[mv577]

URGENT - House SubCommittee Passes 218 - Full Committee hearing
tomorrow at 10am (wednesday)

Here's a follow-up report courtesy of the Law Enforcement Alliance of
America (LEAA):

The House Judiciary Sub-Committee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland
Security, Chaired by Congressman Howard Coble (R-NC) today passed H.R. 218,
without amendments. Chairman Coble, a 218 cosponsor and long time law
enforcement supporter, ran a thorough and prompt hearing and mark-up
and the bill was passed or "reported favorably".

The Bill now goes to the Full House Judiciary Committee, where Chairman
James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) has agreed to promptly schedule a hearing
and mark-up (vote) on the bill tomorrow morning at 10am. This is a very
positive action by Chairman Sensenbrenner.

Amendments to the bill that were to be offered today were withheld and
may likely be seen tomorrow. Congressman Scott (D-VA) had planned to
introduce a variety of unfriendly and outright anti-cop amendments.
Among them:

* An amendment to ban "the concealed carry of assault rifles" by off
duty and retired police officers. (note, this is along the lines of Ted
Kennedy's amendment that would ban concealed carry of "sniper rifles")

* An amendment to make the BATFE the agency that decides who qualifies
as a law enforcement officer under H.R. 218.

* An amendment to let police chiefs prevent their officers from
carrying while off duty

Other possible amendments may include an effort to let states opt out
of the legislation, amendments that make it even more difficult for
retired officers to qualify, or even an amendment that would cause the bill
to sunset in 15 years.

We will keep you informed about what happens at tomorrow's hearing -
and LEAA assures us that they are fighting to keep the bill clean and
free of hostile amendments. They succeeded today - lets hope they do as
well tomorrow.

More Info Here
...And Here

Posted Wed Jun 16, 2004 3:13 pm:

URGENT - HR 218 passes full House Judiciary Committee - all hostile
amendments defeated!

This in from the Law Enforcement Alliance of America (LEAA)
www.leaa.org

H.R. 218 has just been reported favorably (passed) by the full House
Judiciary Committee. Chairman Sensenbrenner, who had objected to the
bill, allowed a hearing, mark-up and fair debate and the bill passed. We
managed to defeat a number of hostile amendments, including ones that
would give states 4 years to vote to opt out, give BATFE the authority
to set firearms training standards to determine which law enforcement
officers qualified, and an amendment that would let police chiefs bar
their officers from carrying while off duty.

One amendment suggested that officers should be specifically barred
from carrying concealed "assault weapons" and Congressman Bill Delahunt
(D-MA) asked for an amendment to satisfy him that "retired officers
would not be able to carry concealed hand grenades." This is not a joke,
opponents of the bill actually argued that America's men and women in
law enforcement would be running around carrying concealed AK-47's, "hand
grenades and bombs."

The bill will now go before the full House for a vote, which is
tentatively scheduled for next week. This victory is thanks to the enduring
dedication of Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham - a naval aviator ace
during the Vietnam War and Top Gun instructor, who has fought for "cop
carry" legislation for the past 12 years. Thanks are also due to a
number of Judiciary Committee members who led a strong vocal support for
this legislation, including Congressman Ric Keller (R-FL), Congressman
Tom Feeney (R-FL), Congressman John Hostettler (R-IN), and Congressman
Steve Chabot (R-OH) among others. All of the H.R. 218 supporters on the
committee worked hard to ensure the votes were there for to defeat each
amendment. If you live in Florida, Indiana or Ohio, please let these
members know of your appreciation.

Detailed information including vote count, Member contact info and
more will be available shortly on LEAA's web site, www.leaa.org - We
thank LEAA for keeping us up to date with prompt reports from their staff
who worked yesterday and today's hearing. If you're not familiar with
LEAA, you ought to look at their web site and sign up as a member -
www.leaa.org They have been in this fight from the beginning.

 

[Gil]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: TIM RICHARDSON
16 JUNE 2004 (202) 547-8189

H.R. 218 Passes House Judiciary Committee!!!

Chuck Canterbury, National President of the Grand Lodge, Fraternal Order of Police, hailed the passage of H.R. 218, the "Law Enforcement Officers' Safety Act," by the House Judiciary Committee on a 23-9 vote earlier this afternoon. The bill, sponsored by Representative Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-CA), exempts qualified active and retired law enforcement officers from State and local prohibitions with respect to the carrying of concealed firearms. House leadership has indicated that the legislation will be considered on the House floor next week.

"We have finally done it!" said an ebullient Canterbury, who testified in favor of the bill before a House subcommittee yesterday. "In the many years we have been working on this bill, we've never gotten a vote in the full House Judiciary Committee. We are very grateful to Chairman Sensenbrenner (R-WI), whose opposition to the legislation is well known, for giving his Committee a chance to vote on the bill. We also owe thanks to Subcommittee Chairman Howard Coble (R-NC), a long time cosponsor of the bill, for all of his help in moving this legislation forward. His support helped us a great deal."

Two amendments were added to the legislation at the mark-up. The first will require retired law enforcement officers to carry documentation showing that they have met the standards for training and qualification for active law enforcement officers to carry firearms in the State in which they reside within the most recent one year period. The second amendment nullifies the exemption from State and local prohibitions with respect to the carrying of concealed firearms if the officer is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The F.O.P. does not view either of these amendments as harmful to the intent of the legislation.

"The membership of the Fraternal Order of Police is sincerely grateful to Representative Tom DeLay (R-TX), the House Majority Leader. His strong support of this legislation and the Fraternal Order of Police helped make today's vote possible," Canterbury said. "He has told me that he intends to bring H.R. 218 to the House floor next week for a vote, so I urge all F.O.P. members--and officers who are not members of the F.O.P.--to contact their Representative and ask them to vote in favor of H.R. 218 when it is considered next week."

The Fraternal Order of Police is the largest law enforcement labor organization in the United States, with more than 318,000 members.

---
Incoming mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.701 / Virus Database: 458 - Release Date: 6/7/2004

Chris L. Granberg
Senior Legislative Liaison

Fraternal Order of Police
National Legislative Office
309 Massachusetts Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20002
(O) (202) 547 - 8189
(F) (202) 547 - 8190

 

[MARINECOP]

That's great news. =D> Looks like it's a go. I will say it is about time considering all that is going on in this country these days. They are finally getting their heads out of their asses. Thanks for the info Mv557 and Gil.

 

[Bluelite75]

Outstanding! I've been a member of the LEAA for a few years. This is a very important bill. I've got a case in RI going through CT. We need this. I'm sure most of you will agree

 

[mv577]

House Passes H.R. 218 - Now on to the Senate!

This just in from LEAA...

For Immediate Release
June 23rd 2004

House Passes National Concealed Carry for Cops™
LEAA™s 12 year fight ends in victory for officer safety

Washington DC " The House of Representatives today overwhelmingly
passed H.R. 218, legislation that would allow qualified off-duty and
retired law enforcement officers to carry their firearms concealed in all 50
states.

Originally drafted by Congressman Randy Duke Cunningham and Law
Enforcement Alliance of America (LEAA) Executive Director Jim Fotis in
1992, the National Concealed Carry for Cops™ legislation has been a
12 year fight that has been embraced by nearly every association
representing rank and file police officers and a significant bipartisan
majority in the House and Senate.

At a press conference marking passage of the life-saving legislation in
the House, Fotis remarked, "After more than a decade of fighting, a
major victory has been won for America's men and women in blue. For 12
years the Law Enforcement Alliance of America has backed Congressman
Cunningham in his efforts and helped lead the fight to pass H.R 218. In
that time Duke has proven himself, time and time again, to be a good
friend and the greatest ally a good cause -- and cops -- could ever have.
We owe a debt of gratitude to Law Enforcement's Top Gun™ on
Capitol Hill. Thank you Congressman Cunningham.

LEAA™s Fotis and Congressman Cunningham were joined by Congressman
Ric Keller (R-FL) and Congressman Tom Feeney (R-FL) as well as law
enforcement leaders Bill Johnson from the National Association of Police
Organizations (NAPO), Don Baldwin from the National Law Enforcement Council
(NLEC), Brad Card from the National Troopers Coalition (NTC) and other
law enforcement leaders as well as officers from area departments.

H.R. 218 now awaits a vote by the Senate. President Bush has indicated
his strong support and his willingness to promptly sign National
Concealed Carry for Cops™ into law.

For more information about H.R. 218 or S. 253 please go to:
http://leaa.org/218/

 

[Gil]

H.R. 218: Grassroots Action Alert!!!

The F.O.P.'s key allies in the Senate are working to get H.R. 218 to the Senate floor for consideration THIS WEEK. In fact, action could occur on this legislation as early as today.

Our Senate allies are seeking to "hotline" the bill--that is, to gain approval of the legislation from each of the party caucuses, which would allow the bill to be considered by "unanimous consent." If successful, this would clear the measure for President Bush.

We are asking all of our grassroots members to contact both of their Senators about H.R. 218. If your Senator is one of the seventy (70) cosponsors of S. 253, the companion measure of H.R. 218, thank them, and ask that they help the F.O.P. get this bill through the Senate this week.

The following Senators are NOT cosponsors of S. 253 and we are asking that our grassroots members contact them and ask that they support the favorable consideration of H.R. 218:

ARIZONA
Senator John McCain (R)
Staff Contact: Joe Donoghue
Phone number: 202-224-2235
District Office: 602-952-2410
NOTE: Senator McCain voted FOR this bill on the Senate floor, as an amendment to another bill on 2 March (Record Vote #26).

ARKANSAS
Senator Mark L. Pryor (D)
Staff Contact:Walter Pryor
Phone number: 202-224-2353
District Office: 501-324-6336
NOTE: Senator Pryor voted FOR this bill on the Senate floor, as an amendment to another bill on 2 March (Record Vote #26).

COLORADO
Senator Wayne Allard (R)
Staff Contact: Roger Brown
Phone number: 202-224-5941
District office: (303) 220-7414
NOTE: Senator Allard voted FOR this bill on the Senate floor, as an amendment to another bill on 2 March (Record Vote #26).

CONNECTICUT
Senator Christopher J. Dodd (D)
Staff Contact: Jonathan Halpern
Phone number: 202-224-2823
District office: (860) 258-6940
NOTE: Senator Dodd was one of only eight (8) Senators to vote AGAINST this bill on the Senate floor, as an amendment to another bill on 2 March (Record Vote #26).

DELAWARE
Senator Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D)
Staff Contact: Eric Rosen
Phone number: 202-224-5042
District office: (302) 573-6345
NOTE 1: Senator Biden voted in favor of S. 253 when it was considered and passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee on 6 March 2003. The breakdown of all the Committee votes can be found on the Grand Lodge website: http://www.grandlodgefop.org/legislation/S253action.html
NOTE 2: Senator Biden voted FOR this bill on the Senate floor, as an amendment to another bill, on 2 March (Record Vote #26).

FLORIDA
Senator Bob Graham (D)
Staff contact: Amanda Wood
Phone number: 202-224-3041
District office: 850-907-1100
NOTE: Senator Graham voted FOR this bill on the Senate floor, as an amendment to another bill on 2 March (Record Vote #26).

ILLINOIS
Senator Richard J. Durbin (D)
Staff Contact: Chris Kang
Phone Number: 202-224-2152
District Office: (312) 353-4952
NOTE 1: Senator Durbin voted AGAINST the F.O.P. on the four (4) amendments which were offered in Committee by Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA). None of the amendments passed. The Senator did vote FOR the legislation on passage out of Committee. The breakdown of all the Committee votes can be found on the Grand Lodge website: http://www.grandlodgefop.org/legislation/S253action.html
NOTE 2: Senator Durbin was one of only eight (8) Senators to vote AGAINST this bill on the Senate floor, as an amendment to another bill on 2 March (Record Vote #26).

Senator Peter G. Fitzgerald (R)
Staff Contact: Kendrick MacDowell
Phone number: 202-224-2854
District Office: (312) 886-3506
NOTE 2: Senator Fitzgerald was one of only eight (8) Senators to vote AGAINST this bill on the Senate floor, as an amendment to another bill on 2 March (Record Vote #26).

KANSAS
Senator Pat Roberts (R)
Staff contact: Darren Dick
Phone number: 202-224-4774
District office: 913-451-9343
NOTE: Senator Roberts voted FOR this bill on the Senate floor, as an amendment to another bill on 2 March (Record Vote #26).

MARYLAND
Senator Paul S. Sarbanes (D)
Staff contact: Susan Zentay
Phone number: 202-224-4524
District Office: (410) 962-4436
NOTE: Senator Sarbanes was one of only eight (8) Senators to vote AGAINST this bill on the Senate floor, as an amendment to another bill on 2 March (Record Vote #26).

MASSACHUSETTS
Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D)
Staff contact: Robin Toone
Phone number: 202-224-4543
District Office: (617) 565-3170
NOTE 1: Senator Kennedy is the bill's chief opponent in the Senate. He offered four (4) amendments during the Judiciary Committee's mark-up of the legislation, all designed to weaken the legislation. None of the amendments passed. The Senator was the sole vote against the bill in Committee. The breakdown of all the Committee votes can be found on the Grand Lodge website: http://www.grandlodgefop.org/legislation/S253action.html
NOTE 2: Senator Kennedy was one of only eight (8) Senators to vote AGAINST this bill on the Senate floor, as an amendment to another bill on 2 March (Record Vote #26).

MICHIGAN
Senator Carl Levin (D)
Staff contact: Joe Bryan
Phone number: 202-224-6221
District Office: (313) 226-6020
NOTE: Senator Levin voted FOR this bill on the Senate floor, as an amendment to another bill on 2 March (Record Vote #26).

MISSOURI
Senator Christopher S. "Kit" Bond (R)
Staff contact: Jack Bartling
Phone number: 202-224-5721
District Office: (573) 634-2488
NOTE: Senator Bond voted FOR this bill on the Senate floor, as an amendment to another bill on 2 March (Record Vote #26).

NEW JERSEY
Senator Jon S. Corzine (D)
Staff contact: Anne Hubert
Phone number: 202-224-4744
District Office: (973) 645-3030
NOTE: Senator Corzine voted FOR this bill on the Senate floor, as an amendment to another bill on 2 March (Record Vote #26).

Senator Frank Lautenberg (D)
Staff contact: Rudy Brioche
Phone number: 202-224-3224
District Office: (973) 639-8700
NOTE: Senator Lautenberg was one of only eight (8) Senators to vote AGAINST this bill on the Senate floor, as an amendment to another bill on 2 March (Record Vote #26).

OHIO
Senator George V. Voinovich (R)
Staff contact: Amanda Nichols
Phone number: 202-224-3353
District Office: (614) 469-6697
NOTE: Senator Voinovich voted FOR this bill on the Senate floor, as an amendment to another bill on 2 March (Record Vote #26).

RHODE ISLAND
Senator John F. "Jack" Reed (D)
Staff contact: Steve Eichenauer
Phone number: 202-224-4642
District Office: : (401) 943-3100
NOTE: Senator Reed voted FOR this bill on the Senate floor, as an amendment to another bill on 2 March (Record Vote #26).

Senator Lincoln D. Chafee (R)
Staff contact: David Morgenstern
Phone number: 202-224-2921
District Office: (401) 453-5294
NOTE: Senator Chafee voted FOR this bill on the Senate floor, as an amendment to another bill on 2 March (Record Vote #26).

SOUTH CAROLINA
Senator Ernest "Fritz" Hollings (D)
Staff contact: Layth Elhassani
Phone number: 202-224-6121
District Office: (803) 765-5731
NOTE: Senator Hollings voted FOR this bill on the Senate floor, as an amendment to another bill on 2 March (Record Vote #26).

WEST VIRGINIA
Senator Robert C. Byrd (D)
Staff Contact: Kathleen Hatfield
Phone number: 202-224-3954
District office: (304) 342-5855
NOTE: Senator Byrd voted FOR this bill on the Senate floor, as an amendment to another bill on 2 March (Record Vote #26).

Senator John D. "Jay" Rockefeller (D)
Staff Contact: John Richards
Phone number: 202-224-6472
District office: (304) 347-5372
NOTE: Senator Rockefeller voted FOR this bill on the Senate floor, as an amendment to another bill on 2 March (Record Vote #26).

WISCONSIN
Senator Herbert H. Kohl (D)
Staff contact: Jeff Miller
Phone number: 202-224-5653
District office: (414) 297-4451
NOTE 1: Senator Kohl, a member of the Judiciary Committee voted AGAINST the F.O.P. on three out of four amendments to S. 253 considered by the Committee. Although Senator Kohl voted FOR S. 253 in Committee, he filed an independent minority view in the Committee's report stating that he would not support the bill's passage on the Senate floor unless it included an "opt out" provision for States. The breakdown of all the Committee votes can be found on the Grand Lodge website: http://www.grandlodgefop.org/legislation/S253action.html
NOTE 2: Senator Kohl voted FOR this bill on the Senate floor, as an amendment to another bill on 2 March (Record Vote #26).

Senator Russ Feingold (D)
Staff contact: Farhana Khera
Phone number: 202-224-5323
District office: (608) 828-1200
NOTE 1 : Senator Feingold, a member of the Judiciary Committee voted AGAINST the F.O.P. on all four amendments to S. 253 considered by the Committee, although he did vote FOR S. 253 in Committee. The breakdown of all the Committee votes can be found on the Grand Lodge website: http://www.grandlodgefop.org/legislation/S253action.html
NOTE 2: Senator Feingold voted FOR this bill on the Senate floor, as an amendment to another bill on 2 March (Record Vote #26).

Don't Delay--contact your Senators Today!!!

 

[mv577]

Urgent Alert from our friends at the Law Enforcement Alliance of
America (LEAA) www.leaa.org

H.R. 218 Passes Senate
The bill now heads to the President for his signature

LEAA's 12 year fight for 'National Concealed Carry for Cops' is finally
victorious in Congress. The Senate tonight passed H.R. 218 in a
unanimous consent agreement. The House passed the bill back on June 23rd and
it will now go to President Bush, who has indicated his strong support
for the bill. For more information visit LEAA''s web site at
www.leaa.org/218

 

[mpd61]

YEEHAHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:lol:
Let's see Kerry & Kennedy pissing themselves over this one!
:wink:

 

[phuzz01]

Anybody have any idea when this bill is supposed to hit the president's desk? Also, once he signs it, will it take effect immediately? I've checked the LEAA's HR218 page, but didn't see anything about that.

 

[mpd61]

W"SUP?

Anybody hear? I don't think the Media is going to trumpet too loudly about this one when the President signs it
:wink:

 

[tacmedic]

According to the website, there is nothing new. It will be interesting to see how long before the media does talk about it. You're right though, they may not mention it at all with all the other stuff going on around here.

 

[mpdcam]

Thursday July 22 it becomes law!!!! Woo Hoo!
It's about time.

 

[tacmedic]

That's great. Unfortunately some of us are not included in that....

 

[mpd61]

That's great. Unfortunately some of us are not included in that....

Yes,

I'm sorry for those of you left out in the cold. (Private entities & non-carrying depts)

 

[tacmedic]

Actually in the Coast Guard we're a Fed. L/E entity, just fall under different guidelines...

 

[mv577]

For anyone who's wondering... here is the criteria under HR218 to be considered a `qualified law enforcement officer':

`(c) As used in this section, the term `qualified law enforcement officer' means an employee of a governmental agency who--

`(1) 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;

`(2) is authorized by the agency to carry a firearm;

`(3) is not the subject of any disciplinary action by the agency;

`(4) meets standards, if any, established by the agency which require the employee to regularly qualify in the use of a firearm;

`(5) is not under the influence of alcohol or another intoxicating or hallucinatory drug or substance; and

`(6) is not prohibited by Federal law from receiving a firearm.

This is a huge victory for LEO's nation wide... and I bet it's pissing Kerry off to no end... which is icing on the cake

 

[ryan933]

I just called the office of Randy "Duke" Cunningham to thank him for all his work on HR218.

12 years is a long time to work on anything. He and the folks at LEAA deserve our gratitude.

Please take a minute to thank him..

======================
Randy "Duke" Cunningham
Washington Office
2350 Rayburn Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
CALL: (202) 225-5452
FAX: (202) 225-2558
======================


Ryan

 

[MassAcademyXO]

Does anyone know how this applies to Auxiliary Officers in towns that do carry and have powers of arrest? The Aux. Officers are "employed" by the town to perform the duties of a police officer but do not receive pay.

 

[MVS]

Does anyone know how this applies to Auxiliary Officers in towns that do carry and have powers of arrest? The Aux. Officers are "employed" by the town to perform the duties of a police officer but do not receive pay.

As MV said above
`(c) As used in this section, the term `qualified law enforcement officer' means an employee of a governmental agency who--

`(1) 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;

`(2) is authorized by the agency to carry a firearm;

`(3) is not the subject of any disciplinary action by the agency;

`(4) meets standards, if any, established by the agency which require the employee to regularly qualify in the use of a firearm;

`(5) is not under the influence of alcohol or another intoxicating or hallucinatory drug or substance; and

`(6) is not prohibited by Federal law from receiving a firearm.

My understanding is that it will be up to the Chief as to WHOM will be considered "Qualified"

 

[mv577]

So just so I am on the right page, now that President Bush has signed this does it mean that we can now carry in any state while off duty?

I believe it to be true Sir... quoted from the LEAA website:

H.R. 218 IS LAW!
NATIONAL CONCEALED CARRY FOR COPS
SIGNED BY THE PRESIDENT!

H.R. 218, "The Law Enforcement Officer's Safety Act"
is now national law!

LEAA WEBSITE