§ 74C-13.1.  Exemption from firearms training requirements.

(a) The following persons shall be exempt from the firearms training requirements of G.S. 74C-13:

(1) Any person who has successfully completed the North Carolina Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) and the first year of probationary employment.

(2) Persons who have retired or separated in good standing within three years preceding the date of application, including by years of service or medical disability, as a sworn law enforcement officer from a federal, state, county, or municipal law enforcement agency that included in their duty the use and qualification of a firearm.

(3) Military personnel who have been honorably discharged within three years preceding the date of application, and whose military occupational specialty included Military Police or Criminal Investigative Division (CID) within three years preceding the date of application.

(4) Employees of a nuclear power plant that are required to comply with 10 C.F.R. § 73.55 Appendix B, "Training and Qualification of Security Personnel," as supplemented by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Regulatory Guide 5.75.

(b) An applicant claiming an exemption contained in subsection (a) of this section must provide the Board the following documentation, as appropriate:

(1) A copy of a North Carolina BLET training certificate and a letter from the applicant's department that verifies the probationary employment period of the applicant has been completed.

(2) Retirement documentation from within the preceding three years that verifies the applicant's previous sworn status, or the card issued by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Training & Standards Division that authorizes concealed carry under the United States Law Enforcement Officers' Safety Act of 2004.

(3) Documentation from a United States Department of Defense Form DD-214, Form DD-215, or Form NGB-22 noting a Military Police or CID military occupational specialty.

(4) Retirement or separation from employment documentation from a federal law enforcement agency with a United States Office of Personnel Management job series of 1811.

(5) Documentation of current and direct employment with a nuclear power plant located in this State.

(c) The Board shall deny the exemption claimed by the applicant if the applicant fails to provide the documentation, as appropriate, as described in subsection (b) of this section.

(d) The applicant must qualify within the first three attempts on the required firearm qualification course when applying for an exemption under this section. If the applicant fails to qualify on the firearm training course, the applicant shall be required to undergo the entire 20-hour course of instruction.

(e) When utilizing this exemption, the applicant must complete the legal block of instruction required by G.S. 74C-13(h)(1) and the Board's administrative rules. (2022-66, s. 1.)