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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.
FIND ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR COURSES.::
"For I will go before thee and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of brass and will cut in sunder the bars of iron."
- Isaiah 45:2
- Isaiah 45:2
View detailed course descriptions here.
Q. What is a foid card?
A. The FOID card was created in 1968, by the FOID Act, as a way to identify those persons eligible to possess and acquire firearms and firearm ammunition as part of a public safety initiative in the State of Illinois. The FOID card is NOT a "conceal and carry" card.
Q. Who needs a foid card?
A. Unless specifically exempted by statute, any Illinois resident who acquires or possesses firearm or firearm ammunition within the State must have in their possession a valid Firearm Owner's Identification (FOID) card issued in his or her name. Nonresidents are not required to have a FOID card. New Illinois residents have sixty calendar days after obtaining an Illinois driver’s license or Illinois Identification Card to obtain a FOID card.
Q. Do I need a FOID card to attend your courses?
A. You do not need a FOID card for any NRA BASIC course, (I.E. Basic Pistol) as we will provide all of the firearms and ammunition.
Q: How do I get an Illinois Firearms Identification Card (FOID)?
A. You can fill in and print out a copy of the application online on the Illinois State Police Website, and mail it along with a check or money order for $10.00 and a passport photo to the ISP.
Q. Do I need a handgun or ammunition to take an NRA basic pistol course?
A. No, NRA instructors are REQUIRED to provide firearms and ammunition for any basic course they conduct. Instructors violating this rule or directly advertising that students need to “bring their own firearms and ammo” to a basic course should be avoided and reported to the NRA’s training and education division. If you have a firearm, you can bring it, but you CANNOT be required to do so.
Q. Will we only shoot .22 rimfire in the basic courses?
A. We do not believe there is any tangible benefit to restricting students to .22 for a Basic course. Students seeking out basic pistol and rifle are assumed to have never handled a firearm before we will place one in their hands. As they will likely leave our courses and seek to purchase their own firearms We feel it would do them a grave disservice to not experience a broad range of calibers. 9mm, 38 spl, .380, .40, and .45 will always be available at NO extra cost, (as well as firearms you can use them in!!) and we will encourage you to shoot any caliber you may be interested in for your first firearm. Will we restrict you to .22 just because it is cheaper???…..no, we actually take pride in what we teach.
Q. Are there any prerequisites for the NRA Personal Protection Courses?
A. To Take NRA Personal Protection Outside the Home, you must have taken Personal Protection IN the home as it is a course that builds on concepts you learn in the first course. Personal Protection IN the home requires NRA Basic pistol or an equivalent skill level… the decision in what constitutes that skill level lies at the instructors’ discretion.
Q. Are there prerequisites for the Black Flag Defensive courses?
A. The defensive courses are designed to be utilized by shooters who have developed enough comfort with their firearm to be able to manipulate the controls, reload, and clear general malfunctions in their firearm without more than a casual glance at the tool itself. You should be fairly competent in terms of accuracy, vigilant when it comes to safety, and prepared to take your skills to a new level.
Q. What about IL CCW????
A. See the IL CCW FAQ page!!
Black Flag Firearms Training offers courses for law enforcement, families and beginners year round. See our calendar or email us for more info on classes, locations, and instructors. Find out more.
