Submitted by Tim Danahey
MARYLAND L.E.O.S.A. APPLICATION PROCEDURE BOTH LOCAL AND STATE
LOCAL
There are two choices to qualify under the local standard.
One is to contact your local law enforcement agency; municipal,
county, sheriff etc. to find out what they offer for retirees
or contact the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission
(MPCTC) to make arrangements to complete the firearm and training
qualifications. The telephone number for the Commission is
(410) 552-6300.
On attending
the training, you will need to have your retirement credentials
and a current Maryland driver’s license with
you. You must reside in Maryland.
There will be approximately 3 hours of class room during which
you will certify you have no mental issues, retired in good
standing, had arrest authority and are receiving a non-forfeitable
retirement. The class covers; range and handgun safety, verify
it is understood you have no police powers and are not protected
by any law enforcement related provisions if you take an action.
A written exam will follow which you must pass and then you
will qualify with the handgun.
Maryland allows you to carry a revolver, semi auto pistol
or both. You need to qualify with both if you elect to have
the option to carry both. You are not limited to the handgun
you qualify with as the handgun you will carry. As an example,
you qualify with a Glock .40 cal and carry a Sig 9mm. The individual
provides their own ammunition, ear and eye protection are required.
The firing qualification is shooting from the 3, 7, 15 and
25 yard lines with upper and lower barricade shooting at the
15 and 25 yard lines. There is also a reduced light shooting
course of fire you must complete from the 3, 7, and 15 yard
lines.
The firearms
instructor must be certified by the MPCTC and following the
range time will provide you a score sheet with
their certification and your shooting score(s). If you do not
pass you will need to reschedule. According to the Sheriff’s
Department representative in Charles County this completed
document (reducing the page size for carry is optional) along
with your retired credentials satisfies the requirement under
LEOSA.
When armed you must carry your retired credential and a copy
of your qualification form that is valid within a twelve month
period. This application procedure will be done annually and
it is the responsibility of the individual to qualify each
year prior to the expiration date.
OBTAINING THE STATE OF MARYLAND RETIRED L.E.O.S.A. CERTIFICATION
CARD
The
annual card is optional and will replace your carrying of the
qualification
score sheet. You must first complete the
criteria mentioned in the “Local” section. Go to
www.mdsp.org, on the left side menu click on: “Firearms/Permits/Licensing.” Next
page scroll down to “Law Enforcement Officer’s
Safety Act (LEOSA) Application.” Click on: “LEOSA
eMDSP Guidance Document (DOC).” In this section will
be instructional pages, a page you will fill in and print out
to authorize the department of Health and Mental Hygiene to
disclose to the state police any information as it pertains
to violent behavior or confinement in a mental health facility.
Your notarized signature is required.
Another
form in this section is: “Certification of Prior
Law Enforcement Employment.” Download this form and mail
it along with a letter to NCIS requesting the form be filled
out, signed and is mailed back to you and not to the state
firearms licensing division. This was coordinated in 2010 with
both Codes 11 and 10 and is a one-time certification.
The form for certification by the firearms instructor is included
in this section also and is the same one you received from
your qualification. The remaining forms included in this section
are for retired Maryland State Police only and are marked as
such. Do not include these with your packet.
Return
to the LEOSA Application page where you found the guidance
document. Click on the next line down from that: “LEOSA
eMDSP Application Website (LINK).” On this page you will
establish an eMDSP account and submit the: State of Maryland
Separated Law Enforcement Application for Certification to
Carry a Concealed Firearm. You will go through a series of
questions. On completion you will be asked to verify your information
and then click “submit.” This is all electronic
and you will not have a copy. A billing page will come up asking
for your credit card info to pay an $8.00 fee. The next page
will be a receipt, assure you print this out as a copy will
need to be included with the documents you send.
When you
receive the completed employment verification form back from
NCIS place it with the completed handgun qualification
certification, verification that you are receiving a non-forfeitable
retirement, the notarized authorized release of information
form and a copy of the printed receipt from your successful
eMDSP LEOSA application submission/fee payment. Include color
copies of the front and back of your retired credentials and
your Maryland driver’s license. This will all be mailed
to: Licensing Division, Handgun Permit Unit, 1111 Reisterstown
Road, Pikesville, MD 21208.
Make sure
all your information is correct. If you make an error and/or
information is missing the fee is non-refundable
and you may be charged an additional fee. All the information
is provided in the instructional document located in the: “LEOSA
eMDSP Guidance Document (.DOC )” link. |
