mpd61";p="53710 said:
Ya know...............
The whole idea behind HR 218 was for enhancing homeland security and public safety in general by empowering/encouraging a group of certified/trained individuals to carry weapons off-duty without being restricted by state/municipal foolishness.
:roll:
F*CK BATF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Attorney General of the U.S. and Justice Department needs to do a better job of reining in and overseeing those bureaucratic ******* who should perhaps focus on illicit gun trade issues rather than what COP is carry what off-duty!!!!
:evil:
And for every state/municipal prosecutor who goes forward with charges against any qualified LEO carrying under HR 218
:FM:
HR218 (or something like it) was a dream of LEAA when they were formed. Some version of this bill was filed every legislative session going back to at least 1990 (and probably earlier). It didn't have a "state qual requirements" provision IIRC, a "bug" that caused the FL AG to declare that NO retired LEOs living in FL qualify under HR218 (they don't have "state standards" for qual). HR218 (the final version) was written by a union (FOP) to protect only union members, leaving retired PT LEOs (even though we qualified as often as FT POs) and a number of small town FT LEOs out in the cold when they retire because they don't get a pension! When this was first proposed, terrorism in the US was not part of the equation. And according to the response that I received from my DA to a theoretical query, if you are outside your jurisdiction (off-duty) and spot a terrorist lining up an RPG to take out an airplane and you shoot him, expect to be charged with murder! [I'm not kidding here.]
As for the AG, the new AG (to be confirmed) released the following info. Do you really think he wants folks (even retired LEOs) to carry guns? I think not!
HoustonChronicle.com --
http://www.HoustonChronicle.com | Section: National
Jan. 18, 2005, 1:59PM
AG nominee supports assault weapons ban
Associated Press
WASHINGTON - Attorney General nominee Alberto Gonzales told the Senate today that he supports extending the expired federal assault weapons ban.
Gonzales also said he wants Congress to get rid of a requirement that would eliminate part of the Patriot Act this year, despite complaints that it is too intrusive.
"I believe the USA PATRIOT Act has greatly improved our nation's ability to detect and prevent terrorist attacks," Gonzales told the Senate Judiciary Committee in written answers to questions left over from his confirmation hearing.
Gonzales, who served as President Bush's lawyer during his first term, is expected to be confirmed when the Senate returns after Bush's inauguration Thursday. He would be the nation's first Hispanic attorney general and replace John Ashcroft.
Democrats, including Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., pressed Gonzales for written answers to several of their questions during his daylong confirmation hearing. Those answers were delivered today to the committee, which planned a Wednesday meeting to consider nominations.
Congress let the 10-year-old assault weapons ban expire in September. The measure outlawed 19 types of military-style assault weapons, banned certain features on firearms such as bayonet mounts, and limited ammunition magazines to 10 rounds.
Gonzales pointed out that his brother Tony is a SWAT officer in Houston.
"I worry about his safety and the types of weapons he will confront on the street," Gonzales said. "The president has made it clear that he stands ready to sign a reauthorization of the federal assault weapons ban if it is sent to him by Congress. I, of course, support the president on this issue."
Antigun groups criticized Bush during the presidential campaign for failing to press for an extension of the ban.
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