Firearms.
This chapter covers what a Texas peace officer must know about firearms, along with the statute limits that shape each element, at the level of detail the TCOLE tests.
Chapter 41 study guide.
Firearms is a hands-on chapter. Nearly all of it is taught and graded on the range by your instructors, and the written TCOLE outline is short. It lists the weapon types you will learn, the fundamentals of marksmanship, and the minimum course of fire you must pass in the academy.
For the written side, memorize two things: the lists (the four weapon types and the fundamentals) and the numbers in the qualification standard (rounds, distances and the passing score). For everything else, your range instruction and your agency’s policy are the source.
Jump to an objective6
Nomenclature and safe handling
The unit goal is to learn the basic safety rules, safety procedures and use of firearms on a firing range. The outline names four kinds of firearm for which you will learn nomenclature, meaning the names of the parts, and safety precautions: the revolver, the semi-automatic pistol, the shotgun, and the rifle. For rifles it names two action types, semi-automatic and bolt action.
The outline does not write out the safety rules themselves. They are given by your firearms instructors and your academy’s range rules, and you are expected to know and follow them for each of the four weapon types.
On the exam Know the four weapon types, and that the rifle is listed in both semi-automatic and bolt action forms.
The two handgun types named in the outline are the revolver and the .
The two rifle types named in the outline are semi-automatic and .
The fundamentals of marksmanship
You will demonstrate the fundamentals on the range. The outline lists them as stance, grip, sight alignment, sight picture, trigger control, follow through and breathing.
The same objective adds the conditions you will shoot under and the choices that go with them: ammunition, light conditions (daylight, low light and nighttime), flashlight and weapon shooting techniques, and cover versus concealment.
The outline gives these as a list without definitions. Learn the list in order, and learn the technique for each item from your range instructors.
On the exam Sight alignment and sight picture are listed as two separate fundamentals.
The outline’s fundamentals begin with stance and .
Two separate fundamentals deal with the sights: sight alignment and sight .
The three light conditions in the outline are daylight, low light, and .
Questions on what you just read.
- Question 1 · LO 41.1
Which list matches the firearm types named in the TCOLE outline for nomenclature and safety precautions?
- Question 2 · LO 41.2
Which of the following is NOT one of the fundamentals of marksmanship listed in the outline?
- Question 3 · LO 41.2
Along with the shooting fundamentals, objective 41.2 lists a pair of terms the recruit must be able to tell apart when choosing a position. The pair is:
The rest of Chapter 41.
- LO 41.3Back-up and off-duty weapons1 fill-in-the-blank
- LO 41.4The academy course of fire4 fill-in-the-blank
- LO 41.5TCOLE qualification requirements1 authority · 1 fill-in-the-blank
- LO 41.6Weapon maintenance2 fill-in-the-blank
A subscription opens the other 4 objectives in this chapter, with 8 more fill-in-the-blank items and 7 more practice questions, along with the study guide for every other BPOC chapter.
Unlock the full guideLast checked against the Texas statutes in September 2026. This guide is a study aid for the TCOLE licensing exam. It is not legal advice, and your academy’s instruction and your department’s policy come first.
What recruits ask about this chapter.
What should a Texas peace officer understand about nomenclature and safety precautions necessary when handling firearms?
Discuss nomenclature and safety precautions necessary when handling firearms. Includes: revolver; semi-automatic pistol; shotgun; rifle- semi-automatic and bolt action.
How does a Texas peace officer demonstrate fundamentals of marksmanship?
Demonstrate the fundamentals of marksmanship. Includes: stance; grip; sight Alignment; sight Picture; trigger Control; follow through; breathing; ammunition.
What does the TCOLE curriculum say about provide working knowledge of carrying and use of back-up and off-duty weapons?
Provide working knowledge of carrying and use of back-up and off-duty weapons. Includes: back-Up (on duty) Weapons; off-Duty Weapons.
How does a Texas peace officer demonstrate proficiency in the use of firearms at the following distances?
Demonstrate proficiency in the use of firearms at the following distances.
Drill this chapter with practice questions written from the BPOC curriculum.
You get a curated practice question bank for every BPOC chapter, a daily drill that weights toward the topics you keep missing, and a predicted TCOLE score that moves with your answers.
Get full access →Preparing for the state exam? Read the TCOLE exam guide for the format, passing score, and retake rules, or take a free TCOLE practice test to see where you stand.