Course Description
The majority of law enforcement shootings occur under conditions of reduced illumination, significantly increasing the difficulty of threat identification, decision-making, and technical firearms performance. Operating effectively in low-light and no-light environments is therefore a critical skill for every armed professional.
Case law and established training standards impose a clear duty on agencies to provide adequate instruction in these conditions. Failure to do so elevates risk to individual officers and increases exposure to civil and criminal liability.
The 4-hour SureFire Introduction to Low-Light Training Course is designed to be taught immediately following the SureFire Master Coach Course. It equips firearms instructors with the foundational knowledge, safety protocols, and practical skills required to safely, effectively, and efficiently conduct live-fire handgun training in reduced-light environments.
The course emphasizes the integration of modern tactical illumination tools with duty handguns and introduces street-proven tactical principles relevant to routine and high-risk law enforcement contexts. Instruction focuses on illumination tools, techniques, and training methods appropriate for real-world application.
Subjects Covered
- Legal standards and case law governing low-light and no-light law enforcement firearms training
- Types, categories, and operational roles of modern tactical illumination tools
- Technical fundamentals of illumination systems, including power sources, beam characteristics, and switch configurations
- Combat marksmanship and gun-handling techniques using hand-held illumination tools with a handgun
- Tactical fundamentals for operational illumination use in common law enforcement scenarios
- Safe and efficient transitions between hand-held and weapon-mounted illumination systems
- Range safety considerations and risk-management protocols for reduced-light live-fire training
Frequently Asked Questions
Will this course improve my personal low-light shooting skills? -
While students will gain hands-on experience in reduced-light conditions, the primary purpose of this course is instructor development. The focus is on teaching methodology, safety, and course structure—not individual performance enhancement.
Does this course focus on tactics or marksmanship? -
Both are addressed through the lens of instruction. Emphasis is placed on safe gun handling, foundational marksmanship, and illumination techniques that support threat identification and sound decision-making.
Does this course cover weapon-mounted and hand-held lights? -
Yes. Students learn how to teach the use of both systems, including advantages, limitations, and safe transitions appropriate to law enforcement applications.
Does this course include live-fire training in low light or darkness? -
Yes. Live-fire exercises are conducted in reduced-light conditions with strict emphasis on safety, instructor control, and risk mitigation. The course is designed to prepare instructors to safely run low-light training programs.
Does this course cover night vision devices? -
No. This course focuses exclusively on tactical illumination tools used with duty handguns.
Required Equipment
- Service handgun with mounted light
- Minimum of three (3) magazines
- 100 rounds of training ammunition
- Duty holster and sturdy gun belt
- Magazine pouches
- Eye and ear protection
- Hat with brim
- Note-taking materials
- Clothing appropriate to weather
- Hand-held flashlight
- Spare batteries and/or charger for illumination tools
Sign Up
If you or your organization would like to sign up for this course, please see our Host Sign Up page for more information.