§ 21-1290.15. Persons exempt from training course.

PERSONS EXEMPT FROM TRAINING COURSE

A.  The following individuals may be exempt from all or part of the required training and qualification course established pursuant to the provisions of Section 1290.14 of this title:

1.  A firearms instructor registered with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation for purposes of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act;

2.  An active duty law enforcement officer of this state or any of its political subdivisions or of the federal government;

3.  A retired law enforcement officer authorized by this state pursuant to Section 1289.8 of this title to carry a firearm;

4.  A CLEET-certified armed security officer, armed guard, correctional officer, or any other person having a CLEET certification to carry a firearm in the course of their employment;

5.  A person on active military duty, National Guard duty or regular military reserve duty who is a legal resident of this state and who is trained and qualified in the use of handguns;

6.  A person honorably discharged from active military duty, National Guard duty or military reserves within twenty (20) years preceding the date of the application for a handgun license pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act, who is a legal resident of this state, and who has been trained and qualified in the use of handguns;

7.  A person retired as a peace officer in good standing from a law enforcement agency located in another state, who is a legal resident of this state, and who has received training equivalent to the training required for CLEET certification in this state; and

8.  Any person who is otherwise deemed qualified for a training exemption by CLEET.

Provided, however, persons applying for an exemption pursuant to paragraph 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 of this subsection may be required to successfully complete the classroom portion of the training course.  The fee for the classroom portion of the training course shall be determined by the instructor or entity that is conducting the course.

B.  The Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) shall establish criteria for providing proof of an exemption.  Before any person shall be considered exempt from all or part of the required training and qualification pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act, the person shall present the required proof of exemption to a registered firearms instructor.  Each person determined to be exempt from training or qualification as provided in this subsection shall receive an exemption certificate from the registered firearms instructor.  The rules promulgated by CLEET to implement the provisions of this section and Section 1290.14 of this title may require that a fee not to exceed Five Dollars ($5.00) be charged for processing an exemption certificate.  The original exemption certificate must be submitted with an application for a handgun license as provided in paragraph 2 of Section 1290.12 of this title.  No person who is determined to be exempt from training or qualification may carry a concealed or unconcealed firearm pursuant to the authority of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act until issued a valid handgun license.

C.  Nothing contained in any provision of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act shall be construed to alter, amend, or modify the authority of any active duty law enforcement officer, or any person certified by the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training to carry a pistol during the course of their employment, to carry any pistol in any manner authorized by law or authorized by the employing agency.

Added by Laws 1995, c. 272, § 15, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.  Amended by Laws 1996, c. 191, § 17, emerg. eff. May 16, 1996; Laws 1999, c. 415, § 4, eff. July 1, 1999; Laws 2012, c. 259, § 35, eff. Nov. 1, 2012; Laws 2013, c. 86, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2013.