Section
3.01: Purpose
3.02: Scope and Applicability
3.03: Definitions
3.04: Firearms Safety Instructors Certification
3.05: Basic Firearms Safety Course Curriculum Approval Certification
3.06: Firearms Surrender Program
3.07: Severability
3.01: Purpose
The purpose of 515 CMR 3.00 et seq.is to provide rules and regulations governing basic firearms safety instructor and course certifications required by G.L. c. 140, sect 131P and the implementation of a statewide firearms surrender program required by G.L. c. 140, § 131O.
3.02: Scope and Applicability
The Colonel of the Massachusetts Department of State Police adopts 515 CMR 3.00 et seq. under the authority of G.L. c. 140, § § 131O and 131P, to establish rules and regulations as described in those sections. These regulations are not applicable to DLE firearms safety courses exempted under G.L. c. 140, § 131P.
3.03: Definitions
BFS.Basic Firearms Safety.
BFS Certificate.Basic Firearms Safety Course Completion Certificate issued pursuant to 515 CMR 3.05(7).
Colonel.The Colonel of the Massachusetts Department of State Police or his designee.
DLE. Division of Law Enforcement within the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Environmental Law Enforcement.
FID Card.Firearms Identification Card.
LEAPS.Law Enforcement Agency Processing System/Criminal Justice Information System.
LTC.License to Carry Firearms which shall include both Class A and Class B licenses.
MCJTC.Massachusetts Criminal Justice Training Council.
NCIC.The federal National Criminal Information Center.
NRA.National Rifle Association
3.04: Firearms Safety Instructors Certification
(1) Requirements: For certification as a firearms safety instructor, a person shall be properly licensed with a FID card or LTC as required by law, and may only offer instructions on those firearms for which he is licensed. In addition BFS instructors shall provide documentation to verify status as at least one of the following:
(a) a firearms instructor of the NRA, or other nationally recognized organization that teaches firearms safety, or a firearms instructor certified by such organization;
(b) a federal, state or municipal law enforcement firearms instructor;
(c) a United States military firearms instructor;
(d) a DLE basic hunter education instructor;
(e) a firearms instructor of the MCJTC, or a firearms instructor certified by the MCJTC;
(f) a firearms instructor of afirearms manufacturer or its academy, or a firearms instructor certified by such academy; or
(g) any other person, in the discretion of the Colonel, competent to give instruction in a BFS course, which may include any person who operates a firearms safety course or program as described in G.L. c. 140, § 131P(b).
(2)Application.: An application for certification as a BFS instructor can be obtained by writing to the Department of State Police, Licensing Unit, 470 Worcester Road, Framingham, MA 01702. Upon filling out the application and submitting the application fee, as set forth in the application, and required documentation, the package can be mailed or delivered to the same address. The Colonel may require additional verifying information as deemed necessary before issuing certification. Certification or non-approval will be mailed to the applicant.
(3) Instructor Certification:Certification as a firearms safety instructor shall be valid for a period of ten years, unless sooner revoked because of unsuitability, in the discretion of the Colonel. Each BFS Instructor's Certificate shall be on a form prescribed by the Colonel and shall be designated a unique number.
(4) Certified Instructor Obligation: Instructors shall forward information regarding students who successfully complete an instructor's BFS course, on a form prescribed by the Colonel to:
The Department of State Police, Firearm Licensing Unit, 470 Worcester Road, Framingham, MA 01702
3.05: Basic Firearms Safety Course Curriculum Approval Certification
(1.)Applicability.
a.) Any person lawfully licensed with a FID card on June 1, 1998 shall not be required to complete the statutorily required BFS course or submit a BFS certificate for:
1.) subsequent FID card renewals; or
2.) subsequent LTC licensure and renewals.
(b) Any person lawfully licensed with a LTC card on June 1, 1998 shall not be required to complete the statutorily required BFS course or submit a BFS certificate for:
1.) subsequent LTC renewals; or
2.) subsequent FID card licensure and renewals.
(c) Any person licensed after June 1, 1998 who completed a BFS course for an initial FID card or LTC shall not be required to complete a subsequent statutorily required BFS course or submit a BFS Certificate for FID card or LTC renewals.
(2.) Basic Firearms Safety Course Curriculum Criteria. Curriculum for a BFS course shall include curriculum criteria as described in G.L. c. 140, § 131P(b).
(a) A BFS course used as a prerequisite for a FID shall use rifles and/or shotguns as the primary subject matter of the curriculum unless the course is an approved LTC BFS course. A BFS course used as a prerequisite for a LTC shall use pistols and/or revolvers as the primary subject matter of the curriculum.
(b) Certain BFS course curriculums do not contain a firearms related law component. Such curriculums can still meet Department of State Police curriculum criteria by utilizing guest speakers familiar with firearms laws or by utilizing or distributing to its students written informational pamphlets/books/videos by an entity/individual familiar with firearms laws to cover that portion of the course.
(3.) FID Card Basic Firearms Safety Courses. The following BFS courses, with fulfillment of 515 CMR 3.05(2)(b) requirements as applicable, meet the Department of State Police's criteria for obtaining a FID card and are approved:
(a) NRA Basic Rifle or Shotgun Courses;
(b) SIG Arms Academy Firearms Orientation and Familiarization Courses for Shotgun, Carbine or Rifle; and
(c) Smith & Wesson Academy Massachusetts F.I.D. Safety Training Course.
(d) Approved LTC Basic Firearms Safety Course as set forth in 515 CMR 3.05(4) or (5).
(4.) LTC Basic Firearms Safety Courses. The following BFS courses, with fulfillment of 515 CMR 3.05(2)(b) requirements as applicable, meet the Department of State Police's criteria for obtaining a LTC and are approved:
(a)Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association Basic Handgun Safety Course;
(b) NRA Basic Pistol Course, NRA Personal Protection Course or NRA Home Safety Course;
(c) SIG Arms Academy Handgun Orientation Course; and
(d) Smith & Wesson Academy Massachusetts Carry Permit Course.
(5.) Courses Not Listed in 515 CMR 3.05(3) and (4). Additional courses will be approved on an individual basis at the discretion of the Colonel pursuant to 515 CMR 3.05(6).
(6.) Issuance of Basic Firearms Safety Course Curriculum Approval Certification. For courses not listed in this section, a BFS course curriculum approval application can be obtained by writing to the Department of State Police, Licensing Unit, 470 Worcester Road, Framingham, MA 01702. The application can be mailed or delivered to the same address. A letter approving the course or denying approval because the course does not meet the curriculum requirements will be mailed to the applicant.
(7.) Basic Firearms Safety Course Completion Certificate. Certificates of completion shall be provided by the certified BFS instructor to the student upon successful completion of a BFS course, approved as set forth in 515 CMR 3.05. All such certificates shall be in a form prescribed by the Colonel and shall contain the following information:
(a) Course title and the fact the course was approved in accordance with 515 CMR 3.05;
(b) Purpose for which course was offered, i.e. "Valid for FID Card" or "Valid for LTC" (Courses valid for LTC are also valid for FID Cards);
(c) Name and date of birth of the student;
(d) Date of course completion; and
(e.) Certified BFS instructor's typed or printed name, signature, and BFS Instructor Certification number.