An Act relative to the definition of law enforcement officers as pertaining to possession of firearms

HD 4138 amends Massachusetts firearm laws to clarify exceptions for law enforcement officers regarding firearm possession. It updates definitions to explicitly include "qualified law enforcement officers" (as defined by federal law under 18 U.S.C. §§ 926B-926C) and "qualified retired law enforcement officers," alongside existing Massachusetts definitions under MGL Chapter 6E. The bill ensures these exceptions apply to both active and retired officers, and clarifies that security guards employed in prohibited areas during work hours are also covered. These changes affect law enforcement personnel and security professionals, removing ambiguity in existing statutes while maintaining local authority to impose additional firearm restrictions in municipal or county-controlled areas.