What can you tell me about The Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA)?

2021-11-27T07:22:58-05:00

A federal law, enacted in 2004 that allows some classes of people to carry concealed firearms in any jurisdiction regardless of state or local laws.
I could use an outline of the carry requirements and the restrictions.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Nov 27 at 2021 7:36 AM

2021-11-27T07:36:13-05:00

SGT Private RallyPoint Member any suggestions?

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Nov 27 at 2021 8:05 AM

2021-11-27T08:05:34-05:00

JUST looking at your profile, and only that, you do not qualify under LEOSA.

The Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) is a United States federal law, enacted in 2004, allows two classes of persons—the "qualified law enforcement officer" and the "qualified retired or separated law enforcement officer" to carry a concealed firearm in any jurisdiction in the United States, regardless of state or local laws, with certain exceptions.
One exception is Gun-Free School Zone Act (GFSZA) authorizes on-duty law enforcement officers to carry firearms in such locations, off-duty and retired law enforcement officers are still restricted from doing so under LEOSA unless they have a firearms license issued from the state in which they reside
Bottom line unless you are a sworn law enforcement officer (MP, CID, SP, NCIS, ect) or a civilian LEO, active or retired, LEOSA is not going to apply.
Im not a lawyer, not a LEOSA expert, but I did research it for my own personal use.

Response by CPO William Glen (W.G.) Powell made Nov 27 at 2021 8:57 AM

2021-11-27T08:57:14-05:00

The LEOSA permit is applied for at the sheriffs office in the county where you live in the same way your state CCDW permit would be. You have to provide a letter from your organization that you re tired from and you have to shoot whatever the CCDW qualification course is in the state where you live. This permit is only good for one year and you will have to renew it annually.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Nov 27 at 2021 6:55 PM

2021-11-27T18:55:25-05:00

SFC Ralph E Kelley I have mentioned this previously on Rally Point: I happen to be the coach of my: 'Group for Police Officers: Suicidal/Depressed/P.T.S.D.'

Response by SPC Julio R. made Dec 19 at 2021 2:16 PM

2021-12-19T14:16:24-05:00

Blue isis clowns already get all the special treatment in the world. qualified immunity needs to go and we need to hold bad cops accountable racist bigots with badges yes even the nopal en la frente and Candice Owens crowd. just another law on the books to make sure they keep the "slave patrol" alive and well in any state at any time. I hate bad cops and it seems that the good ones get ostracized when they drop a dime or speak up.
They enjoy keeping the bad pigs that constantly violate our civil rights up to murder. Now here come the yal'qaeda bootlicking Reich wing blue falcon, that hid their hate behind their uniform ready to comment, ignorance of privilege much?

Response by SPC Julio L R. made Dec 20 at 2021 2:37 PM

2021-12-20T14:37:15-05:00

https://www.cbp.gov/about/leosa

Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA)

The Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004 (LEOSA), exempts a “qualified retired law enforcement officer” carrying a LEOSA photographic identification, such as CBP LEOSA Identification or CBP retired/separated LEO credentials, along with an annual state firearms test certification, from most state and local laws prohibiting the carriage of concealed firearms.How to

Response by SPC Julio L R. made Dec 20 at 2021 2:37 PM

2021-12-20T14:37:27-05:00

https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/mgmt/human-resources/mgmt-dir_257-01-law-enforcement-officers-safety-act_rev-01.pdf

mgmt-dir_257-01-law-enforcement-officers-safety-act_rev-01.pdf

Response by SPC Julio L R. made Dec 20 at 2021 3:05 PM

2021-12-20T15:05:34-05:00

https://le.nra.org/understanding-leosa/leosa/

Law Enforcement, Military, Security

Detail of the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act

Response by CWO4 Tim Hecht made Dec 23 at 2021 2:57 PM

2021-12-23T14:57:56-05:00

LEOSA was enacted to give LEOS and certain qualified Retired LEOS the ability to nation-wide concealed carry regardless of state and local laws - with some exceptions. You may not normally carry in Courthouses and post offices; and retired LEOS should respect private businesses that don’t permit CCW on their property.

Under LEOSA I’ve carried a concealed fire arm in NYC, Chicago, Detroit (Michigan in general) and where I live in Texas.

Prior to retiring as a Federal LEO I carried off-duty; but now retired I have to comply with LEOSA.

First you must serve a minimum of 10 years as an armed LEO; then retire. Depending upon the agency you work for (primarily the Feds) you may or may not get a specific LEOSA ID Card; when I retired from CBP in 2014 my credentials were stamped “Retired” and I had an e-mail from our Senior Firearms instructor stating I met the requirements of LEOSA.

That’s hurdle one. LEOSA requires annual firearms qualification; depending on the state the initial cost can be (MI) $200+; in TX the quality course is privately ran; an annual State LEOSA ID is $35. Some of my friends have said they join the local PD for LEOSA Qual Day.

For the retired military DoD police Officers, and LEOS with UCMJ apprehension authority to qualify.

There is a dearth of Info about LEOSA; Google is your friend!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2021 7:19 PM

2021-12-24T19:19:57-05:00

I’m a certified retired LEO in good standing.
I thought I covered this before.

Any local law enforcement office should be able to provide you with the information you need.
18 USC 926c

Response by CW3 Donald Mann made Dec 24 at 2021 9:21 PM

2021-12-24T21:21:03-05:00

I am a retired LEO (Anchorage Police Dept). I qualify under LEOSA (H.R. 218) . . . However, in order to legally carry a concealed firearm outside of Alaska, I must get a LEOSA letter from my local Police Department (municipal, county, or state) indicating I am a retired LEO in good standing (I haven’t committed any crimes or otherwise would be legally disqualified from meeting LEOSA qualification) and then I must go to the range and shoot and pass a qualification course the same as a current active duty LEO. Then I am issued an ID card indicating I am a retired LEO and meet all the requirements of H.R. 218. Gotta do this each year. And I must carry such credentials on my carcass when armed outside of my home jurisdiction.
Anyone may carry openly (stupid!) or concealed in Alaska . . . unless they are legally restricted to possess/own a firearm (convicted felon or misdemeanor Domestic Violence).
Go to:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/218?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22108th+Congress%22%2C%22108th%22%2C%22Congress%22%5D%7D&s=6&r=2

That link has all the poop on H.R.218 - Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004

Just a moment...

Response by MSgt George Fillgrove made Dec 25 at 2021 7:05 PM

2021-12-25T19:05:46-05:00

Doesn't give you cart blanche to carry a concealed weapon. The law's real intention is a vehicle for former military cops to transition into civilian careers. Even though I am a former Air Force SP, the law wasn't in place when I received my permit, so I qualified independently.

Response by 1SG John Mohon made Jan 30 at 2022 12:23 AM

2022-01-30T00:23:59-05:00

Be advised that many, if not all jurisdictions, have different requirements. I’ve read multiple comments below and none are close to my own experience. I med retired from my first agency after nine years in uniform. I am issued a “Retired” ID and it is annotated that I am qualified under HR 218 (LEOSA). I qualify annually. I do not have to contact any other agencies nor need any other permits or permission beyond my ID, which is good for one year at a time. So… research the pertinent regs and laws for your agency/jurisdiction and plan accordingly. None of us know the hoops someone six states away must jump through. We do know that once in hand, your LEOSA ID is (supposed to be) good in all states.

Response by SGT Kenneth Duncan made Feb 18 at 2022 8:23 PM

2022-02-18T20:23:11-05:00

I never carry concealed. Itis right out in the open where anyone can see it.

Response by SSG Bruce Booker made Feb 20 at 2022 11:18 AM

2022-02-20T11:18:50-05:00

It’s a bit complicated. LEOSA allows certain active and retired law enforcement officers to carry a concealed firearm in all 50 states and some U.S. possessions. It defines who those qualified people are. There are other requirements, like having to qualify periodically with the firearm on an approved course. And there are limitations. And some states and cities enforce their own interpretations of LEOSA. Some states even issue a LEOSA identification card in addition to your retired LE credentials. I think you will find some lengthy detailed articles online at places like le.nra.org. Do your homework. Then there are local laws. California bans magazines over a certain size. Washington is working on passing a similar law. I have heard some opinions but I have not yet seen any solid legal guidance on whether or not those restrictions apply to carry under LEOSA. If you find something, please share it with the rest of us.

Response by SSG Bruce Booker made Feb 20 at 2022 11:24 AM

2022-02-20T11:24:35-05:00

I should add to my previous comment that I am retired after 37 years with a large law enforcement agency. I carry under the authority of LEOSA. In addition to carrying my retired ID and my current firearm qualification card, I also carry a LEOSA photo ID issued by my state.

Response by SP5 John Burleson made Feb 20 at 2022 12:42 PM

2022-02-20T12:42:01-05:00

Interesting blurb but I have another query. A lot of us have CC cards and we do carry...concealed. What happens if a violent crime is committed in our presence; we produce our firearms and control the situation; and he real police show up. How do they know which one of us is the good guy and which one of us is the maggot?

Response by SSgt Brian Weston made Feb 23 at 2022 11:08 PM

2022-02-23T23:08:46-05:00

I feel that there is a little too much fuzz in LEOSA. I was Army and Air Force MP/SF from 1998-2007 and park service LE 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and I was told I do not qualify. Maybe I am wrong.....

Response by SSG Ken Potts made Feb 24 at 2022 9:21 PM

2022-02-24T21:21:07-05:00

Nothing, check the cart laws in your state.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2022 11:32 PM

2022-09-17T23:32:55-04:00

I have the DOD LEOSA credential and have since the first batch issued to MPs.