Title 36Patriotic and National ObservancesRelease 119-73

§40723 Eligibility for participation

Title 36 › Subtitle Subtitle II— - Patriotic and National Organizations › Part Part B— - Organizations › Chapter CHAPTER 407— - CORPORATION FOR THE PROMOTION OF RIFLE PRACTICE AND FIREARMS SAFETY › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER II— - CIVILIAN MARKSMANSHIP PROGRAM › § 40723

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Before taking part in any activity the corporation runs or supports, a person must sign a sworn statement saying they have not been convicted of a felony, have not been convicted under section 922 of title 18, and are not a member of any group that supports trying to overthrow the United States Government by force. The Director of Civilian Marksmanship can ask law enforcement to check those convictions. Anyone convicted of a felony or of violating section 922 of title 18 cannot participate. The Director can also limit who joins to protect people, keep firearms, ammunition, and equipment secure, and to make sure firearms training is good.

Full Legal Text

Title 36, §40723

Patriotic and National Observances — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)(1)An individual shall certify by affidavit, before participating in an activity sponsored or supported by the corporation, that the individual—
(A)has not been convicted of a felony;
(B)has not been convicted of a violation of section 922 of title 18; and
(C)is not a member of an organization that advocates the violent overthrow of the United States Government.
(2)The Director of Civilian Marksmanship may require an individual to provide certification from law enforcement agencies to verify that the individual has not been convicted of a felony or a violation of section 922 of title 18.
(b)An individual may not participate in an activity sponsored or supported by the corporation if the individual—
(1)has been convicted of a felony; or
(2)has been convicted of a violation of section 922 of title 18.
(c)The Director may limit participation in the program as necessary to ensure—
(1)the safety of participants;
(2)the security of firearms, ammunition, and equipment; and
(3)the quality of instruction in the use of firearms.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 40723(a)36:5503(a).Feb. 10, 1996, Pub. L. 104–106, title XVI, § 1613, 110 Stat. 517. 40723(b)36:5503(b). 40723(c)36:5503(c). In subsection (a)(1), the words “shall certify” are substituted for “shall be required to certify”, and the word “felony” is substituted for “Federal or State felony”, to eliminate unnecessary words. In subsection (a)(2), the words “provide certification” are substituted for “attach to the person’s affidavit a certification”, and the words “law

Enforcement

agencies” are substituted for “appropriate State or Federal law

Enforcement

agency”, to eliminate unnecessary words. In subsection (b), the words “may not participate” are substituted for “shall not be eligible to participate” to eliminate unnecessary words. The words “through the Civilian Marksmanship Program” are omitted as unnecessary. The word “felony” is substituted for “Federal or State felony” to eliminate unnecessary words. In subsection (c)(3), the words “the quality of instruction” are substituted for “quality instruction” for consistency in the subsection.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

36 U.S.C. § 40723

Title 36Patriotic and National Observances

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73