Yesterday afternoon, Congressman Don Bacon (NE-02) introduced H.R. 6105, the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) Reform Act with Reps. Scott Perry (PA-04) and John Rutherford (FL-04) as original cosponsors. The LEOSA Reform Act makes improvements to current concealed carry laws by easing training burdens and restrictions on carrying for current or retired law enforcement officers.

These professionals are in every community and have completed extensive and required training to properly handle a firearm. This spring, Rep. Bacon introduced H.R. 4896, the LEOSA Training Extension Act. However, after hearing from local, state, and national law enforcement officers Rep. Bacon decided to make changes and reintroduce the legislation.

The LEOSA Reform Act aims to make improvements to the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act by expanding where retired law enforcement can carry a concealed firearm, reforming qualification standards for retired officers to alleviate undue burdens for those carrying pursuant to LEOSA, and allowing carry on private and state property otherwise open to the public.

“The new and improved LEOSA Reform Act will allow our law enforcement officers who have given their lives to protect our communities, to continue doing so by extending their concealed carry privileges,” said Rep. Bacon. “With all of the recent tragic school shootings, allowing trained professionals to carry could allow them to respond more quickly to emergencies and provide years of expertise to these situations.”

“As someone who spent more than 40 years as a law enforcement officer, I understand in a special way the lifelong commitment retired officers feel toward protecting their community,” said Rep. Rutherford. “This important bill will expand upon the highly successful Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004, to allow retired law enforcement who meet stringent training standards to maintain an enhanced concealed carry license across state lines. Our retired law enforcement officers have the training and skills needed to help protect the public, and they should be empowered to do so no matter where they travel. I want to commend Congressman Bacon for his hard work on this bill and for his commitment to our retired law enforcement community.”

“The LEOSA Reform Act is a common sense adjustment that fortifies our Second Amendment protections and is a step toward restoring Constitutional Carry to law-abiding American citizens nationwide,” said Rep. Perry. “This legislation is one piece in a tapestry I’ve supported to restore our Second Amendment protections.”

Upon introduction, the Federal Law Enforcement Officer Association (FLEOA), the Association of Former Agents of the U.S. Secret Service (AFAUSSS), the FBI Agents Association (FBIAA), and the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI (SFSAF) announced their support.

"The primary duty of any law enforcement officer is to protect life. That duty doesn't end when you are off duty or retired,” said Nathan Catura, National President of Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA). “The Law Enforcement ‎Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) as originally conceived was to ensure any and all law enforcement officers could perform that sacred duty. Unfortunately, over time, vagaries in the law have impacted its effectiveness and we need to ensure all law enforcement officers are prepared to respond if duty calls. We appreciate Rep. Bacon's leadership with introducing this much needed LEOSA Reform Act and look forward to working with our vast coalition of law enforcement organizations who agree that LEOSA is important to their members and the American people."

"Our organization enthusiastically endorses the LEOSA Reform Act and we thank Congressman Bacon for introducing it with Congressman Perry and Rutherford as co-sponsors.  We have approximately 8,500 members and 120 active Chapters throughout the United States,” said Ed Burke, National President of the Society of Former Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. “Our members are keenly interested in continuing to help keep America safe and we believe this legislation will assist greatly in that endeavor.  The enactment of this proposed legislation will better allow our members and other law enforcement officers to provide additional safety for the communities where the officers and retired officers live and visit.”  

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