(a) A licensee, qualified manager of a licensee, or security guard who, in the course of his or her employment, may be required to carry a firearm shall, prior to carrying a firearm, do both of the following:
(1) Complete a course of training in the carrying and use of firearms.
(2) Receive a firearms qualification card or be otherwise qualified to carry a firearm as provided in Section 7583.12.
(b) A licensee shall not permit an employee to carry or use a loaded or unloaded firearm, whether or not it is serviceable or operative, unless the employee possesses a valid and current firearms qualification card issued by the bureau or is so otherwise qualified to carry a firearm as provided in Section 7583.12.
(c) A pocket card issued by the bureau pursuant to Section 7582.13 may also serve as a firearms qualification card if so indicated on the face of the card.
(d) Paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) shall not apply to a peace officer as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code, who has successfully completed a course of study in the use of firearms.
(e) This section shall become operative on January 1, 1998.