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 |
Md. Code Regs. 12.04.02.05
Regulations .05 adopted effective January 1, 2009 (35:24 Md. R. 2078)