(a)    Subject to subsection (c) of this section, the Secretary shall issue a permit within a reasonable time to a person who the Secretary finds:

(1)    is an adult;

(2)    (i)    has not been convicted of a felony or of a misdemeanor for which a sentence of imprisonment for more than 1 year has been imposed; or

(ii)    if convicted of a crime described in item (i) of this item, has been pardoned or has been granted relief under 18 U.S.C. § 925(c);

(3)    has not been convicted of a crime involving the possession, use, or distribution of a controlled dangerous substance;

(4)    is not presently an alcoholic, addict, or habitual user of a controlled dangerous substance unless the habitual use of the controlled dangerous substance is under legitimate medical direction;

(5)    except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, has successfully completed prior to application and each renewal, a firearms training course approved by the Secretary that includes:

(i)    1.    for an initial application, a minimum of 16 hours of instruction by a qualified handgun instructor; or

2.    for a renewal application, 8 hours of instruction by a qualified handgun instructor;

(ii)    classroom instruction on:

1.    State firearm law;

2.    home firearm safety; and

3.    handgun mechanisms and operation; and

(iii)    a firearms qualification component that demonstrates the applicant’s proficiency and use of the firearm; and

(6)    based on an investigation:

(i)    has not exhibited a propensity for violence or instability that may reasonably render the person’s possession of a handgun a danger to the person or to another; and

(ii)    has good and substantial reason to wear, carry, or transport a handgun, such as a finding that the permit is necessary as a reasonable precaution against apprehended danger.

(b)    An applicant for a permit is not required to complete a certified firearms training course under subsection (a) of this section if the applicant:

(1)    is a law enforcement officer or a person who is retired in good standing from service with a law enforcement agency of the United States, the State, or any local law enforcement agency in the State;

(2)    is a member, retired member, or honorably discharged member of the armed forces of the United States or the National Guard;

(3)    is a qualified handgun instructor; or

(4)    has completed a firearms training course approved by the Secretary.

(c)    An applicant under the age of 30 years is qualified only if the Secretary finds that the applicant has not been:

(1)    committed to a detention, training, or correctional institution for juveniles for longer than 1 year after an adjudication of delinquency by a juvenile court; or

(2)    adjudicated delinquent by a juvenile court for:

(i)    an act that would be a crime of violence if committed by an adult;

(ii)    an act that would be a felony in this State if committed by an adult; or

(iii)    an act that would be a misdemeanor in this State that carries a statutory penalty of more than 2 years if committed by an adult.

(d)    The Secretary may issue a handgun qualification license, without an additional application or fee, to a person who:

(1)    meets the requirements for issuance of a permit under this section; and

(2)    does not have a handgun qualification license issued under § 5–117.1 of this title.