Unit #2: Licensing Courses

Heritage's Maryland Handgun Qualification Course utilizes classroom training, simulation labs, and live fire exercises to provide you with intensive training in a dynamic environment. The first two hours of this four-hour course consist of Heritage's Basic Handgun Course. The basic handgun portion is followed by two-hours of training focused on Maryland Firearm Law. In this course, you will receive hands-on-training with a Glock 17 beginning with a blue gun to practice fundamentals such as shooting grip and aiming. In Heritage's Simulation Lab, your mind will be put at ease as you experience the recoil of a 9mm handgun with our Co2 retrofitted Glock 17s. Heritage instructors collaborate with you to refine trigger control, shooting position, and other fundamentals with Glock 17 SIRT Pistols. Only after you are comfortable with the recoil and operation of the firearm, will we move on to the range for a fifteen round live fire exercise. Instructors and Range Safety Officers actively ensure safe firearm handling as well as help you refine shooting fundamentals. Following the live fire exercise, you will return to the classroom for the 2-hour Maryland Law portion of the course. Maryland Certified Instructors clarify Maryland Law pertaining to the transportation of firearms, use of force, regulated firearms, and firearm purchasing. This two hour class combined with the two hour basic handgun course meets the four hour mandated MD HQL training requirement. The mandate requires that a Maryland Resident obtain a HQL license before he/she may purchase, rent or receive a regulated firearm after October 1, 2013(unless otherwise exempt). This course is designed to provide relevant training mandated by the Maryland General Assembly. Does not include fingerprint fee ($52.75) and MSP application fee ($50) for license. **Must be at least 21 years of age to participate in this course. For questions or concerns regarding HQL eligibility(including felony conviction, medical marijuana card, etc) please contact the Maryland State Police Licensing Division at 410-653-4500 before the day of the course. 

This 8-hour course is the first of two modules needed to satisfy Maryland's Wear & Carry's 16-hour training requirement. Wear & Carry Day 1 provides students with situational awareness skills, conflict avoidance, and why seconds count in a situation. Throughout the training, you will have the unique opportunity to handle a variety of firearms to ensure you have the best tools for your self-defense plan. You will learn how to master the correct ‘building blocks’ and shooting fundamentals in order to turn correct and consistent practice into ‘muscle memory’. In the classroom, we will spend some time perfecting your grip, stance, trigger control and teach you how to ‘defensively’ draw from the holster. Your instructor will thoroughly explain Maryland firearm laws, transportation, and use of force.

Day 1 Module Objectives:

• Participants will learn how to use situational awareness to maintain safety.
• Participants will understand how using the ‘Color Codes of Awareness’ giving them the advantage in ‘conflict avoidance’.
• Participants will find out if action is faster than reaction and why ‘seconds’ count.
• Participants will acquire the knowledge required to choose a self-defense firearm for his or her defensive needs.
• Each participant will understand the "Fight or Flight" response and physiological reactions associated with extreme stress.
• Each participant will understand the proper response to an identified threat
• All participants will understand when the right to deadly force ends.
• At the conclusion of the class, each participant will have the knowledge and skills to communicate effectively with law enforcement in the aftermath of a situation. 
• At the conclusion of the class, participants will have improved skill and confidence in the use of a defensive pistol.
• At the conclusion of the class, each participant will know how to make a home security and defense plan.
• At the conclusion of the class, each participant will understand the different types of personal defense ammunition and their characteristics including caliber, knockdown power, and stopping power.

• Heritage will provide the training materials for the Day 1 Module.
• Day 1 Module is 8 hours of classroom training. A 1-hour lunch break will be provided. A refrigerator and microwave are on site for your use. 

This 8-hour course is the second of two modules needed to satisfy Maryland's Wear & Carry's 16-hour training requirement. Wear & Carry Day 2 provides you with a framework so that you are better prepared to face a defensive situation mentally, legally, and financially. Each student will learn about different types of flashlights, holsters, gun attachment lights, and their purpose in different situations. Students will learn how to properly perform dry fire drills, low light techniques, and shooting from behind cover. The course will conclude with a final proficiency test. This proficiency course was developed by the Maryland State Police in order to qualify for a Wear & Carry Permit. Each student will demonstrate gun safety and proficiency with a minimum passing score of 70%. 

Day 2 Module Objectives:

• Students will learn how hone defensive skills with an understanding of new Range Drills.
•  Participants will learn what ‘defensive’ shooting is and how to do it.
• Participants will improve their grip, stance and trigger control.
• Participants will learn and practice the difference between point shooting and sighted fire.
• Participants will learn and practice how to use a ‘flash sight picture’.
• Participants will learn and apply the steps of a defensive holster draw.
• Students will gain knowledge of Dry fire drills for home use. 
• Students will learn techniques for low light shooting and experience low light shooting on the range.
• Students will learn the importance of barrier shooting and the difference between cover and concealment.
• Students will learn techniques for one-handed shooting and put this new skill to test on the range.
• Finally, Students will shoot a culmination proficiency under the guidance of a USCCA instructor.

Important Notes

• Each student must bring his or her own firearm, flashlight, OWB holster, and 150 rounds of ammunition.
• Day 2 Module is 8 hours of active training. A 1-hour lunch break will be provided. A refrigerator and microwave are on site for your use. 
• All students must wear range appropriate clothing which includes closed-toe shoes and a sturdy belt. 
  

This course is the Maryland mandated 8-hour training required to renew the Wear & Carry Permit. This training takes place in the classroom and on the range. Maryland Certified Instructors will review Maryland Law, transportation of firearms, use of force and holster draw. The course will then move to range to practice basic and advanced skills including low light and barricade shooting. The course will end in the shooting of Maryland's Wear & Carry Proficiency Course.   

Renewal Module Objectives:

• Participants will learn and apply the steps of a defensive holster draw.
• Students will learn Maryland Law on transportation of firearms and use of force. 
• Students will gain knowledge of dry fire drills for home use.
• Students will learn techniques for low light shooting and experience low light shooting on the range
• Students will learn the importance of barrier shooting and the difference between cover and concealment.
• Students will learn techniques for one-handed shooting and put his new skill to the test on the range. 
• Finally, students will shoot a culmination proficiency under the guidance of a Maryland Certified Instructor. 

Prerequisite:   Must have a valid Wear & Carry Permit

Each student must bring his or her own firearm, flashlight, OWB holster, and 150 rounds of ammunition.

Wear & Carry Renewal is 8 hours of active training. A 1-hour lunch break will be provided. A refrigerator and microwave are on site for your use. 

All students must wear range appropriate clothing which includes closed-toe shoes and a sturdy belt.