515 CMR 3.00: Firearms Course and Instructor Certifications and Firearms Surrender Programs

Authority

G.L. c. 140, §§ 131O and 131P

Issuing Authority: Department of State Police
Regulatory Authority: G.L. c. 140, §§ 131O and 131P
MA REG. #1328, Dated 12-16-16

Purpose (§ 3.01)

Governs basic firearms safety (BFS) instructor and course certifications (§ 131P) and the statewide firearms surrender program (§ 131O).

Not applicable to OLE (Office of Law Enforcement / Environmental Police) firearms safety courses exempted under § 131P.

Instructor Certification (§ 3.04)

Requirements Must hold FID or LTC and may only instruct on firearms for which licensed. Must document status as at least one of: - NRA or other nationally recognized firearms safety instructor - Federal, state, or municipal LE firearms instructor - US military firearms instructor - OLE basic hunter education instructor - MPTC firearms instructor or MPTC-certified instructor - Firearms manufacturer/academy instructor - Any other person deemed competent by the Colonel (discretionary)

Application Apply to Department of State Police, Licensing Unit, 470 Worcester Road, Framingham, MA 01702.

Certification Period 10 years, unless sooner revoked for unsuitability (Colonel's discretion). Each certificate assigned a unique number.

Instructor Obligations Must forward student completion information to MSP Licensing Unit on prescribed form.

BFS Course Curriculum (§ 3.05)

Grandfathering - Persons licensed (FID or LTC) on June 1, 1998 are exempt from BFS requirements for all subsequent renewals and cross-licensure. - Persons licensed after June 1, 1998 who completed a BFS course for initial FID/LTC are exempt from subsequent BFS for renewals. - Certificates issued June 1 - October 21, 1998 are valid if the course was later approved.

Curriculum Criteria Must include criteria per § 131P(b): - FID courses: Rifles/shotguns as primary subject matter (unless an approved LTC course) - LTC courses: Pistols/revolvers as primary subject matter - Courses lacking a firearms law component may use guest speakers or written materials

Approved FID Courses (§ 3.05(3)) - NRA Basic Rifle or Shotgun Courses; NRA Home Safety Course - SIG Arms Academy Firearms Orientation (Shotgun/Carbine/Rifle) - Smith & Wesson Academy Massachusetts FID Safety Training Course - Any approved LTC BFS course

Approved LTC Courses (§ 3.05(4)) - Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association Basic Handgun Safety Course - NRA Basic Pistol Course; NRA Personal Protection Course; NRA Home Safety Course - SIG Arms Academy Handgun Orientation Course - Smith & Wesson Academy Massachusetts Carry Permit Course

Other Courses (§ 3.05(5)-(6)) Additional courses approved individually by the Colonel on application.

Completion Certificate (§ 3.05(7)) Must contain: course title, approval reference, purpose (FID or LTC), student name and DOB, completion date, instructor name/signature/certification number.

Firearms Surrender Program (§ 3.06)

Process 1. Person notifies local LE or State Police (in writing or by phone) of desire to surrender 2. Arrangements made for date, time, location, manner, and receiving officer 3. State Police Firearms Identification Section receives surrendered firearms for disposal

Disposal Requirements - Official department request on prescribed form, signed by department chief or evidence officer and submitting officer - Each firearm listed with caliber, manufacturer, type/model, serial number - LEAPS and NCIC stolen record check completed with negative results - Maximum 25 firearms per submission (unless approved) - Court order may substitute for official department request

Immunity (§ 3.06(5)) Persons turning in firearms at the arranged date/time/location shall not be asked for identification and shall be immune from prosecution for possession per § 131O.