Four Concealed Carry classes set at RLC this fall

ReAnne Palmer – Rend Lake College Public Information

INA, IL- Four Illinois Concealed Carry classes are returning to the Rend Lake College campus this fall to accommodate every schedule. With each class meeting on different times and dates, and one set aside for women only, locals have numerous opportunities to apply for their state permit.

RLC’s two-day program has set the following dates for classes this fall: Friday, Aug. 4 – Saturday, Aug. 5; Saturday, Sept. 16 – Sunday, Sept. 17; Saturday, Nov. 11 – Sunday, Nov. 12; and Saturday, Dec. 9 – Sunday, Dec. 10.

In August, participants will meet from 4 – 10 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Saturday. In September, the class will meet at 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Saturday and 1:30 – 10 p.m. Sunday. The women-only course will meet from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday in November. The December classes are open to everyone, also from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.

All classes will meet instructors Ron Meek and Jeff Bullard in the Coal Mine Training Center, Room 107A, on the Ina campus.

During the first day, participants will prepare to get on the range with a firearms safety and marksmanship lecture, focusing on safety, the principles of marksmanship, loading and unloading, cleaning, and state and federal laws relating to firearms and force. Firearms and ammunition are not to be brought to this class.

Day two will include the live fire practice and qualification on the RLC Shooting Range, plus additional classroom discussions regarding interaction with law enforcement, recognition of risk factors and situational awareness, identification of threats, and education about range rules and procedures. Participants should bring their firearm with 100 rounds of ammunition to be inspected by course instructors.

To qualify for the Illinois permit, participants must complete 30 rounds at 5, 7, and 10 yards with at least 70 percent accuracy. A qualifying shot consists of a shot placed inside the 7 ring of a B-27 target.

Participants who complete RLC’s Concealed Carry training course are eligible to apply for Illinois and Florida Concealed Weapons licenses. A valid FOID card and a driver’s license must be brought to class. Students must attend the entire 16 hours of training, no exemptions will be given. Participants must be at least 21 years old. The cost of the training is $150 for in-state residents and $200 for out-of-state residents.

To learn more or to register, call RLC’s Community and Corporate Education Division at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1714. Pre-registration may be done in person, via phone call, or by emailing commcorped@rlc.edu.