Firearms: Private Patrol Operators: registration and assignment.

Existing law generally regulates the ownership and transfer of firearms, but does not authorize business entities to own or register firearms. This bill would establish procedures allowing Private Patrol Operators to own firearms and to assign those firearms to employees of the Private Patrol Operator (PPO) who are licensed security guards. The bill would state findings and declarations of the Legislature, and expresses the intent of the Legislature in connection with these procedures. The bill would direct the Department of Justice to modify and create forms, and charge reasonable fees for the filing and processing of those forms for these purposes and for enforcement of these provisions, including to allow the PPO to be listed as the purchaser and legal owner of a firearm, for a security guard who is assigned that firearm to be listed as the registered owner, as specified, and for a firearm custodian to be designated by the PPO. The bill would provide that an assignment for these purposes would not constitute a loan, sale, or transfer of a firearm. The bill would require the security guard receiving a firearm by assignment from a PPO to undergo a background check and to possess a handgun safety certificate, as specified. The bill would require security guards, upon request by the PPO, for any reason, or upon separation of employment or revocation of the security guard's firearm qualification card, to immediately return the firearm to the PPO. The bill would make other conforming changes.