Officer's Nationwide win 12-year Fight
(July 21, 2004)

VICTORY for Law Enforcement Officers Nationwide       

        On Thursday, July 22, 2004, President George Bush signed into law the 'Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004' which grants current and retired law enforcement officers the right to carry a concealed firearm anywhere in the United States of America. 

        The idea was first introduced into legislation in 1992.  The initial bill was sponsored by the Law Enforcement Alliance of America (L.E.A.A.) and Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-San Diego).  Initial support for the bill was very low; however, the events of September 11, 2001 changed the momentum of the legislation.  The Law Enforcement Alliance and Congressman Cunningham did not give up.  After recruiting law enforcement officers and agencies nationwide to contact their elected officials, the stroke of a pen made the 12-year quest a reality.

        The legislation, H.R. 218, states that an individual who is a qualified law enforcement officer and who is carrying their department photo identification may carry a concealed firearm that is transported interstate.  The Bill continues to provide that retired officers of any law enforcement agency are extended the same right to carry a concealed firearm transported interstate, however the retired officer must have a retired photo identification from their agency, AND they must possess a certification issued by the State in which the retired officer resides that indicates that the individual has, within the last year, been tested or otherwise found by the State to meet the standards established by the State for training and qualification for active law enforcement officers to carry a firearm of the same type as the concealed firearm.

        Prior to this legislation, there was no exception for law enforcement officers to be exempt from each state's concealed carry laws.  Many states forbid the carrying of concealed weapons entirely.  Members of the traveling public should take great comfort in knowing that there will be tens of thousands of additional dedicated and highly trained public servants that are armed and ready to assist with a life threatening situation while traveling interstate in the United States of America.  Special thanks to the Law Enforcement Alliance, Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-San Diego), and President George Bush for making this 12-year battle for common sense a victory for the nation's law enforcement officers - and the traveling public.

Click here to read the complete text of H.R. 218

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