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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) last week joined U.S. Senator John Kennedy (R-La.) to reintroduce legislation to expand the concealed-carry rights of qualified law enforcement officers.
The Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) Reform Act (S.679) would broaden where qualified law enforcement officers may carry their concealed firearms by amending the original 2004 law that first provided concealed-carry rights to officers.
“There’s no need to restrict the ability of qualified, well-trained law enforcement officers from being able to provide another level of protection for our communities. This legislation would cut through some of the unnecessary red tape involving concealed-carry rights for police officers,” Senator Hyde-Smith said.
“Day in and day out, our brave law enforcement officers put their lives on the line to keep Americans safe—even when they’re retired or off-duty. The LEOSA Reform Act would help empower cops to keep our communities safe by expanding their rights to carry concealed firearms in public places,” said Senator Kennedy.
The original LEOSA of 2004 gave qualified officers the right to carry concealed firearms in any U.S. state or territory, regardless of state or local laws. The right was extended to active-duty, retired, or no longer working in law enforcement. S.679 would amend the 2004 statute to address numerous exceptions that prevent qualified law enforcement officers from protecting themselves and the public adequately, including bans on concealed-carry rights on certain state, local, and federal government property.
S.679 would expand the original law by allowing qualified officers to carry their concealed firearms in the following locations: state, local, and private property otherwise open to the public; national parks; certain federal public access facilities; and school zones.
The LEOSA Reform Act is supported by the National Association of Police Organizations, National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), National Fraternal Order of Police, National District Attorneys Association, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, New York Police Department (NYPD) Sergeants Benevolent Association, Major Cities Chiefs Association, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, Major County Sheriffs of America and the National Sheriffs’ Association.
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