VETS/POLICE: FIREARM TRAINING WAIVER H.B. 4522: COMMITTEE SUMMARY
House Bill 4522 (as passed by the House)
Sponsor: Representative Joel Sheltrown
House Committee: Conservation, Forestry, and Outdoor Recreation
Senate Committee: Judiciary
Date Completed: 2-17-06
CONTENT
The bill would amend the handgun licensure law to specify that the training requirements for licensure to carry a concealed pistol would not apply to a current or former peace officer or to an individual to whom all of the following applied:
-- The individual provided documentation that he or she was honorably discharged from the armed forces of the United States, this State, or another state.
-- The individual successfully completed training in the armed forces in the use of a pistol and was qualified to use a pistol in the armed forces.
-- The individual certified that he or she had completed at least three hours' review of the training described under the handgun licensure law (described below) and had at least one hour of firing range time in the six months preceding the application.
Proof of training and qualification in the armed forces would have to consist of a notarized statement signed by the individual stating that he or she successfully completed training in the armed forces in the use of a pistol and was qualified to use a pistol in the armed forces.
MCL 28.425j
BACKGROUND
The handgun licensure law requires a concealed weapon licensing board to issue to an applicant a license to carry a concealed pistol after the person properly submits an application and the board determines that certain criteria are met. Among other things, the applicant must have knowledge and have had training in the safe use and handling of a pistol by the successful completion of a pistol safety training course or class presented by a law enforcement agency, junior or community college, college, or public or private institution or organization or firearms training school.
A program meets the requirements for knowledge or training in the safe use and handling of a pistol only if the program consists of at least eight hours of instruction and all of the following conditions are met:
-- The program is certified by the State or a national or State firearms training organization and provides five hours of instruction in the safe storage, use, and handling of a pistol; ammunition knowledge, and the fundamentals of pistol shooting; pistol shooting positions; firearms and the law; avoiding criminal attack and controlling a violent confrontation; and all laws that apply to carrying a concealed pistol in Michigan.
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-- The program provides at least three hours of instruction on a firing range and requires firing at least 30 rounds of ammunition.
-- The program provides a certification of completion stating that the program complies with the requirements for a training program and that the individual successfully completed that course.
-- The course instructor is certified by the State or a national organization to teach the eight-hour pistol safety training course.
Legislative Analyst: Patrick Affholter
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
Fiscal Analyst: Bruce Baker
Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. hb4522/0506