Peace officers: fire departments.

Existing law establishes which persons are included and excluded within the definition of peace officers. Existing law provides that specified fire department, fire protection agency, and military personnel are peace officers, and may carry firearms if authorized and under terms and conditions specified by their employing agency. Existing law authorizes specified state and local departments and agencies to purchase assault weapons. This bill would provide that members of a fire department or fire protection agency who are designated by their employing agency with a responsibility for investigating or preventing terrorism are peace officers and may carry firearms if authorized and under terms and conditions specified by their employing agency. The bill would also authorize fire departments and fire protection agencies to buy assault weapons or .50 BMG rifles.