Leosa Reform Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. MOORE of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1227, I call up the bill (H.R. 354) to amend title 18, United States Code, to improve the Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act and provisions relating to the carrying of concealed weapons by law enforcement officers, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

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Mr. MOORE of Alabama. 354.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 354, the Law Enforcement Safety, or LEOSA, Reform Act allows qualified active and retired law enforcement officers to carry a concealed firearm in national parks, school zones, public transportation, and some Federal facilities that are open to the public.

LEOSA was initially signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2004 to exempt certain active and retired law enforcement officers from local and State prohibitions on the carrying of concealed firearms. In order to qualify under LEOSA, active law enforcement officers must meet several important requirements. For example, they must be authorized to carry a firearm by their agency.

They cannot be subject to disciplinary actions by the agency that can result in the loss of their police power.

They must meet certain firearm qualification standards. They cannot be under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating substances. They must not be prohibited by Federal law from receiving a firearm.

Retired law enforcement officers must also meet several requirements in order to qualify under LEOSA. For example, they must have separated from service in good standing and served as a law enforcement officer for an aggregate of 10 years or more. They also are required to meet certain firearm training standards and must not be prohibited by Federal law from receiving a firearm.

The LEOSA Reform Act will allow these officers to carry a concealed firearm in the same manner many citizens carry a firearm in their State.

For example, the LEOSA Reform Act will allow law enforcement officers qualified under LEOSA to carry concealed firearms in national parks, Federal facilities that are open to the public, on public transportation, in school zones, and in other areas.

The bill also reduces the frequency that qualified retired law enforcement officers are required to obtain certain qualification standards.

Many States allow State-licensed, concealed carry permit holders to carry concealed firearms in gun-free school zones and on public transportation in the State in which they are licensed. This bill affords certain law enforcement officers the same privilege.

The legislation improves public safety. Our officers face greater dangers, and current restrictions hinder their ability to carry firearms.

At a time when violent crimes continue to plague our Nation, we must support our active and retired law enforcement officers and ensure that they are able to protect themselves and others, no matter where they are in the United States.

This legislation is supported by the Fraternal Order of Police, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the National Association of Police Organizations, the Major Cities Chiefs Association, the Major County Sheriffs of America, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, and many others.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. MOORE of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I actually listed four organizations. There are 21 law enforcement agencies and organizations around the country that support this legislation.

I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Rutherford), a friend of mine and one of the best shots I know.

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Mr. MOORE of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, our colleagues across the aisle very often told us that we didn't need firearms to protect ourselves, that they would send the police, and then last year and the year before, they were calling to defund the police. The very constituents that they said, don't worry, you can call the police, they want to defund.

Now, they want to disarm retired law enforcement officers, who could be Johnny-on-the-spot, in many cases, to save civilian lives.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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Mr. MOORE of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

The yeas and nays were ordered.

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