Md. Code Regs. 12.04.02.09

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 9, May 3, 2024

Section 12.04.02.09 - Firearms Conversion - Classroom Instruction, Training, and Qualification

A. A police officer who has successfully completed entrance-level firearms classroom instruction, training, and qualification for a specific type of firearm, who is also required or requesting to use or carry a firearm with a red dot sight or of a different type for which the police officer has qualified, shall successfully complete:

(1) Firearms conversion classroom instruction, training, and qualification requirements established under this regulation for the different firearm type; or

(2) Entrance-level classroom instruction, training, and qualification established under this chapter for the different firearm.

B. A police officer shall successfully complete firearms conversion requirements under this regulation before being authorized to use or carry a different type of firearm if the police officer is currently authorized to use or carry a:

(1) Primary handgun type and is seeking authorization to use or carry a handgun of a different type as a primary handgun;

(2) Primary handgun type and is required or requesting to add a red dot sight;

(3) Type 1 long gun, and is seeking authorization to use or carry a type 2 or 3 long gun; or

(4) Type 2 long gun, and is seeking authorization to use or carry a type 3 long gun.

C. Conversion Classroom Instruction, Training, and Qualification for Primary Handgun and Long Gun within the Same Type.

(1) Except for provisions under §C(2) of this regulation, a police officer is not required to complete firearms conversion classroom instruction, training, and qualification under this regulation before the police officer is authorized to use or carry a primary handgun or a long gun that is the same type that the police officer is currently authorized to use or carry.

(2) A police officer is required to complete firearms conversion classroom instruction, training, and qualification under this regulation before the police officer is authorized to use or carry a primary handgun or a long gun that is the same type that the police officer is currently authorized to use or carry if the police officer's agency determines:

(a) There is a difference in operation between the firearms; and

(b) Conversion classroom instruction, training, and qualification are warranted to ensure safe and effective use of the firearm.

D. Primary Handgun Conversion-Classroom Instruction, Training, and Qualification.

(1) If a police officer is required to complete conversion classroom instruction, training, and qualification according to §B or C(2) of this regulation, the police officer shall successfully complete:

(a) For a different type primary handgun, the classroom instruction topics marked with an "X" for Handgun Conversion Training-Different Type Handgun in the table under Regulation .10B of this chapter;

(b) For a handgun within the same type, the classroom instruction topics marked with an "X" for Handgun Conversion Training-Within a Handgun Type in the table under Regulation .10B of this chapter; or

(c) For adding a red dot sight, the classroom instruction topics marked with an "X" for Handgun Conversion Training-Red Dot Sight.

(2) Course of Fire.

(a) If a police officer is required to complete conversion classroom instruction, training, and qualification according to §B or C(2) of this regulation, with one finger on the trigger the police officer shall discharge a minimum of 30 rounds of ammunition for each course of fire required for conversion qualification.

(b) Ammunition used for a required course of fire for conversion qualification shall be ammunition that is:

(i) Authorized by the police officer's law enforcement agency; or

(ii) The ballistic equivalent of the ammunition authorized by the police officer's law enforcement agency.

(c) The required course of fire for conversion qualification shall be completed according to requirements 3 through 10 of the table under Regulation .05 of this chapter.

(3) The following table specifies the minimum requirements for classroom instruction, training, and qualification for primary handgun conversion:

Type of Requirement	Conversion for Red Dot Sight	Conversion for Different Handgun Type	Conversion within Handgun Type
(1) Total minimum hours of classroom instruction, training, and qualification	14 hours	14 hours	7 hours
(2) Training drill topics	(a) Reinforcement of the fundamentals of shooting; (b) Reloading techniques; (c) Clearing malfunctions; (d) Finding the dot; (e) Sight occlusion; (f) Close up techniques; and (g) Target focusing. (a)
(3) Minimum number of training rounds to be discharged at a target	400 rounds	400 rounds	200 rounds
(4) Minimum passing score for each required qualification course of fire	70 percent for each of one day-fire and one reduced light course of fire

E. Long Gun Authorization for which Conversion Training is Permitted.

(1) Before a police officer may participate in conversion classroom instruction, training, and qualification for a long gun, the police officer shall currently be authorized to use or carry a:

(a) Type 1 long gun, if conversion is for another type 1 long gun, a type 2 long gun, or a type 3 long gun;

(b) Type 2 long gun, if conversion is for another type 2 long gun or a type 3 long gun; or

(c) Type 3 long gun, if conversion is for another type 3 long gun.

(2) A police officer converting from one type of long gun to another type of long gun not listed under §E(1) of this regulation shall successfully complete entrance-level firearms classroom instruction, training, and qualification for the long gun to which the police officer is converting.

F. Long Gun Conversion - Classroom Instruction, Training, and Qualification.

(1) Long gun conversion classroom instruction shall, at a minimum, include the Classroom Instruction Topics marked with an "X" under Firearms Conversion Training-Long Gun in the table under Regulation .10B of this chapter.

(2) Long gun conversion classroom instruction, training, and qualification shall, at a minimum, meet the applicable criteria in the following table:

Requirements	Within Type 1 Long Gun	Within Type 2 Long Gun	Within Type 3 Long Gun	From Type 1 to Type 2	From Type 1 or 2 to Type 3
(1) Minimum rounds discharged	80	150	150	150	150
(2) Minimum hours for classroom instruction and training and qualification	14	14	7	14	7
(3) Number of day-fire courses of fire	1	1	1	1	1

(3) The course of fire for long gun conversion qualification shall meet the requirements specified for the type of long gun established in the table under Regulation .07A of this chapter.

G. Crediting Conversion Classroom Instruction, Training, and Qualification Toward Annual Training.

(1) A law enforcement agency may use the following conversion training toward a police officer's annual firearms classroom instruction, training, and qualification requirements for the specific firearm used in the conversion training conducted in the same calendar year:

(a) One day-fire conversion qualification score; and

(b) One reduced light conversion qualification score.

(2) If firearms conversion classroom instruction is less than 14 hours, a law enforcement agency may use a maximum of 2 hours of the firearms conversion classroom instruction toward meeting a police officer's annual firearms classroom instruction requirements in the same calendar year the conversion training was conducted.

(3) If firearms conversion classroom instruction is 14 hours or more, a law enforcement agency may use a maximum of 6 hours of the firearms conversion classroom instruction toward meeting a police officer's annual firearms classroom instruction requirements for the same calendar year the conversion training was conducted.

Md. Code Regs. 12.04.02.09

Regulations .09 amended effective March 14, 1983 (10:5 Md. R. 465)
Regulation .09, Firearms Training and Instructor Certification Regulations, adopted effective January 1, 1992 (18:20 Md. R. 2199)
Regulations .09 adopted effective January 1, 2009 (35:24 Md. R. 2078); amended effective 49:7 Md. R.468, eff. 4/4/2022