An Allegheny County Democrat wants anyone applying for a concealed carry permit to have to take an NRA-approved training course.

Rep. Anthony DeLuca, D-Allegheny, has introduced House Bill 451. The bill was referred to the House Judiciary Committee earlier this week.

DeLuca said 39 states require some level of gun safety training in order for someone to get a concealed carry permit. The requirements for training differ, but, he said, most states agree that understanding how to safely use a gun should be proven before a person is allowed to carry a concealed gun in public spaces.

There is no such requirement in Pennsylvania. The commonwealth has the fourth-highest percentage of concealed firearm permits in the nation with more than 1.4 million active licenses — or about 14% of adults in the state. Current state law only requires an individual be at least 21 years of age or older to apply for a license to carry by submitting an application to the sheriff of the county in which they live along with the required fee. Upon completion of the sheriff’s investigation the permit is issued.

“Those who wish to carry a concealed firearm should have a baseline of training. A person who is unfamiliar with a live weapon in their hand can’t be expected to be competent and safe,” DeLuca wrote in his legislative memorandum. “Under my proposal, prior to being issued a license to carry a firearm concealed on or about one’s person or in a vehicle, an applicant will be required to complete a minimum of six hours of a basic firearm training program with a certified firearms instructor approved by the National Rifle Association.”

DeLuca’s bill is co-sponsored by seven fellow Democrats, but no Republican has signed on to support it.