Illinois is one of 40 states that prohibit concealed weapons on school campuses. That hasn’t kept teachers there from turning out in droves for firearms training, spending hours in classrooms and on shooting ranges — receiving lessons, for a change.

Across the state, businesses have begun offering free concealed-carry training sessions to teachers and school staff members, a seemingly uncoordinated response to mass shootings in schools. Many of them are banking on a proposal to allow armed faculty that’s currently making the rounds in school board meetings.

In Godfrey, Ill., Mark Maggos’s class at Trigger Talent reached capacity just two hours after he posted a notice for it. He has about 40 more people on a waiting list.

Tom Dorsch, director of On Target Range & Tactical Training Center in Crystal Lake, offered his first course on March 24 and now has free, educator-only courses planned throughout the summer. He estimates about 400 educators have signed up.