Board adopts administrative regulations tightening weapons training and armory controls

The Board of State Prison Commissioners voted Dec. 19 to adopt two administrative regulations updating weapons training and armory rules after a Legislative Counsel Bureau audit of use of force.

Director James Zarenda summarized the changes to AR 3‑62 (weapons training qualification) and AR 4‑12 (armories and weapons control). The revisions require a certified firearms instructor to be present whenever staff practice on the range, clarify which staff may be assigned to armed posts and prohibit personal weapons from being stored in department armories. The rules also narrow the list of armory‑authorized items, move storage out of control centers into designated armories with formal inventory, and add a committee review process for authorizing new munitions so facilities follow statewide standards.

Attorney General Ford moved to take both administrative regulations together; the board voice‑voted and the motion passed. Board members said the changes were largely driven by LCB audit recommendations and were intended to standardize statewide practice and improve safety and accountability.

The board did not amend the regulations on the floor and recorded the vote as a voice approval.