Santa Clara County sheriff draws legal fire for way she hands out concealed-gun permits

[Old Codger]

22. I thought

That ex-police officers, retired or just moving out of law enforcement were automatic in all states.... Seems like I read somewhere that was a federal license, have to look it up later today...
(on edit)
Found something on it

Passed in 2004, the federal law exempts officers from state gun laws, which means Wisconsin's law that allows only peace officers to carry concealed weapons. But the federal act sensibly imposes several restrictions.

First, officers must have accumulated at least 15 years of service, which should weed out unstable and irresponsible personalities.

Second, they must train annually to ensure they remain proficient in the use of firearms, and this is done at their expense.

Third, the federal law does not override restrictions which private property owners can apply, nor does it allow these retired officers to carry firearms in public buildings where possession is already prohibited.

Local officers wishing to carry firearms must acknowledge that they have no arrest powers and assume all responsibility for what they may do, just like any other private citizen. They will shoot less often than working officers - once a year instead of quarterly. Their training will be more general, and the police chief will have the authority to refuse any applicant.

Read more: http://www.journaltimes.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_297d24fb-31fd-5680-a395-a8073560503b.html#ixzz1gL3UozIX