HB 5973 Summary

• Changes concealed pistol license validity periods: licenses issued between July 1, 2003 and July 1, 2006 remain valid for 5 years; new initial licenses issued after July 1, 2006 are valid until the applicant's date of birth falling 4-5 years after issuance.

• Allows renewal applications to be submitted up to 6 months before license expiration, with the concealed weapon licensing board required to approve or deny within 60 days.

• Extends expired licenses by 180 days if the licensing board fails to issue or deny a renewal within 60 days, provided the applicant paid the renewal fee and submitted proof of a requested background check.

• Waives firearms safety training requirements for retired police officers and retired law enforcement officers; reduces training requirements for license renewals to 3 hours of training review and 1 hour of firing range time in the 6 months preceding renewal.

• Eliminates fingerprint retaking requirements for license renewals beginning January 1, 2007, if the Department of State Police maintains fingerprints in its automated fingerprint identification system (AFIS) database for ongoing comparison.

• Repeals the requirement for a separate purchase permit (Section 2a of the 1927 Act) and adjusts provisions regarding pistol registration and safety pamphlet distribution.