Retiring Officers Fight To Keep Weapons

Sacramento, CA– A lobbying group in California says it will pursue legislation next year that would allow police officers to keep assault weapons after they retire.

The Associated Press reports that the Peace Officers Research Association of California, which represents rank-and-file personnel, is reacting to an opinion issued last year by the state attorney general’s office. It states that officers must turn in their weapons when they leave law enforcement work.

Peace officers are allowed to own assault weapons, even for off-duty use, that are illegal for the general public to buy.

Over 7,600 officers have bought such firearms since the California began allowing the practice 10 years ago.

The association’s president, Ron Cottingham says that the attorney general’s opinion punishes retiring officers who bought their own weapons while they were employed.