14B NCAC 16 .0807          TRAINING REQUIREMENTS FOR ARMED LICENSEES AND REGISTRANTS

(a)  Applicants for an armed security guard firearm registration permit shall first complete the basic unarmed security guard training course set forth in Rule .0707 of this Chapter.

(b)  Private investigator, close personal protection, or any other licensees applying for an armed permit shall first complete a training course consisting of the courses set forth in Rule .0707(a)(1) and (2) of this Chapter.

(c)  Applicants for an armed security guard firearm registration permit shall complete a basic training course for armed security guards which consists of at least 20 hours of classroom instruction including:

(1)           legal limitations on the use of handguns and on the powers and authority of an armed security guard, including familiarity with rules and regulations relating to armed security guards (minimum of four hours);

(2)           handgun safety, including range firing procedures (minimum of one hour);

(3)           handgun operation and maintenance (minimum of three hours);

(4)           handgun fundamentals (minimum of eight hours); and

(5)           night firing (minimum of four hours).

Subparagraph (c)(2), "operation" under Subparagraph (c)(3), and Subparagraph (c)(4) of this Rule shall be completed prior to the applicant's participation in range firing.

(d)  Applicants for either an armed licensee permit or an armed security guard firearm registration permit shall attain a score of at least 80 percent accuracy on a firearms range qualification course established by the Board and the Secretary of Public Safety, a copy of which is on file in the Director's office, once in three consecutive attempts. Should a student fail to attain a score of 80 percent accuracy, the student shall be given a second opportunity to qualify once in three consecutive attempts on the course of fire the student did not pass. Failure to qualify after the second series of attempts shall require the student to repeat the entire basic training course for armed security guards. All attempts must take place within 20 days of the completion of the initial 20 hour course. For rifle qualification all shots shall be located on the target.

(e)  All training required by this Rule shall be administered by a certified trainer and the training required by Paragraph (c) of this Rule and the initial training for authorization for a rifle or shotgun shall be completed no more than 90 days prior to the date of application for the licensee permit or armed security guard firearm registration permit.

(f)  All applicants for an armed security guard firearm registration permit shall obtain training under the provisions of this Section using their duty weapon and their duty ammunition or ballistic equivalent ammunition, to include lead-free ammunition that meets the same point of aim, point of impact, and felt recoil of the duty ammunition, for all firearms.

(g)  No more than six new or renewal licensee permit or armed security guard applicants per one instructor shall be placed on the firing line at any one time during firearms range training.

(h)  Applicants for re-certification of an armed licensee permit or an armed security guard firearm registration permit shall complete the basic recertification training course for armed security guards that consists of at least four hours of classroom instruction and is a review of the requirements set forth in Subparagraphs (c)(1) through (c)(5) of this Rule. Subparagraph (c)(2), operation under Subparagraph (c)(3), and Subparagraphs (c)(4) and (5) of this Rule shall be reviewed prior to range firing; and however maintenance under Subparagraph (c)(3) may be reviewed after range firing. The recertification course is valid for 180 days after completion of the course. Applicants for recertification of a licensee permit or an armed security guard firearm registration permit shall also complete the requirements of Paragraph (d) of this Rule.

(i)  An armed guard registered with one company may be registered with a second company. The registration shall be considered "dual." The registration with the second company shall expire at the same time that the registration expires with the first company. An updated application shall be required to be submitted by the applicant, along with the digital photograph, updated criminal records checks, and a forty dollar ($40.00) registration fee. If the guard's duty firearm for all companies is the same make, model, and caliber, then no additional firearms training shall be required. The licensee shall submit a letter stating the guard will be carrying the same make and model firearm. If the guard will be carrying a firearm of a different make and model, the licensee shall submit a letter to the Board advising of the make, model, and caliber of the firearm the guard will be carrying and the guard shall be required to qualify at the firing range on both the day and night qualification course. The qualification score is valid for 180 days after completion of the course.

(j)  To be authorized to carry a standard 12 gauge shotgun in the performance of his or her duties as an armed security guard, an applicant shall complete, in addition to the requirements of Paragraphs (a), (c), and (d) of this Rule, six hours of classroom training that shall include the following:

(1)           legal limitations on the use of shotgun (minimum of one hour);

(2)           shotgun safety, including range firing procedures (minimum of one hour);

(3)           shotgun operation and maintenance (minimum of one hour);

(4)           shotgun fundamentals (minimum of two hours); and

(5)           night firing (minimum of one hour).

Subparagraph (j)(2), "operation" under Subparagraph (j)(3), and Subparagraph (j)(4) of this Rule shall be completed prior to the applicant's participation in range firing.

(k)  An armed security guard applicant may take the additional shotgun training at a time after the initial training in this Rule. If the shotgun training is completed at a later time, the shotgun certification shall run concurrent with the armed registration permit. In addition to the requirements set forth in Paragraph (j) of this Rule, applicants shall attain a score of at least 80 percent accuracy on a shotgun range qualification course established by the Board and the Secretary of Public Safety, a copy of which is on file in the Director's office.

(l)  Applicants for shotgun recertification shall complete one hour of classroom training covering the topics set forth in Paragraph (j) of this Rule and shall also complete the requirements of Paragraph (d) of this Rule.

(m)  To be authorized to carry a rifle in the performance of his or her duties as an armed security guard, an applicant shall complete, in addition to the requirements of Paragraphs (a), (c), and (d) of this Rule, 16 hours of classroom training which shall include the following:

(1)           legal limitations on the use of rifles (minimum of one hour);

(2)           rifle safety, including range firing procedures (minimum of one hour);

(3)           rifle operation and maintenance (minimum of two hours);

(4)           rifle fundamentals (minimum of ten hours); and

(5)           night firing (minimum two hours).

Subparagraph (m)(2), "operation" under Subparagraph (m)(3), and Subparagraph (m)(4) of this Rule shall be completed prior to the applicant's participation in range firing.

(n)  The applicant shall pass a skills course that tests each basic rifle skill and the test of each skill shall be completed within three attempts.

(o)  An applicant may take the additional rifle training at a time after the initial training in Subsection (c) of this Rule. If the rifle training is completed at a later time, the rifle certification shall run concurrent with the armed registration permit. In addition to the requirements set forth in Paragraphs (m) and (n) of this Rule, applicants shall attain a score of at least 80 percent accuracy on a rifle range qualification course established by the Board and the Secretary of Public Safety, a copy of which is on file in the Director's office.

(p)  Applicants for rifle recertification shall complete an additional one hour of classroom training covering the topics set forth in Paragraph (m) of this Rule and shall also complete the requirements of Paragraph (d) of this Rule.

(q)  Upon written request, an applicant for an armed licensee permit or an armed security guard firearm registration permit who possesses a current firearms trainer certificate shall be given a licensee permit or registration permit that will run concurrent with the trainer certificate upon completion of an annual qualification with the applicant's duty firearms as set forth in Paragraph (d) of this Rule.

(r)  An armed licensee or security guard is required to qualify annually both for day and night firing with his or her duty handgun, shotgun, and rifle, if applicable. If the licensee or security guard fails to qualify on any course of fire, the licensee or security guard shall not carry the firearm until such time as he or she meets the qualification requirements. Upon failure to qualify, the firearm instructor shall notify the licensee or security guard verbally that he or she is no longer authorized to carry the firearm and the firearm instructor shall notify the employer and the Private Protective Services Board staff in writing on the next business day.

(s)  A firearm training certificate of an armed security guard remains valid even if the guard leaves the employment of one company for the employment of another. The range qualifications shall remain valid if the guard will be carrying a firearm of the same make, model, and caliber and no additional firearms training shall be required. The licensee shall submit a letter stating the guard will be carrying the same make and model firearm. If the guard will be carrying a firearm of a different make and model, the licensee shall submit a letter to the Board advising of the make, model, and caliber of the firearm the guard will be carrying and the guard shall be required to qualify at the firing range on both the day and night qualification course. The qualification score is valid for 180 days after completion of the course. However, nothing herein shall extend the period of time the qualification is valid.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 74C-5; 74C-9; 74C-13;

Eff. June 1, 1984;

Amended Eff. November 1, 1991; February 1, 1990; July 1, 1987;

Temporary Amendment Eff. January 14, 2002;

Amended Eff. October 1, 2013; October 1, 2010; June 1, 2009; February 1, 2006; August 1, 2002;

Transferred and Recodified from 12 NCAC 07D .0807 Eff. July 1, 2015;

Amended Eff. January 1, 2018; February 1, 2016; October 1, 2015;

Readopted Eff. November 1, 2019;

Amended Eff. January 1, 2023; February 1, 2022;

Temporary Amendment Eff. April 28, 2023;

Amended Eff. November 1, 2023.