NCJ Number
230776
Date Published
February 2010
Length
34 pages
Annotation
This report by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services presents the findings and recommendations of a long-term needs assessment for the State's training/qualification firing rangers over the next 20 years.
Abstract
The needs assessment's general conclusion is that currently there are adequate handgun range facilities to meet law enforcement needs for the immediate future; however, there is a need for firearm range facilities that can provide reduced-light training for handguns, and long-gun ranges are needed. At some time over the next 20 years, there must be an increase in the handgun range capacity for law enforcement agencies, particularly in the central Maryland region. The most urgent need, however, is for firearm ranges that can be used for long-gun training. This need will be alleviated somewhat by the rifle range remediation at the Public Safety Education and Training Center (PSETC) authorized by the General Assembly's fiscal year 2010 capital appropriation. This report also presents a brief history of PSETC's firearms training facility, noting the problem with the rifle range. A summary of the current firearms training requirements for Maryland law enforcement officers is included to show the requirements that drive the need for firearm ranges. In addition, the report outlines the features that should be included in future law enforcement firearm ranges constructed in Maryland. Background information for this report was derived from a printed survey and a follow-up telephone survey of law enforcement agencies in Maryland. Data from the survey responses were compiled and analyzed. The assessment focused on the seven large agencies in the central Maryland region, since approximately 80 percent of the State's law enforcement officers use firing ranges operated or controlled by these agencies.