Retired members must meet all of the legislation's requirements to be eligible for the certification program. The requirements include:
Retired in good standing from the agency as a law enforcement officer, other than for reasons of mental instability. He or she must have had 15 years or more of active service or retired with a service connected disability. A person retiring as the result of a service connected disability must have completed his or her probationary period.
Retiree has a nonforfeitable right to benefits under the retirement plan of the agency.
During the most recent 12-month period, he or she has met, at the expense of the individual, the State's standards for the training and qualification for active law enforcement officers to carry firearms.
Retiree is not under the influence of alcohol or another intoxicating or hallucinatory drug or substance, including prescription drugs or any drug which may impair the retiree's ability to qualify at the range.
Retiree is not prohibited by Federal law to possess a firearm.
Retirees Requirements
If a retired member wishes to carry a firearm under the law and attend the certification program, he or she must begin the process by contacting the Personnel Section at 410-887-6278. The Personnel Section will also be able to provide range certification dates. You may also send email to tweinstein@baltimorecountymd.gov.
Retiree requirements include:
Submitting to a background check
Obtaining a Departmental retiree photo identification card
Completing a Range Waiver along with a Retiree Certification Form
Attending a five hour training session which includes classroom and qualification courses
Retirees who attend the certification program will be able to qualify on the type of weapon that he or she was initially trained with or converted to by the Department.
Retirees may also qualify with a weapon that is approved for off-duty use by active members. Two of the most common weapons carried by officers include:
Smith & Wesson Model 60 (Revolver - .38 Cal.)
Sig Sauer Model P239 (Semi-automatic - 9mm & .40 Cal)
Retirees are required to provide their own factory ammunition for each qualification course. At least 100 rounds of ammunition will be needed for qualification. In addition, all retirees must qualify and carry the ammunition that meets the specifications developed by the Firearms Training Team.
Individual states may prohibit the carrying of certain calibers of firearms or use of certain ammunition. It is the responsibility of the retiree to verify a state's law before carrying a weapon or ammunition in that state.
Weapons Criteria: All weapons and ammunition must meet the following specifications:
1.Caliber: Allowed caliber will be .38, .357 Magnum, 9mm, .40, .357 Sig and .45 ACP.
2. Ammunition: The make of round will be determined and posted by the Firearms Training Team with the approval of the Training Section Commander. The following ammunition specifications have been approved for off-duty carry:
9mm 115-147 Hollow Point
.40 Cal. 180 Hydra-Shok
.45 Cal. 185-230 Hollow Point
.357 SIG 125-150 Hollow Point
.38 Cal. 125-147 Hollow Point
3. Action:
Weapons will be either a revolver or a pistol.
All pistols must have an internal safety device that will block the firing pin from striking the cartridge unless the trigger is pulled.
Weapons equipped with a "striker" firing pin must operate in the double action mode where the pin is drawn back with each pull of the trigger prior to its release.
No pistol may have an external safety device except trigger blocking devices that are required by Maryland Law.
Pistols designed for double action/ single action (DA/SA) are acceptable. In the cases of DA/SA pistols, the external decocking lever can only be designed to safely lower the hammer on a loaded cartridge and NOT as a safety.
The trigger pull for any pistol must not be less than 8.00 pounds for the double action and, if applicable, 4.00 pounds for the single.
The trigger pull for a revolver must not be less than 8 pounds.
The revolver chosen must have an internal safety designed to block the hammer from striking the cartridge case unless the trigger is pulled. ( Internal hammers are acceptable)
Repairs to the weapons will be the responsibility of the owner, not the Range Staff.
Weapons MUST NOT BE MODIFIED.
When an inquiry is made from a former sworn member, he/she will be referred to the designated member in the Personnel Section.
The designated member will explain the requirements of the law (the retiree should have already received a letter of explanation).
The retiree will be mailed a questionnaire regarding personal information to determine if they are eligible to carry a handgun under this law.
The retiree will be informed about dates available at the range to qualify and will be referred to Range personnel if they have questions about weapons or ammunition.
The designated Personnel member will verify the status of the retiree upon retirement to make sure the person left in good standing. If unable to determine the status or if it is determined the person did not leave in good standing, the information will be forwarded to the Human Resources Commander for final determination.
After the completed questionnaire is returned, the designated Personnel member will review the questionnaire and cause a criminal record/wanted check to be made.
If approved, the retiree will be contacted and told the next available range date and reminded to furnish the ammunition.
After attending the classroom portion and successful qualification, range personnel will issue a card of qualification verification. Range personnel will forward the name of the qualifying retiree to the Security Desk at PSB and designated member in Personnel.
If not already issued, the retiree must report to Public Safety Building for a photo identification card.
The questionnaire, qualification, and record check will be done annually
Revised January 30, 2007
Courthouse 