A Chicago police officer is dead—shot by friendly fire. It’s an outcome that should horrify us, but not surprise us. Because when you examine the standards we use to qualify those entrusted with deadly force, what’s surprising is that tragedies like this don’t happen more often.
Let’s stop pretending we don’t see the problem. The truth is clear: our current firearms training protocols are outdated, underwhelming, and criminally insufficient.
Chicago PD’s “Standard”: A Loose Set of Checkboxes
Chicago’s current qualification standard isn’t rigorous. It’s bureaucratic theater. Here’s what it looks like on paper:
5-yard line: Draw and fire 2 rounds, six times. Time: 6 seconds per string.
7-yard line: Four stages of 3 rounds each. Time: 7 seconds.
15-yard line: Two 3-round strings. Time: 10 seconds.
That’s 30 rounds total. A 70% hit rate—21 hits—passes. There’s no movement, no threat discrimination, no pressure, and no dynamic variables. It’s static range fire, under easy time constraints, with no consequences for mediocrity.
And yet, we keep calling this “qualification.”
The Gap Between What’s Required and What’s Needed
This isn’t a training regimen. It’s an administrative formality. The difference between this test and real-world encounters is the difference between reading a CPR manual and being thrown into a drowning rescue during a hurricane.
Now contrast that with a more realistic standard:
7 yards: Bill Drill, from the holster, 1st round into the A-zone in under 2 seconds, all 6 shots completed in the a zone under 3.25 seconds.
10 yards: From a ready position, 1 headshot on a hostage target in under 1 second.
25 yards: 50 rounds of precision shooting on B-27E targets, timed over 30 minutes, scoring 425 out of 500 (85%) to pass.
This isn’t about turning cops into special forces. It’s about requiring a functional level of precision, speed, and control. That shouldn’t be optional. It should be baseline.
What Monthly Training Should Actually Look Like
A real solution is structured, recurring training—not annual qualification theater. Monthly sessions should be standard. Each month, officers rotate through two or three live courses—low-light shooting, vehicle tactics, off-hand manipulation, force-on-force judgment drills. A rolling curriculum ensures officers revisit and improve core skills, instead of cramming for a once-a-year static test.
This model builds depth. Repetition breeds reflex. Competence becomes internalized—not memorized.
Budget Constraints Are a Convenient Excuse
Chicago’s often-cited excuse is budget limitations. But let’s take a closer look at the spending priorities:
Since 2022, over $299 million spent on shelter, staffing, and food for Illegal migrants.
Some estimates suggest $638 million total in illegal migrant-related costs over three years.
In 2023, $138 million allocated—with $59 million coming directly from local taxpayers.
Redirecting even 5% of that—roughly $15 million—would be more than enough to overhaul the firearms training system. Facility upgrades, instructor hires, expanded range time, and proper tracking of performance—entirely feasible with a fraction of what’s been spent elsewhere.
The truth? There is money. It’s just not being spent where it could save lives.
Concealed Carry Holders: The Standard Applies to You, Too
If you’re licensed to carry, these training benchmarks apply to you as well. Draw-to-shot times. Headshot drills. Cold starts. Precision under time pressure. If you carry, you should be practicing to this standard—or better.
It’s not about mimicking law enforcement. It’s about accountability and responsibility. The more civilians and officers alike who meet a competent standard, the better off everyone is—on both sides of any potential incident.
Let’s stop calling this “adequate.”
One day a year with a handgun doesn’t prepare anyone for anything.
It’s not a matter of budget. It’s a matter of priorities. And those priorities are misaligned.
Rebuilding this foundation isn’t optional—it’s overdue.