Legislation to expand the list of retired law enforcement officers who are eligible to receive a permit to carry a handgun is now law after it was signed by Governor Chris Christie. The bill was sponsored by Senator Gerald Cardinale (R-Bergen, Passaic).

“We as a state have been stepping on people’s right to protect themselves for too long,” Senator Cardinale said. “These officers have already displayed the capability of carrying a firearm in the line of duty. Once they retire, this will give them the ability to keep protecting the public from acts of violence.”

The legislation, S-1944, makes more law enforcement officers – like state park police, state transit police, campus police and others – eligible to obtain handgun carry permits once they retire. Under current law, certain retired law enforcement officers can apply for an annual permit until they turn 75.

The expanded list would also include special agents of the Division of Taxation, Human Services police officers, state conservation officers, full-time officers of the Burlington County Bridge Commission police, housing authority officers, juvenile corrections officers, parole officers, railway policemen and Palisades Interstate Park police officers.

“These individuals have spent their careers protecting our citizens,” Senator Cardinale said. “Let’s give them the chance to continue that after they retire.”