(a) In this section, “first responder” has the meaning assigned by § 46.01, Penal Code.
(b) The director by rule shall establish minimum standards for an initial training course that a first responder who is a license holder and who is employed or supervised by a county or municipality to which Chapter 179, Local Government Code, applies may complete to receive a certification of completion from the department under this section. The training course must:
(1) be administered by a qualified handgun instructor;
(2) include not more than 40 hours of instruction;
(3) provide classroom training in:
(A) self-defense;
(B) de-escalation techniques;
(C) tactical thinking relating to cover for and concealment of the license holder;
(D) methods to conceal a handgun and methods to ensure the secure carrying of a concealed handgun;
(E) the use of restraint holsters and methods to ensure the secure carrying of an openly carried handgun; and
(F) consequences of improper use of a handgun;
(4) provide field instruction in the use of handguns, including:
(A) instinctive or reactive shooting;
(B) tactical shooting;
(C) shooting while moving; and
(D) shooting in low light conditions;
(5) require physical demonstrations of proficiency in techniques learned in training; and
(6) provide procedures for securing and storing a handgun if the first responder, while on duty, is required to enter a location where carrying the handgun is prohibited by federal law or otherwise.

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Terms Used In Texas Government Code 411.1883


(c) The department by rule shall establish minimum standards for an annual continuing education course that is administered by a qualified handgun instructor and includes not more than 10 hours of instruction for a person who has completed the initial training course described by Subsection (b).
(d) The department shall issue a certificate of completion to a first responder who is a license holder and who completes the initial training course under Subsection (b) or the continuing education course under Subsection (c), as applicable. A certificate of completion expires on the first anniversary of issuance.
(e) A first responder is responsible for paying to the course provider the costs of a training course under this section.
(f) The director by rule shall approve devices to enable a first responder to secure and store a handgun if the first responder, while on duty, is required to enter a location where carrying the handgun is prohibited by federal law or otherwise.