RACINE - As a police officer, 15th District Alderman Robert Mozol carried a gun for 28 years.

But since he retired about three years, ago Mozol had to put it away . Racine does not have a program to annually certify retired officers to carry concealed weapons.

Racine Police Chief Kurt Wahlen is working with Mozol to change that to match a federal law.

The proposed city program would allow retired police officers to pay $100 a year to become certified to carry concealed weapons. It would also set up an account for payment through the city.

That $100 would include the cost of ammunition and training.

"These cops carried guns for 20 to 30 years and never got in trouble with it," Wahlen said. "Why should I prevent them from going armed if they choose to?"

Federal law HR-218, the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004, made it legal for retired officers to carry firearms if annually certified. But it did not require local agencies to set up a certification program or a funding mechanism.

That is what the Racine Police Department officials are asking the City Council's permission to do.

"We are asking City Council to bless this federal law," said Racine Police Lt. Jim Dobbs, who drafted the city proposal.

The state Assembly proposed a bill earlier this year that would have created a process for issuing certification for retired officers. But the bill died in committee.

The Racine County Sheriff's Department has had a similar program for two years, said Sheriff's Lt. Dan Klatt. About 25 retired officers have become certified to carry weapons through the program.

"As long as they are qualified, I would be glad to have them out there with their background," Klatt said.

Mozol asked if he could go through the Sheriff Department's program, but was told he should work with the Police Department, he said.

He wants to continue carrying a gun for the safety of himself and others.

"There is truly no place in this world where you can be 110 percent safe," Mozol said. Primarily he is concerned about random acts of crime. But he is also partly concerned that criminals could seek retribution against law enforcement officers.

The proposal is going before the Finance and Personnel Committee and Public Safety and Licensing Committee today. Both meetings are at 5 p.m. in City Hall, 730 Washington Ave. The Finance and Personnel Committee meets in room 301, and the Public Safety and Licensing Committee meets in room 205.

If approved, the proposal must then go through a public hearing and get the final OK from the City Council.