Chapter 3 – Personnel, Training, and Employee Relations

32010.20.8 Use of Department Firearm Ranges by Off‑Duty Personnel

• The department shall allow access to its ranges for the qualification of off-duty firearms to those peace officers designated by Penal Code (PCPenal Code) section 830.5(c).  The conditions stipulated in these rules shall apply when utilizing a department firing range. 

  • These qualification requirements are voluntary and shall occur only during a person’s off-duty hours. It is the responsibility of the individual, not the program, to maintain their eligibility and to comply with CCRCalifornia Code of Regulations, Title 15 section 3412 Department Authorization of Off-Duty Concealed Firearms.

• Range Availability
  A minimum of two days per month, each facility shall schedule range sessions for employees listed in DOMDepartment Operations Manual section 32010.20.8 to qualify with their off-duty concealed firearm(s). Cancellation of scheduled sessions may occur because of inclement weather conditions or lack of participants. In the event a session is cancelled, the facility does not have to schedule a make-up session and all fees paid by the participants for that cancelled session shall be returned to them.

• Cost to Participant
  Participants are required to pay a fee to use departmental ranges, except when the off duty firearm is also the approved duty firearm. Exact cost shall be determined by the current Bargaining Unit Agreement.

• Access to the Range 
  Each facility shall prepare a “Guide to Off-Duty Firearm Qualification” which shall be made available to persons desiring utilization of the range.  This guide shall include, but is not limited to, the following: 

  • Contact person or position and telephone number for information concerning the program. 

  • Types and color of clothing prohibited if the range is on prison property. 

  • To whom fees shall be paid and when. 

  • Procedures for transporting firearm and ammunition to the range if the range is on prison property. 

  • The specific procedures as to how an eligible person shall participate in and, if necessary, schedule an off-duty firearm qualification session. 

  • Participants shall have in their possession at the time of entry to a facility/range of CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation a valid employee identification card from their department which indicates the employee’s peace officer status, or a written designation by the employee’s hiring authority, or designee, which authorizes that employee to carry a concealed off-duty firearm. 

• Authorized Off-Duty Concealed Firearms and Ammunition

  • Only concealable handguns that meet the requirements in CCRCalifornia Code of Regulations, Title 15 section 3412, shall be used.

  • Only ammunition that meets the requirements of CCRCalifornia Code of Regulations, Title 15 section 3412, shall be used. PCPenal Code 830.5 peace officers are subject to additional limitations imposed by Bargaining Unit Agreement.

    • All ammunition for qualification attempts must be provided by the participant. Only factory-loaded or factory-reloaded hollow points, full metal jacket or wadcutter ammunition shall be utilized on departmental ranges.

  • Prior to use, all firearms and ammunition shall be inspected by the Rangemaster or TFI. Any weapon or ammunition deemed unacceptable or unsafe shall be removed from the range and not used. Each participant shall provide their own off-duty strong side hip holster for qualifications.

• Qualification Requirements

  • Minimally, the approved off-duty 36 round handgun course, as specified in DOMDepartment Operations Manual section 32010.20.5.3, shall be used. Alternatively, and only upon request by the participant, the departmental 45 round course as specified in DOMDepartment Operations Manual section 32010.20.5.2, may be utilized for off-duty firearm qualifications. 

  • There shall be no classroom session. 

  • On an annual basis, participants shall sign a CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Form 1798, Annual Acknowledgement Receipt of PCs Related to Possession and Use of Off-Duty Firearms, acknowledging that they have read and understood all applicable PCPenal Code sections relating to possession or use of off-duty firearms by off-duty staff.

  • In addition, participants shall acknowledge in writing that the handgun they are using has not been modified and that it meets manufacturer’s specifications (exception: handgrips and sights).

  • In addition, participants shall acknowledge in writing that the handgun they are using is in compliance with CCRCalifornia Code of Regulations, Title 15 section 3412.

• Recordkeeping

  • The facility shall maintain a copy of the participant’s official score sheet for six months. If the participant fails to qualify, the reason shall be documented on the score sheet. It is the participant’s responsibility to maintain current qualification.

  • The participant upon attaining a passing score shall be provided a CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Form 1803, Off-Duty Firearm Quarterly Qualification Certification (Rev. 03/21) that documents the quarterly qualification. Participants that qualify with authorized off-duty firearms at non-departmental ranges are required to provide a completed copy of their CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Form 1803 to their respective TC as soon as practical.

• Off-Duty Concealable Firearm Disqualifying Factors

  • The employee’s hiring authority or designee may deny, suspend, or revoke for good cause a person’s right to carry an off-duty concealable firearm.

  • It is the responsibility of the individual to maintain their eligibility to carry an off-duty firearm.

  • Carrying a firearm off-duty without maintaining the quarterly qualification and eligibility requirements outlined in CCRCalifornia Code of Regulations, Title 15 section 3412 shall constitute good cause to suspend or revoke that person’s right to carry firearms off-duty.

• Appeal of Suspension or Revocation of Authorization to Carry Off-Duty Firearms
  Employees may appeal a suspension, revocation, or denial to carry an off-duty concealed firearm in accordance with CCRCalifornia Code of Regulations, Title 15 section 3412 (e)(4). Employees are prohibited from carrying an off-duty concealed firearm during the appeal period.

• Adverse Personnel Action
  Pursuant to PCPenal Code sections 830.5 and 25400, carrying a concealed loaded firearm without maintaining the quarterly qualification is prosecutable and the employee may be subject to adverse personnel action at the discretion of the hiring authority or designee.