CA AB2549

Requires written employer authorization for peace officers to possess assault weapons or .50 BMG rifles to explicitly state the weapons are "for law enforcement purposes, whether on or off duty."

Limits peace officers purchasing assault weapons or .50 BMG rifles on or after January 1, 2013 to one weapon, prohibiting purchase of another unless they relinquish and transfer registration of the original weapon.

Requires honorably retired peace officers who lawfully purchased and registered assault weapons or .50 BMG rifles to notify the Department of Justice within 90 days of retirement, including documentation from their former agency confirming honorable retirement status.

Exempts honorably retired officers who retired before January 1, 2013 from surrendering their weapons if they notify the Department of Justice by April 1, 2013.

Directs the Department of Justice to develop a "change of status" form for retired officers and allows the department to charge a reasonable fee for processing these notifications.