Panel advances bill to make concealed-carry training standards organization-neutral

A subcommittee moved HB916 forward after testimony supporting a change to the statutory list of approved concealed-carry training providers. Sponsor Delegate Lopez said the bill would remove specific organizational names from the code and instead require any course that teaches responsible firearms use, state law and safe storage to qualify.

Supporters included Giffords (David Mills), Lori Haas and Christine Payne, who said removing named private organizations preserves access to approved training if an organization ceases operations or changes curricula. No members of the public in the in-room committee opposed the bill during the presentation period; some opposition appeared online and in later comment but did not prevent the panel from reporting the bill.

The clerk announced in the record, “HB 9 16 reports on a vote of 6 to 3.” The measure will move forward for further consideration in the legislative process.

What’s next: The subcommittee reported HB916 by recorded vote and the bill will proceed to the next legislative stage.