HB2551 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB099 07313 RLC 27421 b

99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2015 and 2016
HB2551

Introduced , by Rep. Brandon W. Phelps

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

430 ILCS 66/75

Amends the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Provides that an officer or official paid or unpaid who has successfully completed firearms training as required by his or her law enforcement agency and is authorized by his or her agency to carry a firearm is exempt from the firearms training required for other applicants for a concealed carry license. Provides that the Department of State Police and certified firearms instructors shall recognize up to 8 hours of training already completed toward the 16 hour training requirement if the training course is approved by the Department and was completed in connection with the applicant's previous employment as a paid or unpaid officer or official authorized to carry a firearm in the performance of his or her duties previously. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning safety.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Firearm Concealed Carry Act is amended by changing Section 75 as follows:

(430 ILCS 66/75)

Sec. 75. Applicant firearm training.

(a) Within 60 days of the effective date of this Act, the Department shall begin approval of firearm training courses and shall make a list of approved courses available on the Department's website.

(b) An applicant for a new license shall provide proof of completion of a firearms training course or combination of courses approved by the Department of at least 16 hours, which includes range qualification time under subsection (c) of this Section, that covers the following:

(1) firearm safety;

(2) the basic principles of marksmanship;

(3) care, cleaning, loading, and unloading of a concealable firearm;

(4) all applicable State and federal laws relating to the ownership, storage, carry, and transportation of a firearm; and

(5) instruction on the appropriate and lawful interaction with law enforcement while transporting or carrying a concealed firearm.

(c) An applicant for a new license shall provide proof of certification by a certified instructor that the applicant passed a live fire exercise with a concealable firearm consisting of:

(1) a minimum of 30 rounds; and

(2) 10 rounds from a distance of 5 yards; 10 rounds from a distance of 7 yards; and 10 rounds from a distance of 10 yards at a B-27 silhouette target approved by the Department.

(d) An applicant for renewal of a license shall provide proof of completion of a firearms training course or combination of courses approved by the Department of at least 3 hours.

(e) A certificate of completion for an applicant's firearm training course shall not be issued to a student who:

(1) does not follow the orders of the certified firearms instructor;

(2) in the judgment of the certified instructor, handles a firearm in a manner that poses a danger to the student or to others; or

(3) during the range firing portion of testing fails to hit the target with 70% of the rounds fired.

(f) An instructor shall maintain a record of each student's performance for at least 5 years, and shall make all records available upon demand of authorized personnel of the Department.

(g) The Department and certified firearms instructors shall recognize up to 8 hours of training already completed toward the 16 hour training requirement under this Section if the training course is submitted to and approved by the Department. Any remaining hours that the applicant completes must at least cover the classroom subject matter of paragraph (4) of subsection (b) of this Section, and the range qualification in subsection (c) of this Section.

(h) A person who has qualified to carry a firearm as an active law enforcement, or corrections officer, or other officer or official paid or unpaid, who has successfully completed firearms training as required by his or her law enforcement agency and is authorized by his or her agency to carry a firearm; a person currently certified as a firearms instructor by this Act or by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board; or a person who has completed the required training and has been issued a firearm control card by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall be exempt from the requirements of this Section.

(i) The Department and certified firearms instructors shall recognize 8 hours of training as completed toward the 16 hour training requirement under this Section, if the applicant is an active, retired, or honorably discharged member of the United States Armed Forces. Any remaining hours that the applicant completes must at least cover the classroom subject matter of paragraph (4) of subsection (b) of this Section, and the range qualification in subsection (c) of this Section.

(j) The Department and certified firearms instructors shall recognize up to 8 hours of training already completed toward the 16 hour training requirement under this Section if the training course is approved by the Department and was completed in connection with the applicant's previous employment as a law enforcement, or corrections officer, or other officer or official paid or unpaid authorized to carry a firearm in the performance of his or her duties previously. Any remaining hours that the applicant completes must at least cover the classroom subject matter of paragraph (4) of subsection (b) of this Section, and the range qualification in subsection (c) of this Section. A former law enforcement or corrections officer seeking credit under this subsection (j) shall provide evidence that he or she separated from employment in good standing from each law enforcement agency where he or she was employed. An applicant who was discharged from a law enforcement agency for misconduct or disciplinary reasons is not eligible for credit under this subsection (j).

(Source: P.A. 98-63, eff. 7-9-13; 98-600, eff. 12-6-13.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.