By ReAnne Palmer 

INA, IL – Whether you’re interested in becoming concealed carry or hunting certified, or want to brush up on your handgun skills, Rend Lake College has five different trainings set for the Spring 2018 semester. Each different class offers participants new and exciting practices by trained instructors.

Classes for Illinois Concealed Carry licensure, handgun training, hunter safety and licensure, basic reloading, and Active Shooter training are set through May to accommodate all individuals and schedules.

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

Concealed Carry

Four Illinois Concealed Carry classes are returning to the RLC campus by popular demand. Locals have numerous opportunities to apply for their state permit by completing the two-day program, set for the following dates: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20 and Sunday, Jan. 21; 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10 and Sunday, Feb. 11; women only from 4 – 10 p.m. Friday, March 16 and 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 17; and 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Saturday, May 19 and Sunday, May 20.

All classes will meet instructors Ron Meek, RLC Criminal Justice Associate Professor, and Jeff Bullard, Detective Captain of the Mt. Vernon Police Department, in the Applied Science Center, Room 102, on the Ina campus.

Participants take aim on the RLC Shooting Range during the live fire qualification portion of the Concealed Carry training course.
(RLC Public Information)

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 $250 for out-of-state residents.

Handgun Training

Build on your handgun skills with three trainings this spring. Participants are invited to learn new techniques in Basic, Advanced, and Low-Light Engagement handgun training classes with instructor Bullard.

Understand the types of handguns, ammunition, and laws pertaining to civilian use of force during Basic Handgun Training. Bullard will cover proper stance, gripping, loading, unloading, clearing malfunctions, and firing a handgun before participants practice those techniques at the RLC Range. The class costs $65 and meets from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, March 31 or Saturday, April 28, all in the Applied Science Center, Room 102, on the Ina campus.

After completing the Basic class, enroll in Advanced Handgun Training to improve upon and learn new skills. The classroom portion of this class includes in-depth looks at the laws of civilian use of force, weak-hand shooting, one-hand shooting, one-hand reloading, shooting on the move, and range rules. On the RLC Range, participants will be tested on their marksmanship using techniques in the class. The class costs $65 and meets from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, April 21 in the Applied Science Center, Room 102, on the Ina campus.

After mastering the Advanced class, register for Low Light Engagement Handgun Training to learn how to shoot in a low-light setting. Spring dates will be set upon request.

Participants can also register for the range-only portion of a class, if they have successfully passed the class previously. Range portions are as follows: noon – 4 p.m. for Basic Handgun ($35), 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. for Advanced Handgun ($40), and 6 – 10 p.m. for Low Light Engagement ($35).

Participants should wear old clothes suitable for multiple shooting positions, and bring eye and ear protection, their own handgun, ammunition (150 rounds), and a valid FOID card. Extra magazines and speed loaders for reloading and malfunction drills are also suggested.

Hunter Safety

Participation in Hunter Safety is a requirement in State statute for hunters born on or after January 1, 1980, when applying for a hunting license. This course, taught by Sam Settle of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, includes topics in wildlife management, firearms safety, hunter ethics, game identification, first aid, survival techniques, and state regulations.

The training is free of charge; however, pre-registration is required due to limited space. Must attend both sessions and bring a pen or pencil. The class meets 6 – 9 p.m. Friday, March 9 and 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, March 10, both at the RLC MarketPlace, Room 354A, Mt. Vernon.

Basic Reloading 101

Basic Reloading 101 is a beginner class that will focus on learning how to reload ammunition for a handgun. During this class, instructor Michael Dollins will teach participants how to utilize the various equipment needed for reloading, plus he will provide step-by-step instruction about the reloading process.

The class costs $15, plus a $5 supply fee to the instructor. The training meets from 6 – 9 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 8; Monday, Feb. 12; Monday, March 5; Monday, April 9; or Monday, May 14 – all in the Historic Schoolhouse on the Ina campus. No live primers or gun powder, or live ammunition will be used in this class. Alternatives will be used to ensure safety. Participants must be at least 16 years old.

Active Shooter Training

Ron Meek, RIGHT, RLC Criminal Justice Associate Professor, addresses educators between scenario-based sessions during an Active Shooter Training last year. After each scenario, the group discussed positive and negative outcomes with Meek and Jeff Bullard, LEFT, Detective Captain of the Mt. Vernon Police Department.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)

Local educators and businesspeople are encouraged to prepare and learn how to react during an active shooter scenario with RLC’s new Active Shooter Training program. Designed specifically for school and business professionals, the trainings will be offered to those interested in learning how to proactively handle an attack or intruder.

RLC has ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) certified instructors who will teach three sections of Active Shooter Training classes at 8-hour, 4-hour, or 2-hour time spans. The trainings can take place on campus, or be scheduled off-campus at schools or businesses to focus on specific building layouts.