House Bill 298

(As Passed the House)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 45-3-51, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ALLOW A BENEFICIARY OF AN OFFICER OF THE HIGHWAY PATROL OR BUREAU OF NARCOTICS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY TO RETAIN THE FIREARM OF SUCH OFFICER OR AGENT; TO AUTHORIZE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO RETAIN A SIDEARM UPON RETIREMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 45-3-51, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

45-3-51. Each member of the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol or agent of the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics who retires under the Highway Safety Patrol Retirement System or the Public Employees' Retirement System, for superannuation or for reason of disability or a beneficiary of such member of the Highway Safety Patrol or agent of the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics who is killed in the line of duty shall be allowed to retain, as his personal property, one (1) sidearm which was issued under authority of Section 45-3-19 or 41-29-159. Likewise, a beneficiary of any law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty shall be allowed to retain the officer's sidearm.

SECTION 2. Each person employed as a law enforcement officer by the Mississippi Department of Transportation who retires for superannuation or for reason of disability under the Public Employees' Retirement System shall be allowed to retain as his personal property, one (1) sidearm which was issued to such law enforcement officer.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.