An Act To Increase Firearm Safety

Sec. 1. 25 MRSA §2014  is enacted to read:

§ 2014.  Purchase of firearms

A person who purchases a firearm shall present proof of having successfully completed an approved firearm safety course. A person may fully satisfy this requirement by presenting to the seller proof that the person has successfully completed military firearms training or a course that included firearm safety offered by or under the supervision of a federal, state, county or municipal law enforcement agency or a firearms instructor certified by a private national firearms association knowledgeable in matters of firearm safety or by the state in which the course was taken. A course completion certificate or other document, or a photocopy, is sufficient if it recites or otherwise demonstrates that the course or training meets all of the requirements of this section. A person may purchase a firearm pursuant to this section if that person presents proof that the person has satisfied the handgun safety course requirements for a permit to carry concealed handguns under section 2003, subsection 1, paragraph E.

As used in this section, "firearm" has the same meaning as in Title 17-A, section 2, subsection 12-A and "handgun" has the same meaning as in section 2002, subsection 8-A.

summary

This bill, using language modeled on the law regarding permits to carry concealed handguns, requires a person attempting to purchase a firearm to present the seller with proof of having successfully completed military firearms training or an approved firearm safety course. The bill also provides that a person may meet this requirement by presenting proof of having satisfied the handgun safety course requirements for a permit to carry concealed handguns.