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Washington, D.C., Jan 11 - Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-04) announced today that the National Rifle Association of America (NRA) has announced its support for his bill, H.R. 3752, to modernize federal firearms laws to increase public safety and ensure proper protection for law enforcement officers. The Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) Improvements Act of 2009 would improve current law to permit qualified retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms.  

In a letter of support, Director of Federal Affairs for the NRA, Charles H. Cunningham, said, “Since [LEOSA’s] enactment in 2004, it has become clear that officers have suffered from inconsistent certification processes from state to state. In many cases, the confusing process and bureaucratic red tape has complicated the implementation of the law. Your legislation proposes reasonable changes that will allow qualified active and retired law enforcement officers to comply more with the law.” 

Under current law, retired law enforcement officers are subject to complicated and duplicative document certification procedures to carry concealed weapons. Differing interpretations of the implementation of the law often leads some states to refuse to issue the required documentation. H.R. 3752 would establish measures of uniformity and cut through the bureaucratic red tape by enabling a firearms instructor to certify that retired law enforcement officers meet the active duty standard for firearms training. This would allow law enforcement officers who are retired or who separated in good standing after at least ten years of service to carry a concealed weapon. 

“I am pleased that the LEOSA Improvement Act has gained the support of an organization like the NRA that is committed to proper firearms training and education for law enforcement officers and citizens across the U.S. Ensuring the ability for qualified, retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms as a matter of public and personal safety, regardless of whether they are off-duty or across state lines, should be a priority for us,” said Forbes. 

In addition, Forbes’ bill has been endorsed by the National Fraternal Order of Police and the International Union of Police Associations. The bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee where it awaits further action. 

Congressman Forbes is a member of the House Judiciary Committee and former Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security. To learn more about Congressman Forbes’s work on crime issues, click here.