HB 417 Summary

• Changes concealed firearm licensing from discretionary ("may grant") to mandatory ("shall grant") for applicants meeting specified criteria, removing the "exceptional case" requirement.

• Establishes objective licensing standards requiring applicants to be qualified in safe firearm use, of good moral character, not prohibited under section 134-7, and not adjudged insane or mentally deranged.

• Extends license validity from one year to five years, with automatic revocation if licensee becomes ineligible under section 134-7.

• Prohibits concealed firearms in specific locations including police stations, detention facilities, courthouses, schools, colleges, sporting events, alcohol-serving establishments, polling places, legislative areas, airports, and military bases; permits justices and judges to carry concealed firearms for personal protection.

• Increases licensing fees from $10 to $150 for new licenses and establishes $85 renewal fee, with $40 of each fee transferred to the domestic violence and sexual assault special fund.