The Director of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control may employ attorneys, who shall be unclassified employees of the state, or contract with attorneys, as needed. These attorneys may advise the Director, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control Commission and Bureau personnel on all legal matters and shall appear for and represent the Director, the Commission and Bureau personnel in all administrative hearings and all litigation or other proceedings which may arise in the discharge of their duties. At the request of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control Commission, such attorney shall assist the district attorney in prosecuting charges of violators of the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Act or any felony relating to or arising from a violation of the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Act. Attorneys for the Bureau who have been certified by the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training to carry a weapon or have been issued a handgun license pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act¹ shall be allowed to carry weapons pursuant to paragraph 3 of subsection A of Section 1272 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes. These attorneys, pursuant to this provision, shall not be considered eligible to participate in the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System. If a conflict of interest would be created by such attorney representing the Director, the Commission or Bureau personnel, additional counsel may be hired upon approval of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control Commission.