Senate passes HR218 (cop concealed carry)

Law Enforcement Alliance of America ^ | July 7, 2004 | Law Enforcement Alliance of America

[Mulder]

Washington D.C. July 7th, 2004

The Senate voted late Wednesday to pass H.R. 218 the 'National Concealed Carry for Cops' legislation that was passed by the House on June 23rd. The bill now goes to President Bush, who has indicated his strong support for the legislation. The 'National Concealed Carry for Cops' law gives qualified off duty and retired law enforcement officers the ability to carry their firearms concealed nationwide.

LEAA's 12 Year Fight for 'National Concealed Carry for Cops"

In 1992, the Law Enforcement Alliance of America (LEAA) and Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham came together to promote common sense. LEAA and Congressman Cunningham believed that qualified off duty and retired law enforcement officers ought to have the tools to match their training whether they are traveling out of state, or retired. America's men and women in blue deserved the right to protect themselves and their families from threats that didn't go away at the state line and criminal grudges that didn't end at the officer's retirement party.

When Congressman Cunningham and LEAA first gathered at a press conference to announce the 'National Concealed Carry for Cops' bill, the House and Senate were controlled by Democrats and President George H.W. Bush was in the White House. The bill only gathered 15 cosponsors that year, a far cry from the 297 in the House and 70 in the Senate of today.

But Congressman Cunningham and LEAA kept at their support for this common sense idea, and together they worked to promote the legislation in every session of Congress for the next 12 years. Along the way, the 'National Concealed Carry for Cops' bill picked up tremendous grassroots support. Rank and file officers from across the country began writing their elected

[Mulder]

Some animals are more equal than others, I suppose.

[Mulder]

Cops, like the rest of us, already have the Right to carry nationwide. It is enumerated in the 2nd amendment.

I believe this particular edict will make it more difficult for CCW to pass in states that don't have it. And many cops will be less willing to cut us peasants a break when carrying "illegally".

[Bogey78O]

They reaffirmed cops have constitutional rights.

This is bullcrap. They then tell us that there's nothing they can do to override state laws.

BULLCRAP BULLCRAP

[Sacajaweau]

Sorry...At that point in time, they're just ordinary citizens. The law is unconstitutional.

[muawiyah]

It's already time to add all former members of the US military services to the list.

[steplock]

We already have our Second Amendment right to bear arms to protect ourselves from tyranical governments and jack-booted police states.

[humblegunner]

Y'all have opinions on this?

[WorkingClassFilth]

So, where's our federal reciprocity law?

[steplock]

I decided to let the editor of that web site know of my opinion of illegal laws.

If you want to let them know how you feel, here is their posted for the public email address:

editor@leaa.org
.

[Mulder]

This is bullcrap. They then tell us that there's nothing they can do to override state laws

All it would take for this admistration to prove the point on the RKBA would be to charge a cop with federal civil Rights violations for arresting an American citizen peaceably carrying a firearm.

This is a federal felony. Ashcroft has already stated that the position of DOJ is that the RKBA is an 'individual' one. So what is stopping him from pursuing this?

[Frohickey]

When I talked with the LEAA representative at the NRA Annual Meeting in Reno,NV, they said that the National CCW for police would be the first step and that the following step would be National CCW reciprocity for all CCW holders.

I'd give the LEAA the benefit of the doubt that they will indeed follow through with their promise.

[TexasTransplant]

After that just make everyone LE and we have done an end run on the Gun Police.

[Jeff Gordon]

At that point in time, they're just ordinary citizens. The law is unconstitutional.

You probably did not mean to say the concealed carry by ordinary citizen is unconstitution but that is how your posting read.

I would say this is good precident. If ordinary citizens can carry, that means you and I can carry.

[Dan from Michigan]

LEAA I'm not too worried about. FOP on the other hand.......

[Dan from Michigan]

I don't like it. If the other cop orgs were more like LEAA, I'd say go for it, but they haven't gone to bat for us in MI. Only a few sheriffs, some good street cops, a lot of corrections officers(who had trouble getting CPLS) and that's about it.

The FOP and the like fought us. They didn't go to bad for us, so why should I go to bat for them.

[flashbunny]

and, um, what about equal protection?

Isee how they could argue current police as having the 'special need' for concealed carry. (Not that I'd agree with it).

But I don't see how they can say a retired police officer is any different than john q citizen. Hell, there are stories of police officers who didn't take their gun out of their holsters except for their meager qualification tests. For every one of those, there are many more civillians who put thousands of rounds down range every year.

[TexasTransplant]

You tagline says it all, and with a slight modification...
Gunlaws are not...

[Eastbound]

"It's already time to add all former members of the US military services to the list."

Right on.

I posted this on the AWB thread. Maybe somebody up there will start thinking about these things:

Quote:

Dear President Bush,

'At a time when terrorism continues to be a serious threat, it is even more imperative that we issue Assault Weapons to all the able-bodied.' In case of another large-scale attack, who but the veterans of our nation, who are already under oath would be better able to augment the forces required to round up the perps while protecting the innocent.

As President and Chief Executive of the Civilian population, I think it is timely and proper for you to consider mobilizing the Civilian population on the War on Terror and stop regarding them as an un-armed flock in need of protection.

Please activate 'C.A.T.S. (Ciivilian Anti Terror Squads) and supply the armories. Let's not have our active military and police agencies butting heads with the civilian population over this at the worst possible time.

We, the innocent Civilians who may be dead tomorrow because of lack of foresight today, take this opportunity to make our wishes known.

Thank you very much.

Joe Citizen

[ZULU]

You are correct.

Cops are already an overpaid, underworked privileged class in society as it is.

I have read of more stupid incidents involving dumb cops and firearms than of private citizens.

BUT, like the NEA, the Trial Court Attorneys, the Insurnace Lobby, etc. the Law-Enforcement lobby is well-organized, well-paid, and well-represented. Just as the public is hoodwinked into believing pouring more money into a corrupt educational system will produce better students, they have been hoodwinked into believing pouring more money and privileges in the direction of the law-enforcement community will translate into making them safer.

The only sure protection is a good firearm and the practice to employ it efectively.