HB499.html

To amend Code Section 16-11-129 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to licenses to carry a pistol or revolver and temporary renewal permit, so as to provide that a person serving as a law enforcement officer may obtain such a license without paying a fee; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Code Section 16-11-129 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to licenses to carry a pistol or revolver and temporary renewal permit, is amended by striking in its entirety subsection (h) and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
"(h) Licenses for former law enforcement officers. Except as otherwise provided in Code Section 16-11-130, any person who is currently serving as a law enforcement officer or who has served as a law enforcement officer for at least ten of the 12 years immediately preceding the retirement of such person as a law enforcement officer shall be entitled to be issued a license as provided for in this Code section without the payment of any of the fees provided for in this Code section. Such person must comply with all the other provisions of this Code section relative to the issuance of such licenses. Nothing in this subsection shall limit the authority of any law enforcement officer to carry a weapon as otherwise provided by law. As used in this subsection, the term 'law enforcement officer' means any peace officer who is employed by the United States government or by the State of Georgia or any political subdivision thereof and who is required by the terms of his or her employment, whether by election or appointment, to give his or her full time to the preservation of public order or the protection of life and property or the prevention of crime. Such term shall include conservation rangers."