Section 1240.530  Firearm Control Cards

a)         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 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 a proprietary security force in accordance with Section 1240.400.

b)         Upon verification by the Division that the individual 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 employee.  If the 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 employee has requalified on the firing range within one year preceding the request.

c)         The firearm control card shall be retained by the employee for the term of employment.  Upon termination of employment, the card shall be returned to the Division by the employer.  In the event an employee fails to return a firearm control card to the employer, the employer shall notify the Division in writing of the failure and the reason why the card was not returned.

d)         No employee may carry a firearm until the requirements of this Section have been satisfied.

e)         If an 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 employee must possess a separate firearm control card for each agency.

f)         Individuals employed 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.

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 his or her 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; or

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 his or her employment during the hours and times the employee is scheduled to work or is commuting between his or her home or place of employment, provided that commuting is accomplished within one hour from departure from home or place of employment and 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 his or her official duties within the course and scope of his or her employment during the hours and times the employee is scheduled to work or is commuting between his or her home or place of employment, provided that commuting is accomplished within one hour from departure from home or place of employment and the individual is not providing fingerprinting services.

(Source:  Amended at 36 Ill. Reg. 9938, effective July 13, 2012)