Texas Occupation Code 1702.168 requires The Department adopt rules establishing qualifications for individuals required to carry firearms as an aspect of their employment duties.
Title 37 of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Part 1, Chapter 35.7 provides that a commissioned security or personal protection officer may only carry a firearm of a recognized category and for which he or she has received approved training. There are currently only three categories recognized by rule:
- semi-automatic handguns
- non-semi-automatic handguns (revolver)
- shotguns
Currently, only handgun and shotgun qualification courses are approved (37 TAC, Part 1 35.145 and 35.146).
Rifles
By Department rule rifles are not an authorized category of firearm, nor is there an approved training curriculum for commissioned security and personal protection officers to become certified.
Individuals found to be in violation of carrying a rifle in the course of their duties may be subject to administrative fines of up to $500 for the first offense, with subsequent offenses ranging in a fine of up to $1,000, suspension or potentially revocation of their license.