Pistol Prep Academy offers ISP-approved concealed carry courses

[October 03, 2013]  Pistol Prep Academy will begin to provide Illinois State Police-approved concealed carry courses in addition to several other classes already offered. Big Oak Hunting Paradise, between Lincoln and Hartsburg, will host several ongoing concealed carry classes, and Pistol Prep Academy may also bring a course to a range near you. The course of instruction for concealed carry will satisfy the required standards according to Illinois State Police guidance.

The required 16-hour firearms training course will include range qualification time and will cover the following:

• Firearms safety instruction -- a minimum of two classroom hours.

• Basic principles of marksmanship instruction -- a minimum of three classroom and range hours.

• Care, cleaning, loading and unloading of a concealable firearm instruction -- a minimum of three classroom hours.

• Instruction on all applicable state and federal laws relating to the ownership, storage, carry and transportation of a firearm -- a minimum of four classroom hours.

• Weapons handling -- a minimum of four range hours.

All applicants must pass a live-fire exercise with a concealable firearm. The exercise will consist of a minimum of 30 rounds -- 10 rounds from a distance of 5 yards, 10 rounds from a distance of 7 yards, and 10 rounds from a distance of 10 yards at a B-27 silhouette target approved by the Illinois State Police.

Active, retired and honorably discharged members of the U.S. armed forces will be considered to have completed eight hours of the 16-hour training requirement. An eight-hour block of instruction will be offered for veterans only and will cover applicable state and federal laws relating to the ownership, storage, carry and transportation of a firearm as well as weapons handling.

Some ladies-only courses will also be offered periodically.

[Text from file received from Pistol Prep Academy]