Allowing certain emergency medical care providers to obtain a professional permit to carry weapons

This bill relates to persons eligible to obtain a professional permit to carry weapons. Current law restricts persons eligible to obtain a professional permit to carry weapons to certain individuals involved with investigation, security, valuable property transportation, corrections, and other police work if the individual’s occupation reasonably justifies the individual going armed. The bill allows an emergency medical care provider to obtain a professional permit to carry weapons if the emergency medical care provider accompanies police tactical teams into potentially high casualty situations in which a threat may still be active. Additionally, the emergency medical care provider shall train with the tactical team, complete a firearm safety training course that qualifies a peace officer to carry a firearm in the normal course of the peace officer’s duties, and not be disqualified from obtaining a professional or nonprofessional permit to carry weapons. Notwithstanding a general prohibition, the bill allows an employer of an emergency medical care provider to require an emergency medical care provider to obtain a professional permit to carry weapons as a condition of employment if the emergency medical care provider accompanies police tactical teams consistent with the bill. By operation of law, a professional permit to carry weapons will authorize an emergency medical care provider to go armed anywhere in the state only while engaged in employment and while going to and from the place of employment. An emergency medical care provider shall submit an application and undergo a criminal history background check prior to receiving a professional permit to carry weapons. A professional permit to carry weapons issued to an emergency medical care provider shall expire months after the date of issue.