§36-21-9. Eligibility of honorably retired law enforcement officers to carry handguns; authorization card; revocation of authorization; penalty for refusal to comply with revocation.

(a) Any honorably retired law enforcement officer whose retirement was not based on any pending disciplinary or legal action shall be eligible to obtain without charge a card authorizing the retired officer to legally carry a handgun about or on his person. Such card shall be issued permanently by the sheriff of the county in which the retired law enforcement officer resides upon application by any eligible retired law enforcement officer.

(b) In the event the retiree having such a card of authorization is suspected of or is charged with any crime or his character becomes so degenerated that he becomes known as one who is of bad character, then said retiree's authorization for the carrying of a handgun shall be revoked by the sheriff of the county in which the retired officer resides. The sheriff shall notify the retiree in writing and by registered mail that his authorization is revoked. The sheriff shall state the reasons for the revocation and order the retiree to turn his authorization card in to that sheriff within 30 days. Should the retiree refuse to return the card within the said 30-day limit and continue to carry the handgun, he will be guilty of carrying a weapon without a license or carrying a concealed weapon, whichever might be the case.

(Acts 1982, No. 82-495, p. 823, §§1, 2; Acts 1988, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 88-881, p. 427, § 1.)