Can an employee of an ACO carry or use a firearm while waiting for his/her firearm qualification card to be issued if that employee has no previous criminal convictions?

• A. Yes.
• B. No.
• C. Only if supervised.
• D. Only if in a designated area.

Answer: (B)

The key rule is that carrying or using a firearm requires a valid firearms qualification card. Even with no prior criminal convictions, that credential must be issued before an employee is authorized to carry or use a firearm. The credential represents training, competency, and regulatory authorization, and it cannot be bypassed simply because someone has a clean record or is supervised or in a restricted area. Therefore, an ACO employee waiting for the firearm qualification card cannot carry or use a firearm. No temporary allowance, supervision, or designated-area exception changes that requirement.