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House Bill 3370 |
House Author: Craddick |
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Effective: 9-1-13 |
Senate Sponsor: Patrick |
House Bill 3370 amends the Government Code to authorize a person who served as a reserve law enforcement officer not less than 15 years with one or more state or local law enforcement agencies to apply for a concealed handgun license at any time by submitting to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) fingerprints and a sworn statement from the head of the agency at which the applicant last served as such an officer. The bill prohibits the agency head from refusing to issue the statement, requires DPS to investigate the validity of a statement the applicant alleges is untrue, and sets out the required contents of the statement. The bill provides for DPS issuance of a concealed handgun license to the applicant on payment of a $25 fee, provides for license expiration, and requires the license holder to maintain weapons proficiency, which must be reported to DPS on application and renewal.
House Bill 3370 amends the Occupations Code to authorize the head of a state or local law enforcement agency to allow a person who is such a former reserve officer to demonstrate weapons proficiency if the person provides a sworn affidavit stating that the person meets certain eligibility requirements and to require the agency head to issue a proficiency certificate on satisfactory demonstration and issue to the person on request identification that indicates the person's status and includes the person's photograph. The bill authorizes the head of such an agency to allow an honorably retired peace officer to demonstrate weapons proficiency by providing a sworn affidavit stating that the officer separated from employment with a state or local law enforcement agency before completing 15 years of service as a commissioned officer with one or more such agencies and is a qualified retired law enforcement officer as defined by federal law. The bill amends the Penal Code to include a qualified retired law enforcement officer and a former reserve law enforcement officer who has served in that capacity not less than 15 years with one or more state or local law enforcement agencies in the peace officer exemption from the offenses of unlawful carrying of a weapon and possessing or going with a weapon in a place where weapons are prohibited.