Md. Code Regs. 12.04.06.01

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 12, June 14, 2024

Section 12.04.06.01 - Definitions

A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

B. Terms Defined.

(1) "Commission" means the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission or a representative authorized to act on behalf of the Commission.

(2) Course of Fire.

(a) "Course of fire" means a sequence of activities related to the actual discharge of a firearm on a firing line for training or qualification.

(b) "Course of fire" does not include firearm classroom instruction.

(3) "Day fire" has the meaning stated under COMAR 12.04.02.02B.

(4) "Deputy Director" means the Deputy Director of the Police and Correctional Training Commissions, or the Deputy Director's designee.

(5) "Firearm" means a pistol, revolver, or long gun.

(6) Firearm Classroom Instruction.

(a) "Firearm classroom instruction" means training conducted in a traditional educational setting such as a room with desks, chairs, books, paper, and other educational tools or equipment.

(b) "Firearm classroom instruction" does not include training conducted on a firing line.

(7) "Firing line" means an area and position from which an individual actually discharges a firearm with live ammunition for firearms training or qualification, or both, as part of a course of fire.

(8) Firearms Training,

(a) "Firearms training" means a demonstration or an exercise, in addition to firearm classroom instruction, that is provided:

(i) By an individual certified under Regulation .12 of this chapter or COMAR 12.10.06 to perform firearm classroom instruction, conduct firearms training or qualification; and

(ii) To enhance understanding, proficiency, marksmanship, and other skills related to proper firearm use and tactics, such as movement, multiple targets, judgmental or decision training, and use of cover and concealment.

(b) "Firearms training" may include drills that involve discharging rounds of ammunition.

(9) "Firearm type" means:

(a) The following handguns:

(i) Revolver; or

(ii) Pistol; and

(b) The following long guns:

(i) Shotgun; or

(ii) Long gun other than a shotgun.

(10) Handgun.

(a) "Handgun" has the meaning stated in Public Safety Article, § 5-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.

(b) "Handgun" includes a:

(i) Pistol; and

(ii) Revolver.

(11) Inactive Status.

(a) "Inactive status" means a situation in which an individual, who continues to be employed by or under the supervision of a law enforcement agency or academy certified under COMAR 12.04.01.10B, is temporarily relieved of duties with the law enforcement agency or academy certified under COMAR 12.04.01.10B for 30 consecutive days or more for:

(i) A medical or administrative reason that prevents the individual from completing Commission-required training; or

(ii) The purpose of suspending Commission-required training.

(b) "Inactive status" does not affect an individual's instructor certification or eligibility for provisional certification or certification.

(12) Iron Sight.

(a) "Iron sight" means a system of shaped alignment markers, typically metal or plastic, that is used as a sighting device to assist an individual in aiming a firearm.

(b) "Iron sight" does not mean an optical, computing, red dot, or reflex style sighting device.

(13) "Judgmental or decision training" means instruction and skills development conducted in the classroom, using firearms simulation, or on a firing line, to enable an individual to:

(a) Differentiate between threat levels; and

(b) Respond appropriately to an identified threat.

(14) Law Enforcement Agency.

(a) "Law enforcement agency" has the meaning stated under Public Safety Article, § 3-201, Annotated Code of Maryland.

(b) "Law enforcement agency" includes a training or personnel unit authorized to act in training or employment matters.

(15) Motorcycle.

(a) "Motorcycle" has the meaning stated in Transportation Article, § 11-136, Annotated Code of Maryland; and

(b) Is designated as an emergency vehicle in accordance with Transportation Article, § 11-118(1), Annotated Code of Maryland.

(16) Optical Sighting Device.

(a) "Optical sighting device" means an optic mechanism that assists an individual in sighting a firearm by enhancing or magnifying the image of the target and superimposing a reticle, or an aligned aiming point, over the image.

(b) "Optical sighting device" does not include an iron sight or a red dot sight.

(17) "Pistol" means a handgun that operates semi-automatically:

(a) Discharging a single round of ammunition with a pull of the trigger;

(b) Clearing the chamber of the spent casing; and

(c) Loading the next round of ammunition in the chamber.

(18) "Power" means a measurement used to describe levels of visual magnification, with a number representing the level of magnification above the normal visual range.

(19) "Qualification" as used in Regulations .12, .16, and .17 of this chapter means proficiency testing by discharging a firearm on a Commission-approved course of fire to receive a score that the Commission measures against established requirements to determine if the individual meets provisions required under this chapter for certification as a Firearms Provisional Instructor, Line Instructor, or Firearms Instructor.

(20) Red Dot Sight.

(a) "Red dot sight" means a generic term to describe a visual, computing, or reflex sighting device that reflects a reticle, or an aligned aiming point that can be any shape or color, onto a combining glass for superimposition on a target.

(b) "Red dot sight" does not include an optical sighting device or an iron sight.

(21) Reduced Light.

(a) "Reduced light" means the normal outdoor lighting conditions that exist between dusk and dawn.

(b) "Reduced light" includes simulated natural outdoor lighting conditions such as:

(i) Artificial light; or

(ii) Goggles, headgear, or an apparatus worn to cover the eyes designed to reduce the availability of light to simulate natural reduced lighting conditions.

(22) "Revolver" means a handgun that:

(a) Fires a single round of ammunition with each pull of the trigger; and

(b) Has a cylinder containing additional rounds of ammunition that rotates to position the next round of ammunition for firing.

(23) "Term of certification" means the dates during which an individual's certification for an instructor classification is in effect.

(24) "Training authority" means an individual of a law enforcement agency or academy certified under COMAR 12.04.01.10B, who is authorized by the law enforcement agency or academy certified under COMAR 12.04.01.10B to submit under provisions of this chapter an application for any of the following for another individual:

(a) Instructor certification;

(b) Renewal of instructor certification;

(c) Termination of certification;

(d) Exemption from instructor certification; or

(e) Waiver of certain requirements for instructor certification.

(25) "Training provider" means an entity that has Commission approval to conduct a training course.

(26) "Type 1 long gun" means a long gun with an optical sighting device greater than 4 power intended for use as a counter-sniper firearm.

(27) "Type 2 long gun" means a long gun with an optical sighting device greater than 4 power intended for use other than as a counter-sniper firearm.

(28) "Type 3 long gun" means a long gun without an optical sighting device, or with an optical device of 4 power or less.

(29) Type 4 Long Gun.

(a) "Type 4 long gun" means a long gun manufactured and sold as a shotgun that is designed to discharge a single projectile or multiple projectiles from a single round of ammunition.

(b) "Type 4 long gun" includes a long gun manufactured and sold as a shotgun regardless of the:

(i) Action; or

(ii) Use of an optical sighting device.

Md. Code Regs. 12.04.06.01

Regulation .01 amended effective 49:7 Md. R.468, eff. 4/4/2022