Peace officers: firearms.

(1) Existing law defines "honorably retired" for purposes of certain provisions of law involving the carrying of concealed weapons as a peace officer who has qualified for, and has accepted, a service or disability retirement. This bill would instead define "honorably retired" for these purposes as a peace officer who has met his or her department's years of service requirement, and has accepted a separation of service or disability retirement. (2) Existing law requires a retired peace officer who was authorized to, and did, carry a firearm during the course and scope of employment as a peace officer to have an endorsement on his or her identification certificate stating that the issuing agency approves of the officer's carrying of a concealed and loaded firearm. This bill would provide that these provisions also apply to retired level I reserve officers, as specified, who have served at least 10 years in the aggregate, as specified, as a level I reserve peace officer. (3) Various provisions of existing law state that the ban on the carrying of concealed weapons does not apply to honorably retired peace officers who were authorized to carry firearms during the course and scope of their employment as peace officers. This bill would state that the exemption applies to honorably retired peace officers who were authorized to carry firearms during the course and scope of their appointment as peace officers.