Firearms Training
From ultra-fast Sim-X ammo to the latest ballistic helmet and virtual training tools, discover how these innovations are reshaping law enforcement
SHOT Show 2025 may be over but you can still get your hands on some of our favorite firearms range bags, training accessories, weapon lights, holsters and tools
Police officers know that a person will never get good at any physical skill without the right training, and that includes the operation of a firearm
A human factors scientist discusses device design, holster placement and training considerations
If your accuracy beyond the 15-yard line is not where it needs to be, spend some time getting those skills up to a higher standard
Instructors who claim accurate shots at 25 yards or more is too high of a standard for their officers are leaving their students with the curse of low expectations
Researchers recommend agencies examine the adoption of pistols with lower trigger pull weights to mitigate grip strength-related shooting issues
Adapt these competitive shooter techniques to improve your skills
There’s a slew of good low-round count drills available to improve our skills
The 20-hour course will cover tactical emergency medical techniques, de-escalation and firearms training
Choose a training platform that addresses the need to develop split-second decision-making skills amid rapidly changing variables
It has become much more common to come across recruits with very small hands who have trouble with duty-size handguns. What’s the answer?
Hearne has done an amazing amount of research into the brain and how it works under stress
LEO leadership and a close collaboration with police led to one of the most accurate duty guns on the market
A crisp trigger, reduced recoil and smooth action make range practice a pleasure with this firearm
Most officers have trained exclusively with full-size duty guns, but BUGs are a whole new animal
The scenarios, which are based on real-life situations, range from an actual use-of-force situation to a de-escalation using verbal communication
A 22LR firearm is the best investment a person can make
How does an LEO armed only with a handgun win in combat against an assailant using a rifle or shotgun, or against multiple lethal assailants?
Officers who use simulation training programs are more confident, use less force
Reality-based scenarios can help improve communication techniques to reduce use of force in calls involving people in emotional distress
The cop-crafted scenarios and varied outcomes offered by VirTra help officers practice making decisions in real time to develop more effective de-escalation tactics
How does an officer draw and fire their pistol when it is clear they intended to draw and discharge their TASER?
It’s incumbent upon officers to overcome a resistant suspect quickly to minimize the risk of injury to everyone
There are real dangers when we fail to regularly evaluate our training programs
The premise behind my recent article is simple: trade out unnecessary, excessive firearms qualifications for more quality range training
Qualification is a physical skills test and not an assessment of an LEO’s judgment, understanding of policy or propensity to comply with deadly force law
If an agency has a serious mishap in a live-fire shoot house environment, it will likely set their shoot house training program back several years
It’s time to get officers back on the range to dust off their marksmanship and weapon-handling skills
Though relatively rare, hostage situations are a reality of policing, and the life you’re asked to save may be that of a child
More qualifications mean more opportunities for failure
