(A) For purposes of this section:

(1) "Identification card" is a photographic identification card complying with 18 U.S.C. § 926C.

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(2) "Qualified retired law enforcement officer" shall have the same meaning as in 18 U.S.C. § 926C.

(B) An agency or department within this State may comply with 18 U.S.C. § 926C, by issuing an identification card to any qualified retired law enforcement officer. If the agency or department currently issues credentials to active law enforcement officers, the agency or department may comply with the requirements of this section by issuing the same credentials to qualified retired law enforcement officers. If the same credentials are issued, then the agency or department must stamp the credentials with the word "RETIRED".

(C)(1) Subject to the limitations of subsection (E), a qualified retired law enforcement officer may carry a concealed weapon in this State if the qualified retired law enforcement officer possesses an identification card along with a certification that the qualified retired law enforcement officer has, not less recently than one year before the date the individual is carrying the firearm, met the standards established by the agency for training and qualification for active law enforcement officers to carry a firearm of the same type as the concealed firearm.

(2) The firearms certification required by this subsection may be reflected on the identification card or may be in a separate document carried with the identification card.

(D) The restrictions contained in §§ 23-31-220 and 23-31-225 are applicable to a person carrying a concealed weapon pursuant to this section.

(E) The agency or department must provide the qualified retired law enforcement officer with the opportunity to qualify to carry a firearm under the same standards for training and qualification for active law enforcement officers to carry firearms. However, the agency or department, as provided in 18 U.S.C. § 926C, may require the qualified retired law enforcement officer to pay the actual expenses of the training and qualification.