HARRISBURG, June 7, 2006 - Legislation that would help Pennsylvania soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan won unanimous endorsement today from the state Senate, according to the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Michael J. Stack.

“Some of our National Guard and reserve soldiers are employed as police officers and security guards, and these jobs have an assortment of requirements,” said Stack (D-Philadelphia). “One of these requirements is special training and certification to use a firearm. This legislation is designed to make it easier for returning soldiers to have this certification renewed, if it has expired while serving our country overseas.”

Senate Bill 1200 would provide members of the National Guard and U.S. Armed Forces with a 90-day extension if they hold a permit to carry a firearm for employment, also known as an Act 235 or Lethal Weapons Training Act certification. Security guards, bodyguards, and private detectives are all required to hold a valid Act 235 license. Act 235 licenses are currently valid for five years. The process of obtaining a new license is much more involved, compared with having a license renewed.

The extension would be granted if the service member was deployed overseas and the permit expired during that time. Service members would be required to present a copy of their military orders and license as proof of their ability to carry a firearm during the extension period.

The bill now heads to the House. Stack sponsored a similar piece of legislation, Senate Bill 866, which would grant an extension on concealed-carry permits to recently returned soldiers. This bill is also awaiting House consideration.

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