Law Enforcement Safety Action of 2004

On July 22, 2004, President Bush signed into law the "Law Enforcement Officer's Safety Act of 2004", also known as HR-218. Notwithstanding any other provision of the law of any State or any political subdivision thereof, this law allows full-time active duty and retired law enforcement officers who are carrying the identification required may carry concealed firearms across state lines. A requisite for retired law enforcement officers is that they must annually meet their State's standards for firearms training and qualification for active duty law enforcement officers to carry firearms.

The Nevada Legislature passed a bill into law that brings the State of Nevada in-line with the Law Enforcement Officer's Safety Act of 2004. The new legislation gives the Nevada Sheriffs' and Chiefs' Association the authority to establish procedures for the firearms training and qualification of retired law enforcement officers who reside in the state of Nevada and who elect to carry concealed firearms under the provisions of HR-218. The Nevada Sheriffs' and Chiefs' Association adopted the following criteria for this purpose.

This procedure only applies to RETIRED law enforcement officers who reside in Clark County, Nevada. They do not apply to active duty law enforcement officers. Under the provisions of HR-218 active duty officers only require photographic identification issued by the governmental agency for which they are currently employed as a law enforcement officer to lawfully carry firearms concealed within the State of Nevada and across state lines. Whereas, retired law enforcement officers require both the firearms certification and photographic identification issued by the governmental agency from which they retired.

It is important to note that this process does not provide the retired law enforcement officer with a concealed firearms permit. The ability for retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms across state lines is granted by federal law provided the retired law enforcement officer has met the provisions of HR-218. The ability for retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms within the State of Nevada is granted by state and federal law. The only responsibilities given to Nevada law enforcement agencies are to facilitate the firearms certification and to conduct the criminal background check.

Retired Officers who reside outside of Clark County, Nevada are required to obtain their firearms certification from the jurisdiction in which they reside.

PROCEDURE

• Upon request, the retiree is furnished with the HR-218 information packet. This packet can be obtained from the Concealed Weapons Detail, located at 5880 Cameron St., the Plaza Desk, located at City Hall, 400 E. Stewart St, and any Metropolitan Police Area Command Substation.
• The retiree determines if he/she meets the criteria as set forth by HR-218 for a "Qualified Retired Law Enforcement Officer".
• The retiree selects from a list of approved firearm instructors. A list of instructors are included with the information packet.
• In the presence of an instructor, demonstrates proficiency and qualifies with his firearm. (passing score is 70%).
• The instructor and retiree completes the "Retirement Qualification & Waiver Form". (Included with the information packet).
• Retiree submits the completed "Retirement Qualification & Waiver Form", the agency confirming letter, and photographic identification to the Concealed Weapons Detail. The agency confirming letter and photographic identification is photocopied and returned to the retiree.
• The agency confirming letter is from the governmental agency from which the individual retired. The letter must be on agency letter head, indorsed by an authorized representative of that agency, and should essentially state that (1) the individual retired in good standing; and that (2) prior to such retirement, was authorized by law to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, investigation, or prosecution of, or the incarceration of any person for, any violation of law, and had statutory powers of arrest; and (3) before such retirement, the retiree was regularly employed as a law enforcement officer for (indicate the years of service) or; retired from service, after completing any applicable probationary period , due to a service connected disability. It is the retiree=s responsibility to obtain this letter.
• The identification required is photographic identification issued by the agency from which the individual retired from service as a law enforcement officer.

If the retiree has satisfactorily met all requirements, a firearms certification card is issued. The card is issued for twelve (12) months and must be renewed annually to benefit from HR-218. The renewal process is the same as the initial procedure. Both the firearms certification card and the aforementioned identification must be carried whenever the retiree is in actual possession of a concealed firearm.

Retiree's will usually receive the firearms certification card within two (2) weeks after submitting the required documents.

For the locations of Metropolitan Police Area Command Substations, please click here.