S. 679: LEOSA Reform Act

This bill, known as the LEOSA Reform Act, aims to amend the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004 (LEOSA) to enhance the provisions regarding the carrying of concealed firearms by both active and retired law enforcement officers. The key changes and improvements proposed in the bill include the following:

1. Conforming LEOSA with Gun-Free School Zones Act

The bill seeks to update section 922(q) of title 18, United States Code, by allowing individuals authorized under sections 926B or 926C to carry concealed firearms in certain areas where such activities were previously restricted, specifically in contexts related to the Gun-Free School Zones Act. This is intended to clarify the rights of law enforcement personnel in carrying concealed firearms.

2. Improvements for Active Law Enforcement Officers

The bill amends section 926B, which governs the carrying of concealed firearms by qualified active law enforcement officers. The changes include:

• Expanding the definition of applicable federal laws to include regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Interior for units of the National Park System.
• Clarifying that certain restrictions on firearms do not apply to common or contract carriers used to transport people or property or to publicly accessible property.
• Expanding age requirements and qualifications for carrying firearms to include some flexibility in meeting these standards.

3. Enhancements for Retired Law Enforcement Officers

In section 926C, which relates to retired law enforcement officers, similar updates are proposed. Key points include:

• Including provisions for compliance with federal laws regarding concealed firearm carry similar to active officers.
• Providing clarity about the requirements for maintaining the status of qualified retired officers capable of carrying concealed firearms.

4. Carrying Firearms in Federal Facilities

The bill also introduces changes to section 930, which governs firearm possession in federal facilities. Notable modifications include:

• Allowing qualified law enforcement officers and qualified retired officers to carry firearms in certain federal facilities classified as Facility Security Level I or II that are open to the public.
• Providing definitions for "civilian public access facility" and "Facility Security Level," which help specify the settings where officers may be permitted to carry.

5. General Updates

Overall, the proposed bill aims to ensure that both current and retired law enforcement officers can effectively carry firearms concealed in various situations, enhancing their ability to respond to emergencies and maintain safety while clarifying their rights and obligations under federal law.

Relevant Companies

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