(a) Training requirements upon initial application.

1. (1)

   1. (A) A person shall, prior to submitting an initial application for a concealed handgun carry license, successfully complete a Division of Arkansas State Police-approved firearm safety training program.
   2. (B) The training must be conducted and attested to by a registered firearms safety instructor as defined in this part.
   3. (C) The program shall consist of a minimum of five (5) hours of instruction on the following topics:

(i) Administrative matters, including the application process and explanation of criteria for passing the course;

1. (ii) Avoiding victimization;

   1. (iii) Laws regarding use of a handgun;

      1. (iv) Arkansas concealed handgun carry licensing laws and rules;
      2. (v) Encounters with law enforcement;
      3. (vi) Inspection of the handgun;
      4. (vii) Types of handguns;
      5. (viii) Ammunition;
      6. (ix) Cleaning and storage of a handgun;
      7. (x) Carrying concealed; and
      8. (xi) Classroom preparation for range instruction.
2. (2) The required training for an initial license may be completed at any time within six (6) months prior to the division’s receipt of a properly completed application packet.
3. (3) The applicant must successfully demonstrate proficiency with the use of a handgun on the firing range by live fire.
4. (4) An instructor may not provide his or her own training certification for his or her own Arkansas concealed handgun carry license initial application.
5. (5) A valid, current firearm safety training instructor registration issued by the division may be substituted as the training requirement for an initial concealed handgun carry license.

(b) Training requirements upon renewal of license.

1. (1)

   1. (A) The required training as established by the division for renewal shall be completed at any time within six (6) months prior to the expiration of the license until six (6) months after expiration.
   2. (B) Timely renewal is determined by the division’s receipt date of the completed renewal application packet.

2. (2)

   1. (A) The applicant must successfully demonstrate proficiency with the use of a handgun on the firing range by live fire.
   2. (B) Renewal training may also address updates and changes in the concealed handgun carry licensing laws and rules.
3. (3) An applicant who desires to obtain an enhanced license upon renewal may substitute an enhanced training certificate for the renewal training requirement.

4. (4)

   1. (A) An instructor may not provide his or her own training certification for his or her own Arkansas concealed handgun carry license renewal application.

   2. (B) However, the instructor may substitute his or her valid, current firearms safety training instruction registration issued by the division for the renewal training requirement.

      1. (c) Substitution of live fire training. An active duty member of, or person who has recently been honorably discharged from, the United States Armed Forces, the National Guard, or a reserve component of the United States Armed Forces may substitute the following documentation, in a properly completed application packet, in place of the live fire training requirement:
5. (1) A letter dated and personally signed by a commanding officer or his or her designee stating that the applicant is of good character and sound judgment;
6. (2) A form, as designated by the division, showing that the applicant has met the military qualification requirements for issuance and operation of a handgun within one (1) year of the application date;
7. (3) A copy of the face or photograph side of a current uniformed services of the United States military identification card, if the applicant is a member of the United States Armed Forces; and

8. (4) A copy of the active duty orders, if the applicant is on active duty.

   1. (d) Training requirements for enhanced license.

9. (1)

   1. (A) The program shall consist of approximately eight (8) hours instruction:

      1. (i) Five (5) to six (6) hours in class; and
      2. (ii) A maximum two (2) hours of range qualification.
   2. (B) The division may provide instructors with an example Syllabus for Enhanced Training to be used as a guide for its instruction.

   3. (C) The following topics must be covered in detail as part of the in-class instruction for enhanced training:

      1. (i) Arkansas Code §§ 5-73-101 – 5-73-325 and all significant changes to these chapters as they occur;
      2. (ii) The terms of an enhanced license, including the rights and responsibilities of an enhanced license holder and all locations where the carry of concealed firearms remains prohibited;
      3. (iii) Self-defense under Arkansas law, the use of deadly physical force, the subchapter of Arkansas Code on justification (Arkansas Code § 5-2-601 et seq.), and the potential criminal penalties that may be imposed when the use of deadly physical force is not justified;
      4. (iv) Techniques for weapon retention;
      5. (v) General civil liability for personal injury or property damage resulting from use of a firearm;
      6. (vi) Emergent situations in public locations, including the proper response to law enforcement and the duty to avoid injury to innocent bystanders;
      7. (vii) Issues related to campus carry, to include, but not be limited to:

(b) (b) Distinction between possession of a firearm, which is permissible, and storage, which is not permissible; and

1. (c) (c) Requirement to carry concealed and potential penalties for violation;

   1. (viii) Other considerations for expanded carry, to include, but not be limited to:

(b) (b) Possible ramifications of alcohol use while in possession of a firearm; and

1. (c) (c) Identification as an enhanced license holder in contact with law enforcement.

   1. (D) The division may provide instructors with an example Syllabus for Enhanced Training to be used as a guide for its instruction.

2. (2)

   1. (A) A new applicant for a concealed handgun carry license or a current licensee may apply to the division to receive an enhanced license.
   2. (B) The enhanced training must be conducted and attested to by a registered firearms safety training instructor as defined in this part.

   3. (C) To qualify for the enhanced license:

      1. (i) A new applicant must successfully complete the division-approved initial training requirements for licensure in subsection (a) of this section and the division-approved enhanced firearm safety training program; and
      2. (ii) A current licensee must successfully complete the division-approved enhanced firearm safety training program.
3. (3) The required training for an enhanced license may be completed at any time within six (6) months prior to the division’s receipt of an application for an enhanced license, but such enhanced training is not required to be renewed.

4. (4)

   1. (A) The applicant must complete a live-fire proficiency qualification and obtain a score of thirty-five (35) out of fifty (50) or seventy percent (70%) overall.
   2. (B) The instructor may permit the applicant to fire the course three (3) times.
   3. (C) If the applicant fails to obtain the required score after three (3) attempts at shooting the course, the instructor must wait ninety (90) days prior to allowing the applicant to attempt completion of the live fire proficiency qualification again.

   4. (D) The fundamentals of the live fire course are as follows:

      1. (i) Stage 1. Three-yard line, twenty (20) rounds:

(b) (b) Ten (10) shots fired in a two-shot exercise, three (3) seconds allowed for each two-shot sequence; and

1. (c) (c) Five (5) shots fired in ten (10) seconds;

   1. (ii) Stage 2. Seven-yard line, twenty (20) rounds:

(b) (b) Five (5) shots fired in two (2) stages:

1. (1) (1) Two (2) shots fired in four (4) seconds; and

2. (2) (2) Three (3) shots fired in six (6) seconds;

   1. (c) (c) Five (5) shots fired in a one-shot exercise, three (3) seconds allowed for each shot; and

      1. (d) (d) Five (5) shots fired in fifteen (15) seconds;
      2. (iii) Stage 3. Fifteen-yard line, ten (10) rounds:

(a) (a) Five (5) shots fired in two (2) stages:

1. (1) (1) Two (2) shots fired in six (6) seconds; and
2. (2) (2) Three (3) shots fired in nine (9) seconds; and

(b) (b) Five (5) shots fired in fifteen (15) seconds;

1. (iv) All shooting is from the ready position; and

   1. (v)

(b) (b) The shooter will be scored “hit” or “miss”.

1. (c) (c) A successful hit will be scored if the round fired cuts the line of the seven (7) ring or is within the seven (7) ring of the B-27 target.

2. (5)

   1. (A) An instructor may not provide his or her own training certification for his or her own enhanced license.
   2. (B) However, the instructor may substitute his or her valid, current enhanced training registration issued by the division for the enhanced training requirement.

(e) Waiver.

1. (1)

   1. (A) A current licensee or new applicant may qualify for a waiver of a portion of the approximately eight-hour enhanced training course based on completion of the Arkansas basic concealed handgun carry training within the ten (10) years prior to application for an enhanced license.
   2. (B) Documentation demonstrating the completion of the prior training must be submitted to the division.

2. (2) The waiver may be applied in one (1) of the following ways:

   1. (A)

      1. (i) A current licensee must complete an abbreviated course of enhanced training instruction of approximately four (4) hours of instruction and complete the live-fire proficiency qualification in subdivision (d)(4) of this section.
      2. (ii) All topics set forth in subdivision (d)(1) of this section must be covered in the abbreviated course for the licensee to qualify for an enhanced license; or

   2. (B)

      1. (i) A new applicant must complete a combined basic firearm safety training program and enhanced training of approximately eight (8) hours of instruction and complete the live fire proficiency qualification in subdivision (d)(4) of this section.
      2. (ii) All topics set forth in both subdivision (a)(1) of this section and subdivision (d)(1) of this section must be covered in the combined course for the new applicant to qualify for an enhanced license.