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Senate approves measure letting retired officers keep service firearm; some cost questions raised
Summary
Senate Bill 462, a request from the Moore police chief, allows retired Oklahoma law enforcement officers to obtain their service weapons under consistent state statutes. The bill passed 44-1 after questions about inventory replacement costs and who bears them.
The Oklahoma Senate passed Senate Bill 462, a bill requested by the Moore police chief that aligns statutes to allow retired officers to obtain their service firearm.
Senator Weaver presented the bill and said it would make statutes consistent across categories of law enforcement about retired officers keeping their issued weapon. "When you carry your weapon for many years, it's a sacred piece of equipment," Weaver said, describing the policy change as a small token of appreciation for long service.
Senator Goodwin questioned whether giving away retired service weapons would require departments to purchase replacement firearms and, if so, what the cost would be. Weaver estimated a service weapon might cost about $500 to $600, saying that municipalities "understand the value" of allowing retirees to keep their issued weapon and typically accept replacement costs.
The Senate recorded a final-passage vote of 44 ayes and 1 nay on third reading. The bill includes references to existing statutory provisions governing retired state and county law enforcement and was described as harmonizing those references under existing law.
Floor discussion focused on inventory and cost implications; senators did not provide a statewide estimate of annual retirements. The bill moves forward to the next stage of the legislative process.
