In 2007 the North Carolina General Assembly enacted legislation allowing the NC Criminal Justice Education Standards Commission to “establish standards and guidelines for the annual firearms certification of qualified retired law enforcement officers.” This action was a result of the passage by the US Congress of the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004 (known as H.R. 218) which allows for qualified and trained active law enforcement officers and retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed weapons nationwide. Following a lengthy process, the program for qualification of retired officers has now been developed and Carolinas First Defense is now offering this specialized class to all retired law enforcement officers who reside in North Carolina.