Firearms-Related Training for Law Enforcement

Updated: 05/07/12

National Firearms Examiner Academy
(Course ID FRMS-PG-0002)

The National Firearms Examiner Academy provides training for apprentice/entry level firearm and toolmark examiners from Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The Academy curriculum is composed of the fundamentals of firearms and toolmark examinations and serves as a basis for the trainee, under supervision, to develop into a qualified firearm and toolmark examiner.

The application period for the 2013-2014 National Firearms Examiner Academy (NFEA) at the National Laboratory Center, Ammendale, MD is open to qualified candidates. The NFEA provides training for apprentice/entry level firearm and toolmark examiners from Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The Academy curriculum is composed of the fundamentals of firearms & toolmark examinations and serves as a basis for the trainee, under supervision, to develop into a qualified firearm and toolmark examiner. Applications must be submitted no later than July 31, 2013. The start date for training is dependent on receipt of funding and the schedule may be adjusted accordingly. It is anticipated that the class will start in October 2013.

More detailed information about this and other aspects of the program, to include an application, is available here: NFEA Program Information

All prospective students must complete the NFEA application available here and fax it to (202) 648-6065.

Prospective applicants and/or supervisors may direct any questions to a member of the NFEA staff.

Sheila Hopkins
NFEA Training Manager
202-648-6061
Sheila.Hopkins@atf.gov

Jodi Marsanopoli
NFEA Laboratory Coordinator
Firearms and Toolmark Examiner
202-648-6116
Jodi.Marsanopoli@atf.gov

Course Dates
Course From To Location

Serial Number Restoration Training
(Course ID FRMS-CS-0022)

Course Description: This is a 3 day class which supports the identification and tracing of firearms recovered in criminal investigations. It is highly advanced and technical in nature. Students receive hands-on training utilizing various methods to raise obliterated serial numbers from firearms.

Host Laboratories: Applications to host this training will be accepted from law enforcement laboratories. The host laboratory will be required to provide various chemicals, supplies, firearms, and facilities to accommodate the training. Supplies required include chemical reagents, spray bottles for water, adequate classroom and lab space including two – three operating fuming hoods, power point projector, and flip chart or blackboard. The host laboratory may invite the appropriate number of students their facility will accommodate. Please contact training coordinators listed below for host agreement.

Prerequisites for Attendance: Students must be working currently in the position of Firearms/Toolmark Examiner or Trainee in a Forensic Laboratory or provide documentation verifying that they perform restorations for their department. Students must bring lab coat and protective eyewear to class.

For training scheduled at State and Local Enforcement Laboratories: Host laboratories may invite students from their lab as well as other jurisdictions. However, all students are required to complete and submit the State and Local Training Registration Request available on this website. Students attending training at host labs must bring 10 firearms for restoration. Firearms that have been designated for destruction by student’s department may be utilized. Serial numbers will be obliterated during class practical exercises. There is no cost for the training however students are responsible for their own travel, lodging and incidental expenses.

For training scheduled at the ATF National Laboratory Center: Applications for this training will be accepted from law enforcement laboratories. The training will be held at the ATF National Laboratory Center in Ammendale, Maryland. There is no cost for the training however students are responsible for their own travel, lodging and incidental expenses. Firearms will be provided by ATF for the restoration practical exercises.

All prospective students (regardless of class location) must complete the State and Local Training Registration form available here and fax it to 202-648-6065 (NOT the general fax number listed on the registration form)

If have any questions please contact a member of the NFEA staff.

Sheila Hopkins
NFEA Training Manager
202-648-6061
Sheila.Hopkins@atf.gov

Course Dates
Course From To Location
SNR Scottsdale Police Department, Scottsdale, AZ February 26, 2013 February 28, 2013
SNR Illinois State Police, Chicago, IL March 12, 2013 March 14, 2013
SNR National Laboratory Center, Ammendale, MD July 16, 2013 July 18, 2013

Toolmark Identification and Comparison Training
(Course ID FRMS-CS-0027)

Course Description: This class supports the identification and comparison of toolmarks commonly encountered in criminal investigations. It is highly advanced and technical in nature. Students receive training in tool manufacture, common tool action and the toolmarks they produce as well as perform fracture and physical match examinations. Students will receive pre-course material approximately two weeks before the class which they are responsible for prior to arrival. Due to the amount of material covered in this course students can expect after hours reading and study assignments.

The class encompasses a full five (5) days of training, Monday through Friday. Students should schedule their travel accordingly.

Who Should Attend: Applications for this training will be accepted from law enforcement laboratories. The training will be held at the ATF National Laboratory Center in Ammendale, Maryland. There is no cost for the training however students are responsible for their own travel, lodging and incidental expenses.

Prerequisites for Attendance: Students must be currently working in the position of a qualified Firearms/Toolmark Examiner in a Forensic Laboratory within the United States. The curriculum is not designed for an examiner trainee. Students may be requested to provide documentation verifying that they perform Toolmark Examinations for their department. Each student must bring a lab coat and eye protection.

All prospective students must complete the State and Local Training Registration form available here and fax it to 202-648-6065 (NOT the general fax number listed on the registration form.).

Sheila Hopkins
NFEA Training Manager
202-648-6061
Sheila.Hopkins@atf.gov

Course Dates
Course From To Location
TMK-MD-2013 September 23, 2013 September 27, 2013 National Laboratory Center, Ammendale, MD

Project Safe Neighborhoods Enforcement Training
PSN 3-Day Program

Program Description: This three-day, intensive course on illegal firearms interdiction is a collaborative effort among the U.S. Department of Justice, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the National District Attorney’s Association, the National Crime Prevention Council and ATF. The goal of this training is to improve the level of crime gun interdiction and prosecution through a multi-disciplinary approach that emphasizes team building among the course participants: Assistant U.S. Attorneys; state and local prosecutors; state and local police officers and sheriffs; and ATF special agents. The course is based upon ATF’s Firearms Trafficking Techniques Course and incorporates elements from IACP Firearms Investigation and Interdiction Technical Assistance Program. The course focuses the resources of each partner on initiating, perfecting and prosecuting cases involving firearms traffickers and armed violent offenders. The course is specifically designed to support Project Safe Neighborhoods and is intended for maximum impact in a single city or community.

The training is actually three separate courses in one, providing a totally integrated training package from arrest to courtroom, from patrol officers to agency heads.

  • (Course ID FRMS-CS-0019) Track 1 (Executive Breakout Session) One Day approximately 20 participants - The executive breakout session is designed for agency decision makers. Past attendees have included the U.S. Attorney for the host district; senior state and local prosecutors; ATF Special Agents in Charge and Assistant Special Agents in Charge; Police Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs; and Sheriffs and Under Sheriffs. The Executive Track offers three hours of class on the first two mornings, followed by breakout sessions facilitated by the National Crime Prevention Council. In these sessions, senior law enforcement will candidly discuss their region’s crime gun problems; how to partner more effectively to combat violent crime; and problems and barriers to progress. They also will develop action plans and recommendations for implementing the Project Safe Neighborhoods strategy in their community. At the conclusion of the course they will report back to the main class on their results.

The main track is designed for line prosecutors and investigators. Assistant U.S. Attorneys, district attorneys, police, sheriff’s deputies, and ATF special agents all train together. Topics include firearms trafficking; enforcement strategies; characteristics of armed gunmen; firearms identification; firearms tracing and crime gun analysis; state and Federal firearms law; presenting cases to prosecutors; prosecution strategy; designing dynamic partnerships and getting started. Whether you are a new prosecutor or an experienced law enforcement officer, the course material is ideal for anyone who is involved in putting violent armed criminals, and the illegal gun traffickers who arm them, behind bars. All speakers are leading experts in their field and internationally recognized.

  • (Course ID FRMS-CS-0020) Track 2 (Enforcement Training Main Track) – Two days – approximately 80 participants - The main track is designed for line prosecutors and investigators. Assistant U.S. Attorneys, district attorneys, police, sheriff’s deputies, and ATF special agents all train together. Topics include firearms trafficking; enforcement strategies; characteristics of armed gunmen; firearms identification; firearms tracing and crime gun analysis; state and Federal firearms law; presenting cases to prosecutors; prosecution strategy; designing dynamic partnerships and getting started. Whether you are a new prosecutor or an experienced law enforcement officer, the course material is ideal for anyone who is involved in putting violent armed criminals, and the illegal gun traffickers who arm them, behind bars. All speakers are internationally recognized, leading experts in their field.
  • (Course ID FRMS-CS-0018) Track 3 (Street Enforcement) – One day – more than 100 participants per day - Specifically designed for uniform patrol officers, this one-day course will provide police and sheriff’s deputies with the knowledge, skills, and abilities they need to support the PSN program in their area and enhance their margin of safety on the street. This highly interactive course contains two 4-hour blocks of instruction:
    1. Characteristics of Armed Gunmen - The difference between the charges of carrying a concealed weapon and homicide is about two seconds - the time it takes to draw and shoot an illegally carried weapon. This 4-hour course, designed for state and local police officers in support of the Youth Crime Gun Interdiction Initiative (YCGII), provides officers with skills and abilities needed to recover crime guns from the street prior to their use in additional crimes of violence. The course includes detailed instruction on identifying characteristics of persons who carry concealed firearms; legal issues concerning stop and frisk; and articulating probable cause for searches. Recover more crime guns and increase your personal margin of safety while on the street.
    2. Firearms Identification and Tracing Techniques – This 4-hour course is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to accurately identify firearms based upon markings and firearm characteristics. It will teach officers everything they need to know to identify a firearm as a piece of evidence for court or provide unique identifying information so the weapon can be traced. During the course students will have the opportunity to identify numerous firearms from technically accurate line drawings to test the development of their skills. Topics covered include firearms nomenclature, Federal firearms marking requirements, caliber designations, commonly misidentified firearms, proof marks, firearms trafficking schemes, firearms trace procedures, the benefits of comprehensive crime gun tracing, and an overview of the YCGII program.
Course Dates
From To Location
TBA TBA TBA

Contact: Special Agent Tim Carroll (Project Safe Neighborhoods Training Program Manager) at (202) 648-8332.

Project Safe Neighborhoods Site Support
(Course ID 1 Day Course FRMS-CS-0016)
(Course ID 2 Day Course FRMS-CS-0017)

ATF’s Office of Training and Professional Development can work with your office, in conjunction with the ATF Field Division in your area, to custom design training that contains blocks of instruction from any of the classes listed above. Classes can be designed for law enforcement officers, prosecutors or a combination of both groups. The curriculum varies by site and is tailored to the needs of the jurisdiction requesting the training. Core materials frequently contain, but are not limited to:

  • Firearms Trafficking — Where do crime guns come from?
  • Firearms Tracing and On Line LEAD
  • Characteristics of Armed Gunmen
  • Firearms Identification and Tracing Procedures
  • Federal Firearms Laws
Course Dates
From To Location
TBA TBA TBA

Contact: Special Agent Tim Carroll (Project Safe Neighborhoods Training Program Manager) at (202) 648-8332.