Defensive Handgun Skills for Light-Limited Environments
Master the Skills to Defend Yourself When Visibility Fails
The When the Lights Go Out course is for responsible gun owners and professionals who recognize that defensive situations don’t just happen in broad daylight. Low-light and no-light environments bring new challenges—and demand specific skills to navigate safely and make sound decisions when it matters most.
Why This Course?
Most violent encounters happen in reduced light, yet many gun owners never train beyond daylight conditions. Without proper low-light training, critical skills like threat identification, decision-making, and firearm control can break down under stress.
This course bridges that gap with practical, real-world instruction focused on integrating illumination tools into your defensive response.
Whether you’re defending your home, navigating public spaces, or moving through structures like workplaces or places of worship, this course equips you with the skills and judgment needed to maintain control in light-limited environments.
What You’ll Learn
Through a mix of live fire and low-light exercises, you’ll develop critical skills to defend yourself confidently when visibility is compromised, including:
- Understanding light conditions and their tactical implications
- Primary use of handheld lights for searching and identification
- When and how to appropriately use weapon-mounted lights
- Techniques for one-handed shooting and manipulation
- Target discrimination and accountability in the dark
- Light discipline and control under stress
- Decision-making and movement in low-light scenarios
- Additional defensive applications for handheld lights
Who Is This For?
This course is designed for individuals who have already completed basic or defensive handgun training and want to build real-world low-light competency. Ideal for concealed carriers, home defenders, security professionals, law enforcement, and anyone serious about being prepared for encounters after dark.
Course Details
- Duration: 1 Day
- Round Count: 400 rounds
- Prerequisites: Prior formal handgun training that includes working from the holster.
- Required Gear: A quality defensive handgun, holster, handheld flashlight (required), weapon-mounted light (optional), at least 3 magazines, eye and ear protection, and spare batteries.A complete gear list will be provided upon registration.
Instructor
Barret Kendrick is the founder and lead instructor of Bearco Training, which has provided realistic and practical defensive training since 2009. With over 15 years of professional teaching experience and advanced certifications in use-of-force, human performance, and active threat response, Barret focuses on delivering research-supported, real-world skills to responsible gun owners and professionals.
Are You Ready?
When the lights go out, your ability to control the situation—and make the right decisions—becomes even more critical. Prepare yourself to defend with skill, clarity, and confidence when it matters most.