Whether you're learning the basics of handgun safety, interested in learning more techniques or needing to get your concealed carry license renewed, Rend Lake College has a handgun training class for you this fall.
Beginners can step into basic reloading with Instructor Michael Dollins. This class will focus on learning how to reload ammunition for a handgun and how to utilize various equipment needed for reloading.
No live primers or gun powder will be used in this class, and no live ammunition will be created during this class. Alternatives will be used to ensure safety. Attendees must be 16 or older. The class costs $15, plus a $5 supply fee, and will meet from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday, Nov. 5 or Monday, Dec. 3 in the Historic Schoolhouse on the Ina campus.
Local, first-time hunters can take advantage of the free hunter safety course with Instructor Sam Settle of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. This class will cover topics such as wildlife management, firearms safety, hunter ethics, game identification, first aid, survival techniques and regulations.
Participation in the class is a requirement in state statute for hunters born on or after Jan. 1, 1980, when applying for a hunting license. Pre-registration is required and attendees must attend both sessions and bring a pen or pencil. The class meets from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21 and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22 at the RLC MarketPlace room 354 in Mt. Vernon.
More advanced handgun users can take advantage of advanced handgun training and low light engagement handgun training. The advanced class will cover the laws of civilian use of force, weak hand shooting, one hand shooting, one hand reloading, shooting on the move and range rules. The range portion will test marksmanship using techniques learned in the class. The class will meet with Instructor Jeff Bullard of the Mt. Vernon Police Department from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22 or Saturday, Oct. 20 in the Applied Science Center room 102 on the Ina campus. The class costs $65.
The low light engagement class will teach the basics about shooting in a low light setting, including the importance of illumination tools. The drills in the class include shooting with handheld illumination, shooting from cover with illumination, and moving with and without light. This class will meet with Bullard from 2 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6 or Saturday, Nov. 3 in the Applied Science Center room 102 on the Ina campus. The class costs $65.
Participants interested in either handgun training session will have to have passed the RLC basic handgun training course in the past, and to enroll in low light engagement, will also have to have taken the advanced handgun training course. All attendees must be 18 or older, wear old clothes and have a valid Illinois FOID card. Attendees should also bring eye and ear protection, handgun and 150 rounds of ammunition.
Local concealed carry license (CCL) holders can also take advantage of the concealed carry license renewal class, which is designed for those with CCLs set to expire in the next six months. RLC criminal justice professor Ron Meek will review the required license information and attendees will take part in the live fire portion of the class on the RLC shooting range.
Attendees should bring their Illinois FOID and CCL cards, along with their handgun and two boxes of unopened ammunition. Handguns will be inspected by the instructors and must be approved prior to use. The class costs $50 and will meet four times this fall in the Applied Science Center room 102 on the Ina campus: 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 3; noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3; 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 8; and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8.
To learn more about or to register for any of these classes, call RLC's Community and Corporate Education Division at 618-437-5321 ext. 1714.
