Cal. Code Regs. tit. 16 § 635

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 44, November 1, 2024

Section 635 - Course of Firearm Training

(a) Each applicant for an initial firearms permit shall complete classroom training related to the use of firearms, as outlined below, and complete and successfully pass an examination. Classroom training shall be conducted through traditional classroom instruction by a Bureau-approved Firearms Training Instructor at a Bureau-approved Firearms Training Facility. The following outline includes the minimum subjects which shall be taught and the minimum length of time which shall be devoted to each subject. Classroom training shall be completed before range training and before any attempt at range qualification.

FIREARMS TRAINING OUTLINE

Recommended Instruction Sequence

Subject and Objective						Length of Time
I. Registration (Classroom)
A.		Administration.
		Objective: to enroll individual in course.				1/2 Hour
		1.		Check individual identification
		2.		Check individual's Bureau registration status
		3.		Course admission and discussion
B.		Laws and regulations for issuing a firearms permit.				1/2 Hour
		Objective: to familiarize and instruct individual on the laws, regulations, other requirements, and the administrative process for issuing a firearms permit and renewals
II. Moral and Legal Aspects (Classroom)
A.		Laws regarding possession and carrying of firearms.				1/2 Hour
		Objective: to familiarize and instruct individual on the applicable laws relating to the possession and carrying of firearms while working as an armed security guard.
		1.		Penal Code sections
		2.		Government Code sections
		3.		Bureau statutes and regulations
		4.		Instructor examples
B.		Shooting incidents.				1/2 Hour
		Objective: to familiarize and instruct individual on what is likely to happen in a shooting incident and how a firearms permit holder should act to minimize the use of deadly force.
C.		Effects of firearms use.				1/2 Hour
		Objective: to familiarize and instruct individual on how and why bullets travel and what implications this has on the use of deadly force.
III. Firearms Nomenclature, Maintenance (Classroom)
A.		The revolver and semi-automatic, ammunition, parts and nomenclature.				1 Hour
		Objective: to familiarize and instruct individual on the principles and operation of weapons, the differences between weapons and how to care for a weapon.
		1.		Picture of revolver and semi-automatic with parts identified
		2.		Revolver and semi-automatic, parts and description
		3.		Picture of ammunition with parts identified
		4.		Ammunition parts and description
B.		Firearms safety, general.
		Objective: to familiarize and instruct individual on how to safely fire, wear and store the weapon while on the firing range, or on duty or off duty.				1 Hour
		1.		General safety rules
		2.		Specific safety rules
		3.		Safety at home and off duty
		4.		Transporting the weapon to the range
		5.		Carrying the weapon on duty
		6.		Suggested eye and ear protective equipment.
		7.		Inspection, cleaning, and maintenance
			a.		General information
			b.		Inspection
			c.		Cleaning
			d.		Cleaning kit
			e.		To clean the weapon
			f.		Check list
IV. Appropriate Use of Force (Classroom)						3.5 Hours
A.		Legal standards for use of force
		1.		Statutes
		2.		Licensee and client contractual obligations
		3.		Civil and criminal liability
B.		Objectively reasonable force
		1.		Objectively reasonable standard
		2.		Restraint techniques and their implications
		3.		Force options
		4.		Real-life scenarios
C.		Duty to intercede
D.		Supervisory responsibilities
		1.		Incident reporting requirements pursuant to 7583.2 and 7583.4 of the Business and Professions Code.
E.		Use of force review and analysis
		1.		Real-life scenarios
F.		De-escalation and interpersonal communication, including tactical methods that use time, distance, cover, and concealment to avoid escalating situations that lead to violence
		1.		Common misconceptions and benefits of de-escalation
		2.		Four concepts of de-escalation
			a.		Self-Control
			b.		Effective Communication
			c.		Scene Assessment and Management
			d.		Force Options
		3.		Real-life scenarios
G.		Implicit and explicit bias and cultural competency as defined in section 631
		1.		Define and explain:
			a.		Implicit bias
			b.		Explicit bias
			c.		Cultural competency
		2.		Strategies for effective communication within a diverse community
		3.		Real-life scenarios
H.		Skills, including de-escalation techniques, to effectively, safely, and respectfully interact with people with disabilities or behavioral health issues.
		1.		Strategies for identifying and effectively communicating and de-escalating a situation with an individual with a disability or behavioral health issues
		2.		Real-life scenarios
I.		Use of force scenarios, including simulations of low-frequency, high-risk situations and calls for service, shoot-or-don't-shoot situations, and real time force option decision making
		1.		Factors that can affect an individual's response when threatened with danger
		2.		Factors to consider before using force
		3.		Real-life scenarios
J.		Mental health and policing of the public, including bias and stigma
		1.		Categories of mental illness as defined in section 631
		2.		Biases and stigmas surrounding mental illness
		3.		Real-life scenarios
K.		Active shooter situations
		1.		Recognizing an active shooter situation
		2.		Roles and responsibilities of a private security professional
		3.		Real-life scenarios
V. Examination						As needed to achieve a passing score

(b) In addition to completing and successfully passing an examination related to the use of firearms, each applicant for an initial firearms permit shall complete range training as outlined below. Range training shall be conducted by a Bureau-approved Firearms Training Instructor at a Bureau-approved Firearms Training Facility or shooting range.

Range Training Outline

VI. Weapon Handling and Shooting Fundamentals				1 Hour
	Objective: to familiarize and instruct individual on the fundamentals of marksmanship and the handling of weapons.
A.		Weapon fundamentals, general differences between handguns
B.		Loading/Unloading
		1.	Proper loading procedures
		2.	Proper loading procedures (right handed)
		3.	Proper unloading procedures (right handed)
		4.	Proper loading procedures (left handed)
		5.	Proper unloading procedures (left handed)
		6.	Loading devices
C.		Proper positions
		1.	Point shoulder position
		2.	Standing, barricade or supported position
		3.	Kneeling position
		4.	Sitting position
		5.	Prone position
		6.	Cover and concealment
		7.	Bouncing bullets
D.		Grip
		1.	Two-handed grip
E.		The draw
		1.	General information
		2.	The holster and the draw
F.		Shooting Fundamentals
		1.	Sight alignment
		2.	Trigger squeeze (control)
		a.	Single action
		b.	Double action
		c.	Count your shots
		d.	Anticipation
		e.	Dry firing
		3.	Establishing the Dominant Eye
VII. Range Preparation				1 Hour
	Objective: individual will review range safety and the fundamentals of marksmanship and deployment of weapons. In addition, the individual will review requirements for the use of deadly force.
A.		Range location
B.		Equipment needed
C.		Course of fire (explanation)
D.		Targets, scoring explanation
E.		Range commands (explanation)
F.		Use of deadly force
VIII. Range Training.				As needed
	Objective: to instruct individual in the safe and accurate use of a firearm until such time as the individual demonstrates to the instructor that they can safely draw and fire the weapon and has a high likelihood of passing the qualification course.
A.		Instructions
B.		Drawing and holstering practice
C.		Dry firing
D.		Loading and reloading procedures

(c) After completing both classroom-based firearms training and range training, each applicant for an initial firearms permit shall complete range qualification. The applicant's initial range qualification shall only be completed by firing live ammunition and shall not be completed with a firearm simulator. The applicant must complete each range qualification with the same caliber of weapon that will be listed on the firearms permit and carried by the permit holder while on duty. If the applicant seeks to qualify for more than one caliber of weapon, the applicant must complete a range qualification for each additional caliber to be listed on the firearms permit. The following is a list of allowable calibers:

* .357

* .38

* .45

* 9 mm

* 10 mm

* .40

* .380

Each Range qualification shall be conducted by a Bureau-approved Firearms Training Instructor at a Bureau-approved Firearms Training Facility as specified below:

Range Qualification:

Objective:

Applicant shall pass a range qualification based on their demonstrated use of weapon.

A. Stance: Permit holders shall use one of the following stances during their course of fire training:

Stance		Characteristics
Isosceles	*	The shooter is facing the target.
	*	Shoulders are squared and both arms are forward and straight.
	*	Shoulders and arms form an isosceles triangle.
Weaver	*	The shooter stands in a position of interview at a 45 degree angle to the silhouette target with the support hand forward, wedged toward the target.
	*	The shooting arm elbow is slightly bent.
Modified Weaver	*	The shooter stands in a position of interview at a 45 degree angle to the silhouette target with the support hand forward, wedged toward the target.
	*	Primary arm is locked at the elbow.
One-hand	*	The shooter holds the handgun with one hand.

B. An applicant may request and if requested, shall be permitted to participate in a practice course prior to the range qualification. A practice round may also be required at the discretion of the instructor. If a practice course is conducted, the number of rounds discharged in a practice course shall be determined by the instructor and applicant. After completing a practice course, if applicable, each individual shall discharge 50 rounds for scoring purposes, using one silhouette target as specified in section 635.1, and according to one of the applicable schedules below:

(1) Revolver Course of Fire (for applicants using a revolver to qualify for their permit)

Course of Fire (Revolver)

Stage 1	15 yards	6 rounds in 30 seconds
		*6 standing position
Stage 2	7 yards	14 rounds in 45 seconds (includes 2 reloads)
		(load 6, reload 6 and reload 2)
Stage 3	7 yards	6 rounds in 10 seconds (any position)
Stage 4	7 yards	12 rounds in 25 seconds (includes reload)
		(load 6 and reload 6)
		*6 rounds with dominant hand, 6 rounds with non-dominant hand
Stage 5	5 yards	6 rounds
		*3 rounds in 4 seconds (2 stages)
Stage 6	3 yards	6 rounds
		*2 rounds in 3 seconds (3 stages)

(2) Semi-Automatic Handgun Course of Fire (for applicants using a semi-automatic handgun to qualify for their permit)

Course of Fire (Semi-automatic)

Stage 1	15 yards	5 rounds in 30 seconds
Stage 2	10 yards	20 rounds in 30 seconds (includes one reload)
Stage 3	7 yards	10 rounds in 20 seconds
		*5 rounds with dominant hand
		*5 rounds with non-dominant hand
Stage 4	5 yards	10 rounds in 30 seconds
Stage 5	3 yards	5 rounds in 8 seconds

C. Scoring. For the purposes of this section, the following scoring requirements shall be met:

1. Silhouette targets shall be used. A 5 point score shall be granted for each round discharged inside of the seven (7) ring (center mass) as specified in Section 635.1.

2. Each individual shall qualify with an 80% score (200 out of 250 points) on the scoring segment.

3. Each individual shall be informed whether their score passes or fails.

(d) A Bureau-approved Firearms Training Instructor conducting the range qualification must certify under penalty of perjury that an initial firearms permit applicant completed the required range qualification using live ammunition and provide a signed copy of the qualification documentation to the applicant. The Firearms Training Instructor certifying the applicant's completion of training shall issue the applicant a Certificate of Proficiency that includes all of the following:

(1) a statement that the applicant has completed the required hours of firearms training;

(2) a statement that the Firearms Training Instructor has deemed the applicant proficient in the handling and use of a firearm; and

(3) certifies that the applicant is proficient in each specified caliber of firearm in which the applicant qualified with on the firearms range.

Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 16, § 635

Note: Authority cited: Sections 7515, 7581, 7585, 7585.6 and 7591.6, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Sections 7542, 7583.7, 7583.22, 7583.23, 7583.37, 7585, 7596, 7596.3 and 7599.40, Business and Professions Code.

Note: Authority cited: Sections 7515, 7581, 7585, 7585.6 and 7591.6, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Sections 7542, 7583.22, 7583.23, 7583.37, 7596, 7596.3 and 7599.40, Business and Professions Code.

1. Change without regulatory effect renumbering former section 697 to new section 635, including amendment of Note, filed 5-21-98 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 98, No. 21). For prior history, see Register 93, No. 3.
2. Change without regulatory effect amending subsections VI.D. and VII.B. filed 4-25-2011 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2011, No. 17).
3. Change without regulatory effect amending parts II. and VII.B. filed 9-21-2015 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2015, No. 39).
4. Amendment of section heading, section and Note filed 9-12-2016; operative 1/1/2017 (Register 2016, No. 38).
5. Change without regulatory effect amending subsection (c) and amending Note filed 3-18-2021 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2021, No. 12).
6. Amendment of section and NOTE filed 11-30-2023; operative 11/30/2023 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2023, No. 48).