Md. Code Regs. 12.10.04.03

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

Section 12.10.04.03 - General Requirements - Authorized Firearms Classroom Instruction, Training, and Qualification, and Firing Line Supervision

A. Firearms Classroom Instruction, Training, and Qualification Requirements - General.

(1) A firearms qualified employee may not use or carry a firearm unless:

(a) The firearm is approved by the firearms qualified employee's employer;

(b) The firearms qualified employee's employer authorizes the firearms qualified employee to use or carry the firearm; and

(c) The firearms qualified employee successfully completes the applicable firearms classroom instruction, training, and qualification for the firearm established under this chapter.

(2) All rounds required to be discharged by this chapter shall be fired with only one finger on the trigger.

(3) If a firearm becomes defective or unavailable to a firearms qualified employee during firearms training or qualification, a substitute firearm may be used for the firearms training or qualification if the substitute firearm is the same type, model, manufacture, caliber, and barrel length as the defective or unavailable firearm.

(4) Entrance-Level Firearms Classroom Instruction, Training, and Qualification.

(a) For an individual to be initially authorized to use or carry a firearm, except a firearm for which authorization is provided through conversion under Regulation .09 of this chapter, the individual shall successfully complete entrance-level firearms classroom instruction, training, and qualification established under this chapter for the firearm.

(b) The individual may complete the entrance-level firearms classroom instruction, training, and qualification:

(i) As a part of entrance-level firearms classroom instruction, training, and qualification required by COMAR 12.10.01; or

(ii) Independent of the entrance-level firearms classroom instruction, training, and qualification required by COMAR 12.10.01.

(c) Commission firearms training objectives required for the entrance-level firearms classroom instruction, training, and qualification are available from the Commission upon written request.

B. Firing Line Supervision Requirements - General.

(1) At least one firearms provisional instructor, line instructor, or firearms instructor shall be present for every five or fewer individuals on the firing line.

(2) If more than one firearms provisional instructor, line instructor, or firearms instructor is required to be present, the individual responsible for the firearms training and qualification shall designate a firearms instructor or line instructor to supervise the firing line.

(3) If more than 15 individuals are on the firing line:

(a) The individual responsible for the firearms training and qualification shall assign a firing line controller; and

(b) The firing line controller may not be counted as part of the one-to-five ratio required under this regulation.

C. If an individual has met the requirements of this chapter to be a firearms qualified employee but has not met the annual firearms classroom instruction, training, and qualification under Regulation .08 of this chapter for three or more consecutive years, the individual shall successfully complete the entrance-level firearms classroom instruction, training, and qualification before being authorized to carry or use a firearm.

D. Firearms Classroom Instruction, Training, and Qualification - Approval and Minimum Hours.

(1) Commission Approval.

(a) Written approval by the Commission is required for firearms classroom instruction, training, and qualification.

(b) An academy or employer of a firearms qualified employee requesting approval shall submit the request to the Commission 20 days before the academy or employer plans to start the firearms classroom instruction, training, and qualification.

(2) The minimum hours required for firearms classroom instruction, training, and qualification established under this chapter:

(a) Only include the actual hours of firearms classroom instruction, training, and qualification; and

(b) Do not include meals and breaks.

Md. Code Regs. 12.10.04.03

Regulations .03 adopted effective July 1, 2001 (28:12 Md. R. 1111)
Regulations .03 adopted effective January 1, 2013 (39:16 Md. R.1081)