1476

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 565

WHILE HUNTING.

(1)    THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PRESCRIBE A COURSE
OF INSTRUCTION IN CONSERVATION, COMPETENCY AND SAFETY IN
THE HANDLING OF FIREARMS.

(2)    THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DESIGNATE THOSE
PERSONS OR AGENCIES AUTHORIZED TO GIVE THE COURSE OF
INSTRUCTION, AND THIS DESIGNATION SHALL BE VALID UNTIL
REVOKED BY THE DEPARTMENT. THOSE DESIGNATED PERSONS
SHALL SUBMIT TO THE DEPARTMENT VALIDATED LISTINGS NAMING
ALL PERSONS WHO HAVE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE COURSE OF
INSTRUCTION.

(3) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ISSUE A CERTIFICATE
OF COMPETENCY AND SAFETY TO EACH PERSON WHO SUCCESSFULLY
COMPLETES THE COURSE OF INSTRUCTION, AND THE CERTIFICATE
SHALL BE VALID UNTIL REVOKED BY THE DEPARTMENT.

(4) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ISSUE A CERTIFICATE
OF COMPETENCY AND SAFETY TO ANY PERSON UNDER EIGHTEEN
YEARS OF AGE WHOSE PARENT, GRANDPARENT OR GUARDIAN HAS

CERTIFIED THAT THE APPLICANT HAS BEEN INSTRUCTED IN

CONSERVATION, COMPETENCY AND SAFETY IN THE HANDLING OF

FIREARMS AND SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED SUCH A COURSE OF

INSTRUCTION.

(C)    DEPARTMENT TO COORDINATE STATEWIDE PROGRAM.

(1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL INSTITUTE AND
COORDINATE A STATEWIDE COURSE OF INSTRUCTION IN
CONSERVATION, COMPETENCY AND SAFETY IN THE HANDLING OF
FIREARMS, AND IN SO DOING, IT MAY COOPERATE WITH [[LOCAL

SUBDIVISIONS OF GOVERNMENT]] ANY POLITICAL SUBDIVISION.

OR WITH ANY REPUTABLE ORGANIZATION HAVING AS ONE OF ITS
OBJECTIVES THE PROMOTION OF COMPETENCY AND SAFETY IN THE
HANDLING OF FIREARMS, SUCH AS THE NATIONAL RIFLE
ASSOCIATION AND LOCAL ROD AND GUN CLUBS.

(2) THE DEPARTMENT MAY CONDUCT THE COURSE IN
HUNTER SAFETY AND ISSUE SUCH CERTIFICATES, USING
DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL OR OTHER PERSONS AT TIMES AND IN
AREAS WHERE OTHER COMPETENT AGENCIES ARE UNABLE OR
UNWILLING TO MEET THE DEMAND FOR INSTRUCTION.

(3)    ANY SIMILAR CERTIFICATE, OR HUNTING
LICENSE, ISSUED OUTSIDE THE STATE BY A GOVERNMENTAL
AGENCY, SHALL BE ACCEPTED AS COMPLYING WITH THE
REQUIREMENTS OF SUBSECTION (1) ABOVE, IF THE PRIVILEGES
ARE RECIPROCAL FOR MARYLAND RESIDENTS.

(D)    RULES AND REGULATIONS.

THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ADOPT PULES AND REGULATIONS      TO

[[IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION.]] PROVIDE    FOR

THE COURSE OF INSTRUCTION AND THE ISSUANCE OF THE

CERTIFICATES.