Code of Maryland Regulations
Title 12 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONAL SERVICES
Subtitle 04 - POLICE TRAINING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION
Chapter 12.04.02 - Firearms Training
Section 12.04.02.05 - Course of Fire Requirements for Handgun Qualification

Universal Citation: MD Code Reg 12.04.02.05
Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 19, September 20, 2024

The following table establishes the minimum entrance-level, annual, and conversion courses of fire requirements for primary handgun qualification:

Type of Requirement Handgun
Day-Fire Required Course of
Fire for Qualification		 Handgun
Reduced Light Required Course of
Fire for Qualification
(1) Rounds to be discharged with one finger on the trigger Minimum of 30 rounds on each course of fire Minimum of 30 rounds on the course of fire
(2) Minimum passing score 70 percent on each of the three successive courses of fire 70 percent
(3) Target description Depiction of human torso or silhouette marked to indicate scoring values in a maximum scoring area of 725 square inches Depiction of human torso or silhouette marked to indicate scoring values in a maximum scoring area of 725 square inches.
(4) Required percentages of rounds to be fired, and required firing distances A minimum of 10 percent, but not more than 40 percent, of the course of fire rounds shall be discharged at each of the following four range of distances: (a) Less than 5 yards; (b) 5 yards to less than 10 yards; (c) 10 to less than 25 yards; and (d) 25 yards or farther. A minimum of 10 percent, but no more than 40 percent, of the course of fire rounds shall be discharged at each of the following three range of distances: (a) Less than 5 yards; (b) 5 yards to less than 15 yards; and (c) 15 yards or farther
(5) Maximum time permitted per round of ammunition fired at specified distances (a) 2 seconds per round when firing at less than 5 yards; (b) 3 seconds per round when firing at 5 yards to less than 10 yards; (c) 4 seconds per round when firing at 10 yards to less than 25 yards; (d) 5 seconds per round when firing at 25 yards, or farther (a) 2 seconds per round when firing at less than 5 yards; (b) 3 seconds per round when firing at 5 yards to less than 15 yards; (c) 4 seconds per round when firing at 15 yards, or farther
(6) Maximum time permitted to move from one specified firing position to the next 5 seconds 5 seconds
(7) Maximum time permitted for each instance of reloading the handgun during the course of fire Revolver-17 seconds Pistol-8 seconds Revolver-17 seconds Pistol-8 seconds
(8) Minimum requirements for holding the handgun while discharging rounds during the course of fire (a) Strong hand supported by weak hand; (b) Strong hand with no support; (c) Weak hand supported by strong hand; and (d) Weak hand with no support (a) Strong hand supported by weak hand; (b) Strong hand with no support; (c) Weak hand supported by strong hand; and (d) Weak hand with no support
(9) Minimum body positions from which rounds are to be fired during the course of fire (a) Standing; (b) Kneeling; and (c) Two different positions from barricade (a) Standing; and (b) Kneeling
(10) Supplemental lighting conditions suggested during course of fire Not Applicable At least one of the following: (a) Flares; (b) Street lights; (c) Vehicle lights; (d) Flashlights; (e) Vehicle emergency lights; or (f) Alternate lighting source

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