FLEOA Applauds the
Reintroduction of the LEOSA Reform Act
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 24, 2021
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Larry Cosme, President of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA) - the nation’s largest non-partisan, not-for-profit professional association representing close to 30,000 federal law enforcement officers and agents across 65 federal agencies – expressed our strong support and appreciation to Rep. Don Bacon (NE) Rep Henry Cuellar (TX), Rep John Rutherford (FL), Rep Pete Stauber (MN) for the re-introduction of the LEOSA Reform Act in the 117th Congress:
“The LEOSA Reform Act is critical law enforcement safety legislation. The current federal LEOSA statute uses vague language, allowing some state to seize upon the opportunity to place unlawful and unnecessary burdens on otherwise qualified law enforcement officers. The LEOSA Reform Act will clarify the right of qualified law enforcement officers to carry firearms on covered lands with covered ammunitions. This legislation also allows qualified law enforcement professionals to carry on Gun Free School Zones and reforms qualification standards to alleviate undue burdens which currently exist,” Cosme explained.
“FLEOA has been an architect and staunch supporter of the LEOSA Reform Act. We appreciate the leadership these Representatives have shown by addressing this important safety issue for law enforcement officers,” said Cosme.
Cosme continued, “LEOSA was enacted in 2004 as a clear federal right given to qualified officers to allow them to carry the weapons they have trained with throughout our nation. It was enacted to allow retired and former law enforcement officers to act as a force multiplier in our nation, especially when crimes, such as active shooters, seem to occur without notice and in benign situations.”
Cosme furthered, “Congress passed the original law and has since clarified it twice, increasing its breadth and scope each time. It is imperative Congress do so again to ensure that no state or local jurisdiction can impede the lawful rights bestowed on LEOSA qualified law enforcement officers.”
“We look forward to the swift passage of this law to reaffirm the LEOSA statute as enacted by Congress is indeed the law of the land for LEOSA qualified law enforcement officers. Until this bill is passed into law, FLEOA remains committed to challenging efforts to circumvent federal LEOSA law and working with states to ensure access to this right for all qualified law enforcement personnel,” said Cosme.
The LEOSA Reform Act is supported by 25 professional law enforcement organizations whose memberships equate to representing the majority of law enforcement officers in our nation