Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. FRY. 3091.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. FRY. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Chair, I rise to call on my colleagues to support H.R. 3091, the Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act.

This week is National Police Week, and I applaud the majority's dedication to supporting and celebrating our Nation's law enforcement officers who risk their lives every single day to keep us safe.

This bill is just one legislative commitment we are taking to support our brave men and women in blue. This legislation would allow current Federal law enforcement officers in good standing to purchase a retired service weapon at market value from a Federal agency.

Current Federal regulations require all Federal agencies, such as the U.S. Secret Service or U.S. Customs and Border Protection, to destroy weapons after they have been retired from Federal use. That means that these retired firearms must be crushed, cut, broken, or deformed to ensure that they are rendered completely inoperable and cannot be used again.

According to the Fraternal Order of Police, multiple law enforcement agencies are currently in the process of replacing their service weapons.

This means that 20,000 firearms would be destroyed, an $8 million cost to the taxpayers. Taxpayers are paying for those weapons twice-- when they go into circulation and when they are retired.

Not only does this legislation have the potential to save millions of dollars in waste, but it would offset the cost of purchasing new weapons and fund other agency expenses.

I thank the cosponsors of the bill and strongly urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 3091.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. FRY. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Van Drew).

Mr. VAN DREW. Mr. Chairman, I rise today during National Police Week in strong support of the Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act.

This bill, which I was proud to help move through the Judiciary Committee, is a practical measure and a declaration of our unwavering support for the Nation's law enforcement officers. They are the bedrock of our communities, and they ensure peace, order, and safety.

By allowing Federal officers the opportunity to purchase retired service weapons, we can save taxpayer dollars and ensure officers have firearms with which they are the most comfortable.

This bill and others like it this week present a clear question: Will we stand up for our police or will we stand idly by as unwarranted and inappropriate criticism continues to be thrown their way?

I know what my answer is. I stand with our police.

I extend my gratitude to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Fry), my colleague and good friend, for introducing this bill. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting in favor of this bill.

Let's send an unmistakable message to our law enforcement officers across this Nation: We see you. We appreciate you. We stand by you. I particularly thank my friends and individuals in law enforcement that I've known so well over so many years in the great State of New Jersey for the work that they do. I am proud of them. I am proud of what they represent, and I am thankful for their sacrifice.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. FRY. Mr. Chairman, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. FRY. Mr. Chairman, I am proud that this legislation passed favorably out of the Judiciary Committee last week and already has a considerable number of cosponsors.

As we celebrate, honor, and remember our men and women in uniform during National Police Week, I am proud to bring this legislation to the House floor for a vote that will allow Federal law enforcement officers to purchase retired service weapons and prevent wasteful spending.

Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. FRY. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition to this amendment.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. FRY. Mr. Chair, good standing is already universally understood by all Federal agencies. If an officer has been suspended, they surrender their badge and gun and do not have law enforcement authorities.

This is not a new concept. In fact, the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act, signed into law 19 years ago, requires a finding of good standing by the agencies in order for retired officers to be eligible to carry a concealed weapon.

By requiring an agency to adopt standards to determine good standing for the purposes of this bill, her amendment would establish a double standard where a law enforcement officer could be in good standing for the purposes of their job, but the agency considers them not to be in good standing for the purposes of purchasing a retired service weapon. This potential two-track system is ripe for abuse.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. FRY. Mr. Chair, I will just reiterate what we previously discussed.

I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source