LEOSA/HR218 Resources

What is the Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act (LEOSA/HR218)?

§ 926C. Carrying of concealed firearms by qualified retired law enforcement officer (a)

Notwithstanding any other provision of the law of any State or any political subdivision thereof, an individual who is a qualified retired law enforcement officer and who is carrying the identification required by subsection (d) may carry a concealed firearm that has been transported in interstate or foreign commerce, subject to subsection (b). (b) This section shall not be construed to supersede or limit the laws of any State that - (1) permit private persons or entities to prohibit or restrict the possession of concealed firearms on their property: or (2) prohibit or restrict the possession of firearms on any State or local government property, installation, building, base, or park. (d) The identification required by this subsection is - (1) a photographic identification issued by the agency from which the individual retired from service as a law enforcement officer that indicates that the individual has, not less recently than one year before the date the individual is carrying the concealed firearm, been tested or otherwise found by the agency to meet the standards established by the agency for training and qualification for active law enforcement officers to carry a firearm of the same type as the concealed firearm, or (2) (A) a photographic identification issued by the agency from which the individual retired from service as a law enforcement officer; and (B) a certification issued by the State in which the individual resides that indicates that the individual has, not less recently than one year before the date the individual is carrying the concealed firearm, been tested or otherwise found by the State to meet the standards established by the State for training and qualification for active law enforcement officers to carry a firearm of the same type as the concealed firearm.

General information:

More information on the Law Enforcement Safety Act:

HR 218 is a federal law, officially known as the "Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act" (LEOSA), which was enacted in 2004. It allows qualified active and retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms across state lines, even in jurisdictions where they may not have otherwise been permitted to do so.

LEOSA (Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act) and HR218 (H.R. 218) are often used interchangeably because HR218 is the federal law that enacted LEOSA. In other words, HR218 is the actual legislation that established LEOSA. LEOSA, or HR218, provides certain retired law enforcement officers with the ability to carry concealed firearms across state lines, even if they would otherwise be prohibited by state law. It grants qualified retired officers the right to carry concealed weapons in any jurisdiction within the United States, subject to certain conditions and limitations. So, in essence, LEOSA and HR218 refer to the same law. HR218 is the bill number and legislative designation of the law, while LEOSA is the commonly used acronym for the law's name, the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act.

Under the law, qualified law enforcement officers (QLEOs) and qualified retired law enforcement officers (QRLEOs) are exempt from state and local laws that would otherwise prohibit the carrying of concealed firearms. The law defines a QLEO as an employee of a government agency who is authorized by law to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, investigation, or prosecution of, or the incarceration of any person for, any violation of law, and has statutory powers of arrest. A QRLEO is a retired QLEO who meets certain criteria, including having retired in good standing, having served for at least 10 years as a QLEO, and having met certain firearms training requirements.

It is important to note that while HR 218 allows QLEOs and QRLEOs to carry concealed firearms across state lines, it does not provide them with immunity from state and local firearms laws. They are still subject to the same laws and regulations that apply to ordinary citizens in the states and jurisdictions where they are carrying their firearms.

In order to take advantage of the benefits of HR 218, QLEOs and QRLEOs must carry their official identification and meet any firearms training requirements set by their employing agency or state. They must also comply with any additional requirements imposed by the states and jurisdictions where they are carrying their firearms.

Overall, HR 218 is designed to provide a measure of safety and protection to qualified law enforcement officers, allowing them to carry concealed firearms across state lines to better protect themselves and others. It is highly recommended that you complete the optional online class put on by former police officer, current attorney and instructor Anthony Bandiero (LEOSA – FEDERAL CONCEALED CARRY).

ANTHONY BANDIERO

Attorney - Senior Legal Instructor

Anthony Bandiero is the Senior Legal Instructor for Blue to Gold Law Enforcement Training. He is also a Nationally Certified Instructor, and many consider him to be one of the best legal instructors in the nation. He has studied constitutional law for over twenty years and has taught search and seizure to over 30,000 officers around the country.

Before teaching search and seizure full-time, Anthony was a sergeant with the Nevada Highway Patrol in Las Vegas, Nevada. His assignments included traffic enforcement, emergency driving instructor, and training supervisor. Anthony also has experience as a municipal officer with the Elko Police Department.

Anthony’s education includes a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from Harvard University. He graduated from Gonzaga School of Law in Spokane, Washington, and is a practicing member of the Washington and New Jersey State Bar. (LEOSA – FEDERAL CONCEALED CARRY).