Section 1240.530  Firearm Control Cards

a)         Except as otherwise provided in this Section, each employer shall make a request to the Division, on forms supplied by the Division, for the issuance of a firearm control card for each licensee or employee whose duties include the use, carrying or possession of a firearm.  Each employee shall have an active permanent employee registration card issued in accordance with Section 1240.520 prior to applying for a firearm control card unless employed by an armed proprietary security force in accordance with Section 1240.400.

b)         Upon verification by the Division that the individual licensees or employees have completed the required firearm training course within the 2 years preceding the request for a firearm control card, and meet all the requirements of the Act for issuance of a firearm control card, the Division shall issue a card to the employer for each licensee or employee.  If the licensee's or employee's firearm training was completed more than 2 years before the request for a firearm control card, the employer shall submit evidence that the licensee or employee has completed refresher training as required by Section 1240.410 within one year preceding the request.

c)         The firearm control card or retired police card shall be retained by the licensee or employee for the term of employment.  Upon termination of employment, the card and any copies shall be returned to the employer, and the employer shall terminate the firearm control card or retired police card in the Division's online system.

d)         No licensee or employee of a licensee may carry a firearm while engaged in the performance of official duties until the requirements of this Section have been satisfied. A licensee or employee who has been issued a license to carry a concealed firearm under the Firearm Concealed Carry Act [430 ILCS 66] is not exempt from compliance with the requirements of this Section. An armed licensee or employee shall be in possession of a valid firearm control card or otherwise be in compliance with this Section at all times that the employee is engaged in employment related duties.

e)         If a licensee or employee is employed by more than one agency, regardless of whether the agencies are owned or operated by the same person or different persons, that licensee or employee must possess a separate firearm control card or retired police card for each agency.

f)         Individuals employed by this State, a political subdivision of this State, or a federal agency as peace officers, as defined in Section 5-10 of the Act, who are in good standing are not required to obtain firearm control cards.  If the individual ceases to be employed as a peace officer, then the individual is required to obtain a firearm control card in accordance with this Section, unless the individual obtains a permanent employee registration card under Section 1240.520, possesses a valid Firearm Owner's Identification card, and is in compliance with the federal Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004 (18 U.S.C. 926B and 926C).  If the former peace officer will be carrying a firearm under these latter conditions, the agency employing the individual shall submit notice to the Division by filing an application, on forms provided by the Division, with the fee required under Section 1240.570.  After receipt of this application, the Division will issue a retired police card. The former peace officer may begin performing employment related duties after the agency submits this required application to the Division and while the former peace officer's retired police card is awaiting issuance.  The retired peace officer shall be in possession of a valid retired police card or otherwise be in compliance with this Section at all times that the retired peace officer is engaged in employment related duties.  The retired police card may be renewed upon submission of a renewal application and a renewal fee of $25.

g)         A person licensed as a fingerprint vendor or any employee of a licensed fingerprint vendor agency may not possess or carry a firearm in the course of providing fingerprinting services.  This subsection shall not apply to an active duty sworn peace officer acting within the scope of the officer's duties.

h)         The Division shall not grant or authorize the issuance of a firearm control card to a fingerprint vendor or any employee of a licensed fingerprint vendor agency unless:

1)         the individual is licensed as a private detective, private alarm contractor or private security contractor;

2)         the individual is employed by a private detective agency, private alarm contractor agency or private security agency licensed under the Act who carries a weapon while engaged in the performance of his or her official duties providing detective, private security contracting or alarm contractor services within the course and scope of  employment during the hours and times the employee is scheduled to work or is commuting between  home or place of employment, provided that the individual is not providing fingerprinting services while possessing or carrying a firearm; or

3)         the person is employed by an armed proprietary security force registered under this Act who carries a weapon while engaged in the performance of  official duties within the course and scope of  employment during the hours and times the employee is scheduled to work or is commuting between  home or place of employment, provided that the individual is not providing fingerprinting services.

A)        The firearm control card shall authorize the holder to carry one or more of the following weapons: revolver, semi-automatic handgun, rifle or shotgun.  The firearm control card shall specify which of these weapons the holder is authorized to carry.  Any holder of a firearm control card may carry a stun or taser, tear gas gun projector, or billy club or similar device.

B)        Any firearm requalification required under the Act or this Part shall be certified by a registered firearm instructor, the licensee-in-charge of the agency employing the firearm control card holder, or, for a member of an armed proprietary security force, its security director.

(Source:  Amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 16228, effective September 6, 2022)