Posted on 07/28/2004 8:41:07 PM PDT by Ramonan
THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS' SAFETY ACT SIGNED INTO LAW BY PRESIDENT BUSH!
Chuck Canterbury, National President of the Grand Lodge, Fraternal Order of Police, proudly announced that President George W. Bush signed H.R. 218, the "Law Enforcement Officers' Safety Act" into law on Thursday.
"This triumph was the result of a long, hard-fought battle," Canterbury said. "The Fraternal Order of Police has been working toward this day for over ten years. With the stroke of his pen, the President has made real the hopes of law enforcement officers across the nation."
The legislation, sponsored by Representative Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-CA), was passed by the House in June, and then by the Senate earlier this month. It exempts qualified active and retired law enforcement officers from State and local prohibitions with respect to the carrying of concealed firearms.
Canterbury and F.O.P. Executive Director Jim Pasco were the only law enforcement representatives to meet with the President in the Oval Office before the bill signing. "The President has truly made this country a safer place," said Canterbury after the ceremony. "By enacting this legislation, President Bush has ensured that when officers are confronted with a situation to which they must react, they have the tools necessary to ensure their own safety, and the safety of their families and the public they have been sworn to protect."
Now that the measure has been signed into law, active and retired law enforcement officers will be able to carry their firearms even when traveling outside their own jurisdictions. The bill, which was the F.O.P.'s top legislative priority, had wide, bipartisan support in both the House and Senate during its consideration in the Congress.
"There are many people to whom we owe a debt of gratitude today. Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-CO), and Representatives Tom DeLay (R-TX) and Duke Cunningham (R-CA) were all instrumental in moving the bill through the legislative process. We are especially grateful to President Bush, a true friend to law enforcement. Without his tireless support, we would not be here today. But most importantly, we owe our thanks to all those F.O.P. members who have worked so hard to achieve this goal."
The Fraternal Order of Police is the largest law enforcement labor organization in the United States, with more than 318,000 members.
The law, first drafted in 1992 by Congressman Randy " Duke" Cunningham and LEAA has become the number one legislative priority of America's rank and file police officers and is also backed by nearly every national organization representing rank and file law enforcement officers. Fotis, along with other leaders from America's law enforcement community and key members of Congress were at the President's side as he signed this unprecedented, life-saving legislation.
These folks will use their firearms to defend themselves and others from violent attacks -- exactly the same way that armed civilians employ their concealed guns in the nearly 40 states that allow honest, law-abiding civilians to carry concealed." Fotis went on to make clear, "Just as we have seen time and time again with civilians who safely and responsibly carry concealed guns because of Right-to-Carry, I believe the brave men and women of law enforcement that can now carry the tools of their trade will help make America more secure." Fotis added, "America's men and women in blue have always known that President Bush stands shoulder to shoulder with them in the fight for public safety and homeland security. By signing this law, the President is making an unprecedented effort to support our nation's protectors after their shift or tour of duty has ended."
LEAA points out for the record, that while President George Bush has unequivocally demonstrated his support of Law Enforcement, including his action today on H.R. 218, just three months ago, Senator John Kerry (D-MA) made a special effort to leave the campaign trail, returning to the Senate to vote against this bill. On March 2, Senator Kerry, against the wishes of the law enforcement community, voted to kill the Senate version of H.R. 218 by voting for 'poison pill' amendments.
(Excerpt) Read more at calibrepress.com ...
Would you support Congress passing a law saying that all Federal employees are exempt from State gun laws?
We will incrementally roll them all back on law at a time.
Do you think the Constitution means for State and local governments to be bound by the Second Amendment?
Yes. We want to chip away at almost every possible gun control. We will incrementally roll them all back one law at a time.
What, like I want those gun control laws to *stay* on the books if I can't get a monstrous one-law-repeals-them-all bill?!
Chip away. CCW. Arm pilots. Arm retired cops. Arm off-duty cops. Exempt gun manufactures' from lawsuits, etc. Chip away, Chip away, Chip Away until almost every possible gun control law is gone.
5 Legislative Days Left Until The AWB Expires
And your thoughts on the Second question in post #81?
I don't see it as a nefarious ploy to disenfranchise a certain segment of our population from their right to bear arms - I see it as a nearly impossible-to-kill ploy from *our* side to let more people exercise their 2nd Amendment rights than are currently allowed to.
You said it all FRiend.
We are at war friend. This is nothing compared to what this country saw during WW2.
We should be arming and promoting civil defense in every town in the country. Bush called on us to do this in his October 2000 speech. Do you recall?
yes he could. see #86
I'm glad the President signed this one, now I won't have to worry when anymore when I travel. hahahahaha. Because I take my "American Express" with me everywhere I go.
Now, if the FOP supports John Kerry, I'll quit the Lodge.
That's for sure. And why has not one dime been appropriated by congress to fund civil defense? And if the federal government isn't going to fund civil defense, at least they could step out of the way and allow us "2nd class citizens" to buy gas masks, body armor, nerve gas antidotes, etc. to protect ourownselves.
Bush called on us to do this in his October 2000 speech. Do you recall?
I can't speak for F_S, but I don't recall that. Do you have a link, perhaps?
Volunteers from the Senior Corps and AmeriCorps? BWWAAAAHAHAHAHAHA!
Interesting thread BANG
I thought the badge was called a get-out-of-jail-Americard by ex-LEOs.
*
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.