Firearm safety instructor course sponsored by Marshall Police Department

A participant fires a shot during a recent firearm instructor training course held in Marshall. (David Roscher/Special to The Marshall Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge]

It was one of a number of training courses that bring law enforcement officers from around the state for additional training.

The training was attended by 18 individuals from the throughout Missouri.

Officers attended from Aurora, Braymer, California, Dexter, Farber, Foley, Knob Noster, Lamonte, Marionville, Marshall, Stover, and Sweet Springs Police Departments, and Saline County Sheriff's Department attended as well as civilian attendees from Troy and Sedalia.

This was the eighth firearms safety instructor course taught by the Marshall Police Department since 2004.

Simmerman has announced that he is setting up a training office at Saline County Justice Center to continue his work as a criminal justice consultant and trainer.

Marshall has become a center for law enforcement training programs, according to Simmerman. A map showing the counties that have sent law enforcement officers to training courses in Marshall covers most of the state.

With the opening of the Saline County Criminal Justice Training Center at the Saline County Sheriff's Department, the next Firearms Safety Instructor class is scheduled to be held there on June 10.

Anyone interested in this course may contact Jim Simmerman at 886-7984 or by e-mail to jsimmerm@leo.gov for more information.

The shaded areas mark counties that have sent law enforcement officers to Marshall for training programs similar to the firearm safety instructor course recently taught by former Police Chief Jim Simmerman and Sgt. David Roscher. (Contributed map) [Click to enlarge]

The course objectives were to teach the attendees to be able to instruct: handgun safety in the classroom, at home, on the firing range, and while carrying the firearm.

Also, how to safely load and unload a revolver and semi-automatic pistol and demonstrate marksmanship with both; the basic principles of marksmanship.

Topics also included care and cleaning of concealable firearms; safe storage of firearms at home.

The requirements in Missouri for obtaining a certificate of qualification for a concealed carry endorsement from the sheriff of the individual's county of residence and a concealed carry endorsement issued by the Department of Revenue are covered.

The course also covers laws relating to firearms, the laws relating to the justifiable use of force, a live firing exercise, and live fire test, according to Simmerman.