be utilized which will better assure safety, such as proper holsters, the built-in safety of various types of firearms, and safety securing devices which can be used to assure firearm safety while it is being carried, when it is being handled, or when it is being stored. 

Law-enforcement agencies and student officers must be made aware of the fact that this is a minimum standard basic firearms course only and should not be considered all the firearms training necessary for the officer to become and remain competent in firearms. It is required that all officers re-qualify once a year.

All officers must successfully complete the 40-Hour Mandatory Firearms Training Course required by Public Act 84-487 prior to carrying a firearm in the performance of their official duties. The firearms training requirement is incorporated as an integral part of the basic law enforcement and basic correctional officer courses.

Only Academies and Mobile Team Units, approved by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB) to conduct the Mandatory Firearms Training Course, will be authorized to issue the Training Board Certificate of completion. These training agencies in compliance with ILETSB rules will schedule courses, register students, conduct training, and report student grades and other required information on Form D-1 no later than ten days from the last day of training for each course conducted. Each Mandatory Firearms Training Course will have a Course Director and a Range Master. The Course Director will have the overall course responsibility of administration, supervision, and organization. The Range Master will be in charge of all instruction on the actual firing line and will be responsible to ensure that the range to be used is safe for all phases of the required practice and qualification firing

Instructional Goal:
This unit of instruction is provided for administering the written State Mandatory Firearms Examination as required by P.A.84-487 Mandatory Firearms Training Act. Each participant will be required to obtain a minimum 80% score. 

Should the participant fail to meet the minimum qualification score of 80%, a procedure is set out under Policies and Procedures. 

Any officer trainee who fails to adhere to proper safety requirements will be dismissed from training. The personal firearm of each officer will be inspected and approved prior to the beginning of actual range firing, and in all cases must be the officer’s duty firearm or its equivalent. The Range Master will also have full authority as to whether a particular firearm is a “suitable type of firearm” for duty use.

Equipment Needed: 
•    Eye/Ear Protection 
•    Duty Belt
•    Vest
•    Casual Dress (unless specified differently by policy of your agency) 
•    Handgun Ammunition – 700 rounds 
•    Flashlight 
•    3 magazines 
 

Attendance: 
This is a state certified course. Thus, no more than 10% of class time may be missed. It is strongly suggested however, that the student be in attendance for the entire session in order to maximize the knowledge and skill development associated with training. Should a temporary absence from class be necessary, it remains the responsibility of the student to contact the instructor and arrange to obtain any information or materials missed due to the absence.

Summary and Evaluation: 
Students will be provided with a QR code and be required to complete the critique which includes the rating of the course, course material and instructor(s). 

THIS IS NOT A PUBLIC MEETING