NCJ Number
231854
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 37 Issue: 6 Dated: June 2010 Pages: 30,32,36
Date Published
June 2010
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article examines how proposed amendments to the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) may improve understanding of the Act enacted in 2004.
Abstract
The 2004 Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act allows two classes of individuals to carry a concealed weapon in any jurisdiction in the United States, regardless of State or local laws to the contrary. The two classes of individuals covered under this Act are qualified law enforcement officers and qualified retired law enforcement officers. Since implementation of the Act, officers have experienced problems with obtaining concealed carry certification. Proposed amendments to the Act to correct these problems regarding who is considered qualified are discussed. The proposed amendments deal with reducing the eligibility period for an officer to qualify as retired from 15 years to 5 years; eliminating the requirement that retirees have non-forfeitable retirement benefits to qualify; clarifies training requirements to ensure a retiree can meet the mandatory re-qualification standard; and creating more flexibility in training. It is also noted that several organizations are opposed to LEOSA and the proposed changes. These organizations include Mayors Against Illegal Guns, the Brady Campaign, the Police Executive Research Forum, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police, which opposes only the proposed amendments.