I see a few more pistoleros have taken the course.
The course I went to was given by
SAFE Gun Permits | Illinois, Utah and Florida Concealed Carry | Illinois Concealed Weapons. The course was held at a private range near Morris. The first day was concerned with weapons functioning and safety. I wasn't there because, being former military, a DD214 took care of the first day's requirement. The bulk of the second day was concerned with Illinois and Federal laws concerning concealed carry, fire arms ownership, fire arms and ammo purchase. Everyone was electronically finger printed. The receipt for the finger print cost had a number that will have to be entered on the State Police form that can be down loaded after 5, January, 2014. You will have to check the form closely because you will have to also enclose a picture of specific dimensions?? That cannot be take any earlier than 30 days before you send in your package. I asked about a time stamp......no one could answer. The last 4 hours were on the range. 2 range officers, 5 shooters shooting 10 practice rounds and 10 rounds at 5, 7 and 10 yards. Target was a large silhouette. The only thing that seemed to slow things down was the fact that there were a lot of weapons malfunctioning, poor ammo, old weapons etc. The range officers helped with the clearing process, but due to safety, it slowed the process down. You had to
bring a holster that could be worn outside the waist but had to be covered by a coat. A few inside the waist band holsters were also used. Weapons were stored in the conference room, locked out and inside cases. Don't walk in with a firearm that isn't cased. Ammo was left in the cars. Police officer was one of the lecturers and was armed, no one else.
To qualify you had to put 70% of the rounds on target. After you qualified you were given a certificate that needed to be signed. Don't send in the original, send a copy. State Police will make their form available for download on or about 5 January, 2014. Read it very
carefully, there may be added things!
Post Script...used my new plastic S&W Bodyguard .38 caliber, 5 rounds of 125grain ammo per load. Everything there from .22s to .45acp.
