RIGHT TO CARRY BILL FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS INTRODUCED IN HOUSE
ONE OF NAPO'S TOP LEGISLATIVE
PRIORITIES FOR THE 106th CONGRESS

If passed into law, the "National Assistance for Police Officer Safety Act of 1999" would create an exemption for qualified active law enforcement officers from state laws prohibiting the carrying of concealed weapons. It would not, however, supercede federal law prohibiting the possession of a firearm on any federal property or any prohibition of firearms on state or local government property. The legislation would have no effect on state laws that have broader right to carry statutes. Active law enforcement officers would have to be authorized by their public agency to carry a firearm at all times and meet all of the requirements of the agency regarding firearms.

Over the last decade, there have been a number of other legislative proposals introduced that would address this problem, including the past three sessions of Congress, where Congressman Randy Cunningham (R-CA) introduced right to carry legislation.
Last year, Congressman Cunningham introduced H.R. 218, which would have exempted active and retired law enforcement officers from state laws prohibiting the carrying of concealed weapons.

NAPO has consistently supported an exemption for active and retired law enforcement officers. NAPO submitted both written and oral congressional testimony on the right to carry for law enforcement and endorsed H.R. 218 in its original form last year. However, in the 105th Congress, an amendment was added to H.R. 218 during the House Subcommittee on Crime markup, causing it to lose its broad-based support. This amendment added a 'National Right to Carry Standard' for all citizens, which turned a mostly bipartisan law enforcement bill into a partisan and contentious piece of legislation. NAPO realized the inevitable demise of H.R. 218, as the law enforcement safety bill became the subject of a heated debate on Second Amendment Rights and gun control.

The leadership of NAPO took the prudent step of advocating for a bill that would be debated on law enforcement merits only and would not become the vehicle of outside interests or influence. Thus, NAPO and its members now support this new bill, H.R. 1461, that would exempt active law enforcement only.

"Currently, there exists a crazy patchwork of inconsistent laws across the United States, varying state-by-state and jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction, as to the lawfulness of law enforcement officers carrying weapons. Police officers are often confronted with varying and equivocal state statutes when traveling across state lines, resulting in confusion as to what type of weapon they may carry, whether the weapon may be concealed or exposed, and whether it matters that the officer is on or off-duty," said Robert T. Scully, NAPO's executive director.

"A right to carry bill is necessary and beneficial to the general welfare of both the public and the law enforcement community. The right to carry will help to protect law enforcement officers and their families who may be marked targets by criminals. Criminals will not be deterred by state statutes or prevented from going outside of jurisdictional lines, when seeking retribution and revenge against law enforcement officers. Also, there will be an additional protection to our streets and communities, as trained law enforcement officers travel outside of their jurisdictions," continued Scully.

"NAPO strongly urges the Congress to promptly pass the "National Assistance for Police Officer Safety Act of 1999", and urges President Clinton to support this bill which is so important to our nation's public safety officers," continued Scully. "NAPO thanks Congressman Rogan and Congressman Rothman for their support on this critical issue," continued Scully.
NAPO will continue its lobbying efforts for the introduction of a similar bill in the Senate and for the eventual passage of this important legislation.

The National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) is a coalition of police unions and associations from across the United States that serves in Washington, DC to advance the interests of America's law enforcement officers through legislative and legal advocacy, political action and education. Founded in 1978, NAPO now represents 4,000 police organizations and more than 220,000 sworn law enforcement officers.
###