Bill > S3135

Introduced Session

This bill allows honorably discharged veterans of the United States Armed Forces or National Guard with 20 or more years of service to carry a handgun at all times in this State. Under current law, certain retired law enforcement officers may annually apply for a permit to carry a handgun, until those officers reach age 75, at which time they are no longer eligible. The permit allows a retired law enforcement officer to carry a handgun at all times. This bill extends the right to carry a handgun to honorably discharged veterans with 20 or more years of service provided the veteran is not otherwise disqualified from owning a firearm under current law. As is the case with a retired law enforcement officer, a veteran would be required to semi-annually qualify in the use of the handgun. The bill requires that prior to issuing a carry permit the Superintendent of State Police is to obtain a verification of service from a representative of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs certifying the veteran's length of service and the date on which the veteran was honorably discharged. The sponsor believes that men and women who have honorably served this country, for a period of at least 20 years, and are trained in the use of firearms should be permitted to carry a handgun at all times in this State for their own personal protection and for the safety of the community.

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Anthony Bucco (R)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee (on 05/08/2017)