Dear Representatives,
I am writing on behalf of the members of the Fraternal Order of Police to ask all of you to once again cosponsor H.R. 1210, the “LEOSA Reform Act.” This bipartisan piece of legislation was reintroduced by Representative Donald J. Bacon (R-NE) along with original cosponsors Representatives John H. Rutherford (R-FL), Peter A. Stauber (RMN), and Henry Cuellar (D-TX). All of you cosponsored H.R. 1156, an identical bill in the 116th Congress. We hope that you will support this legislation again.
This bill amends the “Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act,” which exempts qualified active and retired law enforcement officers from local and State prohibitions on the carriage of concealed firearms, to ensure that these officers are able to carry in the same venues as civilian concealed carry permit holders such as schools, national parks, and “common” areas like public transportation and public areas. The bill 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 up to 36 months.
To be clear, this piece of legislation would not increase the number of officers who carry firearms under the LEOSA statute. It would simply close existing loopholes and make sure our law enforcement officers are physically safe and protected from inadvertently putting themselves in legal jeopardy. It would also harmonize current State and Federal laws.
On behalf of the more than 356,000 members of the Fraternal Order of Police, I thank you for considering the FOP’s request to cosponsor H.R. 1210. If I can provide any additional information about this bill, please do not hesitate to contact me or Executive Director Jim Pasco in our Washington, D.C. office.
Sincerely,
Patrick Yoes
National President