(a) No employee of a licensee shall carry or use a firearm unless the employee has in his or her possession both of the following:
(1) A valid guard registration card issued pursuant to this chapter.
(2) A valid firearm qualification card issued pursuant to this chapter.
(b) Paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) shall not apply to a duly appointed peace officer, as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code, who meets all of the following:
(1) He or she has successfully completed a course of study in the use of firearms.
(2) He or she is authorized to carry a concealed firearm in the course and scope of his or her employment pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 25450) of Chapter 2 of Division 5 of Title 4 of Part 6 of the Penal Code.
(3) He or she has proof that he or she has applied to the bureau for a firearms qualification card.
(c) (1) This section shall not apply to a duly appointed peace officer, as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code, who has written approval from his or her primary employer, as defined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (i) of Section 7583.9, to carry a firearm while working as a security guard or security officer.
(2) A peace officer exempt under this subdivision shall carry on his or her person a letter of approval from his or her primary employer authorizing him or her to carry a firearm while working as a security guard or security officer.