GENERAL ORDERS LINCOLN POLICE DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: ORGANIZATION & ADMINISTRATION
TITLE: RETIREE CONCEALED FIREARMS
EFFECTIVE DATE: AUGUST 1, 2025
REVISION DATE:
ACCREDITATION: ALABAMA ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE (AACOP)
APPROVAL: CHIEF SCOTT BONNER
RETIREE CONCEALED FIREARMS
207.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for the issuance, denial, suspension or revocation of Lincoln Police Department identification cards to qualified former or retired law enforcement officers under the Law Enforcement Officers’ Safety Act (LEOSA) and Alabama law (18 USC § 926C; Ala. Code § 36-21-9).
207.2 POLICY
It is the policy of the Lincoln Police Department to provide identification cards to qualified former or retired officers to facilitate the lawful carrying of concealed weapons by those individuals.
207.3 LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER SAFETY ACT
The Chief of Police may issue an identification card for LEOSA purposes to any qualified former officer of this department who (18 USC § 926C(c)):
(a) Separated from service in good standing from this department as an officer.
(b) Before such separation, had regular employment as a law enforcement officer for an aggregate of 10 years or more or, if employed as a law enforcement officer for less than 10 years, separated from service after completing any applicable probationary period due to a service-connected disability as determined by this department.
(c) Has not been disqualified for reasons related to mental health.
(d) Has not entered into an agreement with this department where the officer acknowledges that he/she is not qualified to receive a firearms qualification certificate for reasons related to mental health.
(e) Is not prohibited by federal law from receiving or possessing a firearm.
207.3.1 LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER SAFETY CARD FORMAT
The LEOSA identification card should contain a photograph of the former officer and identify him/her as having been employed as an officer.
If the Lincoln Police Department qualifies the former officer, the LEOSA identification card or separate certification should indicate the date the former officer was tested or otherwise found by the Department to meet the active-duty standards for qualification to carry a firearm.
207.3.2 AUTHORIZATION
Any qualified former law enforcement officer, including a former officer of this department, may carry a concealed firearm under 18 USC § 926C when he/she is:
(a) In possession of photographic identification that identifies him/her as having been employed as a law enforcement officer, and one of the following:
1. An indication from the person’s former law enforcement agency that he/she has, within the past year, been tested or otherwise found by the law enforcement agency to meet agency-established active-duty standards for qualification in firearms training to carry a firearm of the same type as the concealed firearm.
2. A certification, issued by either the state in which the person resides or by a certified firearms instructor who is qualified to conduct a firearms qualification test for active-duty law enforcement officers within that state, indicating that the person has, within the past year, been tested or otherwise found to meet the standards established by the state or, if not applicable, the standards of any agency in that state.
(b) Not under the influence of alcohol or another intoxicating or hallucinatory drug or substance.
(c) Not prohibited by federal law from receiving a firearm.
(d) Not in a location prohibited by Alabama law or by a private person or entity on his/her property if such prohibition is permitted by Alabama law.
207.4 FORMER OFFICER RESPONSIBILITIES
A former officer with a card issued under this policy shall immediately notify the Watch Commander of his/her arrest or conviction in any jurisdiction, or that he/she is the subject of a court order, in accordance with the Reporting of Arrests, Convictions and Court Orders Policy (Ala. Code § 36-21-9).
207.4.1 RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER LEOSA
In order to obtain or retain a LEOSA identification card, the former officer shall:
(a) Sign a waiver of liability of the Department for all acts taken related to carrying a concealed firearm, acknowledging both his/her personal responsibility as a private person for all acts taken when carrying a concealed firearm as permitted by LEOSA and also that these acts were not taken as an employee or former employee of the Department.
(b) Remain subject to all applicable department policies and federal, state and local laws.
(c) Demonstrate good judgment and character commensurate with carrying a loaded and concealed firearm.
(d) Successfully pass an annual criminal history background check indicating that he/she is not prohibited by law from receiving or possessing a firearm.
207.4.2 RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER ALABAMA LAW
In order to retain an authorization card to carry a concealed handgun issued under Alabama law, the retired officer shall (Ala. Code § 36-21-9):
(a) Have retired in good standing.
(b) Remain subject to all applicable department policies and federal, state and local laws.
(c) Maintain good character.
207.5 AUTHORIZATION CARD
The Sheriff in the officer's county of residence shall, upon application, issue an authorization card for concealed carry of a handgun to a retired law enforcement officer (Ala. Code § 36-21-9):
(a) An honorably retired law enforcement officer whose retirement was not based on any pending disciplinary or legal action shall be eligible to obtain a card authorizing her/him to carry a concealed handgun.
207.5.1 AUTHORIZATION
Qualified former officers with an authorization card issued by the Sheriff under state law may carry concealed, within this state, any firearm inspected and approved by the Department. The card does not itself authorize a retiree to carry a concealed firearm outside this state. The former officer must also meet state and LEOSA requirements (Ala. Code § 36-21-9).
207.6 DENIAL, SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION
A LEOSA identification card may be denied or revoked upon a showing of good cause as determined by the Chief of Police. In the event that an identification card is denied, suspended or revoked, the former officer may request a review by the Chief of Police. The decision of the Chief of Police is final.
207.6.1 REVOCATION OF AN ALABAMA AUTHORIZATION CARD
An Alabama Authorization Card for concealed carry of a handgun for any officer retired from this department may be denied or revoked only upon a showing of good cause (Ala. Code § 36-21-9):
(a) Upon revocation of any Alabama Authorization Card, the Sheriff shall provide the affected retiree with the reasons for revocation in writing by registered mail.
(b) The retiree shall return the authorization card to the Sheriff within 30 days.
(c) Failure to return the authorization card, while continuing to carry a concealed handgun, may result in criminal charges.
207.7 FIREARM QUALIFICATIONS
The Firearms Instructor may provide former officers from this department an opportunity to qualify. Written evidence of the qualification and the weapons used will be provided and will contain the date of the qualification. The Firearms Instructor will maintain a record of the qualifications and weapons used.
These policies and operating procedures are not designed to cover every possible scenario or situation in society, but rather to define standard operating procedures for members of the Lincoln Police Department. These guidelines are subject to past, present and future judicial review. These guidelines can be amended and or repealed by the Chief of Police as necessary. The policies and procedures herein provided supersede all previous policies and orders.