BSIS Certified Course: Exposed Firearms Permit

1. Legal and Moral Objectives

• Determine Imminent Threat: Correctly identify the legal thresholds under California law for when a security officer may—and may not—draw or discharge an exposed firearm.
• Apply De-escalation Techniques: Use situational awareness, verbal commands, and non-lethal force options to defuse volatile situations without escalating to deadly force.
• Understand Personal Liability: Fully comprehend the civil, criminal, and employers' liability associated with carrying and deploying a firearm on duty.

2. Safety and Mechanical Objectives

• Execute Universal Safety Rules: Demonstrate absolute compliance with firearms safety rules at all times, including proper muzzle discipline and safe storage practices to prevent accidental discharges.
• Manage Weapon Malfunctions: Safely and quickly identify, clear, and recover from standard firearm malfunctions (such as stovepipes, double-feeds, or squib loads) using standard clearing drills.
• Demonstrate Weapon Retention: Show an understanding of holster retention levels (Level 2 or 3) and apply physical techniques to prevent a suspect from disarming the officer.

3. Marksmanship and Tactical Performance Objectives

• Master Shooting Fundamentals: Apply correct physical shooting mechanics under time constraints, including proper stance, grip, sight alignment, sight picture, and trigger control.
• Shoot to Center Mass: Consistently place rounds within the designated target area (the 7-ring or center mass of a standard silhouette) under stress and from varying distances (typically 3, 7, and 15 yards).
• Pass State Standards: Successfully pass a comprehensive written examination with an 86% or higher and a live-fire qualification with an 80% or higher proficiency score.