For Immediate Release: February 13, 2006

House approves firearms certificates for retired law enforcement officers

Olympia - The House unanimously approved a measure that would allow qualified retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed fierearms interstate when they travel.

Rep. Tom Campbell (R-Roy) sponsored House Bill 2951 at the request of retired officers who say Washington needs to be in compliance with federal law.

Campbell said the ability for retired law enforcement officers to have a license to carry concealed firearms could be significant in a criminal situation where a qualified retired law enforcement officer comes across a criminal situation to provide assistance to police officers.

"The Criminal Justice Training Commission would set the standards for qualification," Campbell said. "Local law enforcement agencies will develop a firearms certificate form for issuing firearms certificates to retired law enforcement officers."

The commission already deals with firearm qualifications for other groups, including security guards, private investigators and bail recovery agents.

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For more information, contact Rep. Tom Campbell @ (360) 786-7912