During Wednesday’s remarks on the House floor, Rep. Derek Schmidt (R-KS) spoke about the LEOSA Reform Act of 2025 which broadens the authority for certain law enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms across state lines.
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00:00Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
00:02H.R. 2243, the Law Enforcement Officer Safety Reform Act, which reforms LEOSA, makes important
00:09updates to the existing LEOSA program.
00:13In 2004, President George W. Bush signed LEOSA into law.
00:17The law exempts certain active and retired law enforcement officers from local and state
00:22prohibitions on the carrying of concealed firearms.
00:26In order to qualify under LEOSA, active law enforcement officers must meet several important
00:31requirements.
00:32For example, they must be authorized to carry a firearm by their agency.
00:37They cannot be subject to disciplinary actions by the agency that could result in a loss
00:41of their police power.
00:43They must meet certain firearms qualification standards.
00:46They cannot be under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating substances.
00:51And they must not be prohibited by federal law from possessing a firearm.
00:57Retired law enforcement officers must also meet several requirements in order to qualify
01:01under LEOSA.
01:03For example, they must have separated from service in good standing and served as a law enforcement
01:08officer for an aggregate of 10 years or more.
01:12They also are required to meet certain firearms training standards and must not be prohibited
01:17by federal law from possessing a firearm.
01:20The LEOSA Reform Act will allow these officers to carry a concealed firearm in the same manner
01:26many licensed citizens carry a firearm in their state.
01:30For example, the LEOSA Reform Act will allow law enforcement officers qualified under LEOSA
01:36to carry concealed firearms in national parks, certain federal facilities that are not open
01:42to the public on public transportation, in school zones, and in other areas.
01:49The bill also reduces the frequency that qualified, retired law enforcement officers are required
01:53to meet certain qualification standards.
01:56Many states allow state-licensed concealed carry permit holders to carry a concealed firearm
02:01in gun-free school zones and on public transportation in the state in which they are licensed.
02:07This bill affords qualified law enforcement officers the same privilege.
02:12This legislation improves public safety as our officers face increasingly greater dangers
02:17and current restrictions hinder their ability to carry firearms and protect themselves and
02:23others.
02:24At a time when violent crime continues to plague our nation, we must support our active and
02:30retired law enforcement officers and ensure they are able to protect themselves and to
02:36protect others, no matter where they are in the United States.
02:41This legislation is supported by the Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies, the Federal
02:46Law Enforcement Officers Association, the Major Cities Chiefs Association, the Major County
02:51Sheriffs of America, the National Association of Police Organizations, the National Narcotics Officers
02:58Association Coalition, the National Sheriffs Association, and the Sergeants Benevolent Association
03:04and NYPD.
03:05I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.