PennsylvaniaPennsylvania proposal would require some officers to train with firearms
Police officers employed by agencies in certain Pennsylvania counties would have to complete firearms training four times a year and go on leave if they fail to finish.
What it does
Covered officers would have to complete firearms training at least four times each year. The courses must be led by an instructor authorized by the commission.
The instructor and agency chief would have to keep each covered officer's training record, including rounds fired, scores, and firearms used.
An agency would have to place a covered officer on leave for failing to complete required training and keep the officer on leave until training is finished.
Argument forRegular practice and recorded scores could help officers and agencies track firearms skills and identify training needs.
Argument againstOfficers who miss training could be placed on leave until they finish, which may leave their agencies with fewer officers available for duty.
More detail
Officers must attend and complete firearms training at least four times each year. This applies to police officers employed by a law enforcement agency in a second-class A county with 565,000 to 600,000 residents, based on the 2020 census. The courses must be led by an instructor authorized by the commission. The proposal says it would take effect immediately.
The instructor and agency chief must keep a record of each officer's training. The record covers training completed under this section and includes the officer's primary duty weapon qualification to maintain certification. Records must include the number of rounds fired, scores, and firearms used. The record must be documented in the commission's training and certification system within 30 days after each calendar year ends.
An agency must place an officer on administrative leave if the officer fails to complete required training. This applies to an officer covered by the section's definition. The officer remains on leave until the required training is completed.
Where do you stand?
Choose your position
Tell your reps
Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.
Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Oct 13Referred to Law & JusticeLatest
- Oct 6Third consideration and final passagePassed House
- Vote recorded FINAL PASSAGE. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Committee vote (Appropriations): Re-report Bill As Committed. Result: pass.Lower
- Oct 6Re-reported as committedMinor
- Oct 5Re-committed to AppropriationsMinor
- Vote recorded MOTION TO TABLE. Result: pass.Lower
- Oct 5Second considerationMinor
- Sep 30Removed from table
- 2025
- Oct 27Laid on the table
- Oct 27First considerationMinor
- Oct 27Reported as amendedMajor
- Oct 15
- Vote recorded Committee vote (Judiciary): Reported As Amended. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Committee vote (Judiciary): Adopt Amendment A01901. Result: pass.Lower
- Jun 16Referred to JudiciaryIntroduced
Public Safety