Washington, DC - Patrick Yoes, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police, applauded the news that Representatives Donald J. Bacon (R-NE) and Henry Cuellar (D-TX) reintroduced the “LEOSA Reform Act” in the House.

The Law Enforcement Officers’ Safety Act (LEOSA), enacted 20 years ago, exempts qualified active and retired officers from local and State prohibitions on the carrying of concealed firearms, allowing them to protect themselves and others even if off duty or after their service,” Yoes said. “The LEOSA Reform Act doesn’t increase the number of officers who can carry under the statute. Instead, it makes sure our officers are physically safe and protected from legal jeopardy by closing existing loopholes and harmonizing State and Federal laws.”

The bill amends the LEOSA, which exempts qualified active and retired law enforcement officers from local and State prohibitions on the carriage of concealed firearms, which ensure that these officers can carry in the same venues as civilian concealed carry permit holders such as schools, national parks, and “common carriers.” The bill also extends the exemption to magazine capacity and would allow active and retired law enforcement officers to access services in U.S. Post Offices, Social Security Administration offices, Veterans Affairs offices, or other Federal facilities without disarming or securing their firearms elsewhere. It would also allow States to affirmatively act to extend the period between training certifications for qualified retired law enforcement officers from 12 months to up to 36 months.

“In the previous Congress, this bill passed the House on a bipartisan vote,” said Yoes. “I look forward to working with our partners and repeating that success.”