SB 619

Current law generally prohibits an individual from carrying a concealed

weapon unless the individual has either a license to carry a concealed weapon that

is issued by the Department of Justice or a law enforcement identification card

indicating that he or she is a qualified current or former law enforcement officer. This

bill eliminates the general prohibition against going armed with a concealed weapon

without regard to whether the individual has such a license or card.

The bill maintains the option to have a license to carry a concealed weapon or

a law enforcement identification card so that licensees or card holders may carry a

concealed firearm in other states that require licensure and so that they do not

violate federal law when possessing a firearm in a school zone. The federal gun-free

school zone law generally prohibits the possession of a firearm in a school zone but

exempts an individual who is licensed to possess a firearm by the state in which the

school zone is located if the license involves a background check on the individual.

The bill does not change the current state gun-free school zone law that allows a

licensee to carry a firearm in a school zone anywhere but on school grounds and

allows a person who has a law enforcement identification card to carry anywhere in

a school zone.

The bill eliminates the general prohibition against carrying a firearm in certain

buildings, such as a police station, a house of correction, or a secure mental health

facility, but allows the appropriate entity to post the buildings against carrying a

firearm. A person who violates the posting is guilty of criminal trespass. The bill

eliminates the general prohibition against carrying a firearm in a tavern, but

prohibits a person from consuming alcohol if carrying a firearm in a tavern. The

tavern owner may post the tavern against carrying a firearm, and a person who

violates the posting is guilty of criminal trespass. The bill also eliminates a

prohibition on loading a firearm in a vehicle; under current law, the only exception

to this prohibition is for a handgun. The bill expressly prohibits a local government

from prohibiting persons from carrying a firearm or knife on a vehicle that is part

of a mass public transportation system.

This bill also eliminates the prohibitions against carrying a firearm, bow, or

crossbow in a wildlife refuge and eliminates the prohibitions against carrying a

firearm, bow, or crossbow while engaging in certain activities, such as operating an

all-terrain vehicle. In addition, current law prohibits an individual from shining

wildlife while the individual is hunting or possessing a firearm, bow and arrow, or

crossbow. This bill maintains that the individual may not shine wildlife while

hunting but eliminates the prohibition on shining while possessing a firearm, bow

and arrow, or crossbow.