Dear Representatives Lawler and Dean,
I am writing on behalf of the members of the Fraternal Order of Police to advise you of our support for H.R. 7040, which would extend the Undetectable Firearms Act of 1988 for an additional 10 years before its expiration on 8 March 2024.
The UFA was first passed in 1988 and has been reauthorized three times, most recently in 2013. The law prohibits the manufacture, importation, sale, shipment, delivery, possession, transfer, or receipt of any firearms that cannot be detected by walk-through metal detectors or that have a major component that is not accurately shown on x-ray machines commonly used in airports. If the UFA is not reauthorized, we risk putting the safety of the public at grave risk. Law enforcement officers across the country, at every level of government, rely on security screening devices to be able to detect firearms at large public gatherings, airports, government buildings, and for the protection of our government officials. These security measures would be rendered meaningless if firearms designed to defeat metal detectors and X-rays became available to the general public. It will be impossible for law enforcement and security forces to protect air travelers, public events, and public buildings.
We are supportive of this commonsense measure and believe strongly that the reauthorization of the Undetectable Firearms Act is vital to public safety. We urge Congress to take swift action on the passage of H.R. 7040 to ensure that our law enforcement officers can continue to properly safeguard our citizens.
On behalf of the more than 373,000 members of the Fraternal Order of Police, thank you both for your leadership on this important issue. If I can provide any additional information in support of this legislation, please do not hesitate to contact me or Executive Director Jim Pasco in our Washington, D.C. office.
Sincerely,
Patrick Yoes
National President
cc: Mike Essig, President, New York State Lodge
Joseph Regan, President, Pennsylvania State Lodge