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For Immediate Release
July 22, 2004
www.leaa.org
President Bush Signs Historic
'National Concealed Carry for Cops' Into Law
New law will arm nearly 1.5 million off duty and retired officers
Washington DC - This morning the Law Enforcement Alliance of America (LEAA) joined with other national law enforcement leaders at the White House to witness President Bush signing the historic 'National Concealed Carry for Cops' into law.
Today's signature by President Bush closes a chapter in a 12 year long effort by the Law Enforcement Alliance of America (LEAA) and Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-CA) to save cops' lives and protect our communities. First proposed by LEAA and Congressman Cunningham in 1992, this law will allow qualified off duty and retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms in all 50 states.
LEAA Executive Director and retired New York police officer James J. Fotis, noted the importance of the signing. "Today, President Bush took a historic step in advancing homeland security and public safety by signing the National Concealed Carry for Cops law." Privately, when conferring with the President after the signing, LEAA and the President agreed that lives will be saved by this new law.
The law, first drafted in 1992 by Congressman Cunningham and LEAA has become the number one legislative priority of America's rank and file police officers and is also backed by nearly every national organization representing rank and file law enforcement officers. Fotis, along with other leaders from America's law enforcement community and key members of Congress were at the President's side as he signed this unprecedented, life saving legislation.
Many members of the pro-Second Amendment community properly recognize this new law as the single biggest legislative gain in the effort to expand "Right-to-Carry." Said Fotis, "Under this new law, off duty and retired officers will be carrying their firearms, in effect, as 'civilians;' they won't be out patrolling and making arrests. These folks will use their firearms to defend themselves and others from violent attacks -- exactly the same way that armed civilians employ their concealed guns in the nearly 40 states that allow honest, law-abiding civilians to carry concealed." Fotis went on to make clear, "Just as we have seen time and time again with civilians who safely and responsibly carry concealed guns because of Right-to-Carry, I believe the brave men and women of law enforcement that can now carry the tools of their trade will help make America more secure."
Fotis added, "America's men and women in blue have always known that President Bush stands shoulder to shoulder with them in the fight for public safety and homeland security. By signing this law, the President is making an unprecedented effort to support our nation's protectors after their shift or tour of duty has ended."
LEAA points out for the record, that while President George Bush has unequivocally demonstrated his support of Law Enforcement, including his action today on H.R. 218, just three months ago, Senator John Kerry (D-MA) made a special effort to leave the campaign trail, returning to the Senate to vote against this bill. On March 2, 2204, Senator Kerry, against the wishes of the law enforcement community, voted to kill the Senate version of H.R. 218 by voting for 'poison pill' amendments.
For more information about 'National Concealed Carry for Cops' visit the LEAA website at www.leaa.org/218 (photos and background information available)
With more than 75,000 Members and supporters, Law Enforcement Alliance of America is the nation's largest coalition of law enforcement, crime victims, and concerned citizens dedicated to making America safer.
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THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS' SAFETY ACT SIGNED INTO LAW BY PRESIDENT BUSH!
Chuck Canterbury, National President of the Grand Lodge, Fraternal Order of Police, proudly announced that President George W. Bush signed H.R. 218, the "Law Enforcement Officers' Safety Act" into law earlier today.
"Today's triumph was the result of a long, hard-fought battle," Canterbury said. "The Fraternal Order of Police has been working toward this day for over ten years. With the stroke of his pen, the President has made real the hopes of law enforcement officers across the nation."
The legislation, sponsored by Representative Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-CA), was passed by the House in June, and then by the Senate earlier this month. It exempts qualified active and retired law enforcement officers from State and local prohibitions with respect to the carrying of concealed firearms.
Canterbury and F.O.P. Executive Director Jim Pasco were the only law enforcement representatives to meet with the President in the Oval Office before the bill signing. "The President has truly made this country a safer place," said Canterbury after the ceremony. "By enacting this legislation, President Bush has ensured that when officers are confronted with a situation to which they must react, they have the tools necessary to ensure their own safety, and the safety of their families and the public they have been sworn to protect."
Now that the measure has been signed into law, active and retired law enforcement officers will be able to carry their firearms even when traveling outside their own jurisdictions. The bill, which was the F.O.P.'s top legislative priority, had wide, bipartisan support in both the House and Senate during its consideration in the Congress.
"There are many people to whom we owe a debt of gratitude today. Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-CO), and Representatives Tom DeLay (R-TX) and Duke Cunningham (R-CA) were all instrumental in moving the bill through the legislative process. We are especially grateful to President Bush, a true friend to law enforcement. Without his tireless support, we would not be here today. But most importantly, we owe our thanks to all those F.O.P. members who have worked so hard to achieve this goal."
The Fraternal Order of Police is the largest law enforcement labor organization in the United States, with more than 318,000 members.
July 22, 2004
www.leaa.org
President Bush Signs Historic
'National Concealed Carry for Cops' Into Law
New law will arm nearly 1.5 million off duty and retired officers
Washington DC - This morning the Law Enforcement Alliance of America (LEAA) joined with other national law enforcement leaders at the White House to witness President Bush signing the historic 'National Concealed Carry for Cops' into law.
Today's signature by President Bush closes a chapter in a 12 year long effort by the Law Enforcement Alliance of America (LEAA) and Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-CA) to save cops' lives and protect our communities. First proposed by LEAA and Congressman Cunningham in 1992, this law will allow qualified off duty and retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms in all 50 states.
LEAA Executive Director and retired New York police officer James J. Fotis, noted the importance of the signing. "Today, President Bush took a historic step in advancing homeland security and public safety by signing the National Concealed Carry for Cops law." Privately, when conferring with the President after the signing, LEAA and the President agreed that lives will be saved by this new law.
The law, first drafted in 1992 by Congressman Cunningham and LEAA has become the number one legislative priority of America's rank and file police officers and is also backed by nearly every national organization representing rank and file law enforcement officers. Fotis, along with other leaders from America's law enforcement community and key members of Congress were at the President's side as he signed this unprecedented, life saving legislation.
Many members of the pro-Second Amendment community properly recognize this new law as the single biggest legislative gain in the effort to expand "Right-to-Carry." Said Fotis, "Under this new law, off duty and retired officers will be carrying their firearms, in effect, as 'civilians;' they won't be out patrolling and making arrests. These folks will use their firearms to defend themselves and others from violent attacks -- exactly the same way that armed civilians employ their concealed guns in the nearly 40 states that allow honest, law-abiding civilians to carry concealed." Fotis went on to make clear, "Just as we have seen time and time again with civilians who safely and responsibly carry concealed guns because of Right-to-Carry, I believe the brave men and women of law enforcement that can now carry the tools of their trade will help make America more secure."
Fotis added, "America's men and women in blue have always known that President Bush stands shoulder to shoulder with them in the fight for public safety and homeland security. By signing this law, the President is making an unprecedented effort to support our nation's protectors after their shift or tour of duty has ended."
LEAA points out for the record, that while President George Bush has unequivocally demonstrated his support of Law Enforcement, including his action today on H.R. 218, just three months ago, Senator John Kerry (D-MA) made a special effort to leave the campaign trail, returning to the Senate to vote against this bill. On March 2, 2204, Senator Kerry, against the wishes of the law enforcement community, voted to kill the Senate version of H.R. 218 by voting for 'poison pill' amendments.
For more information about 'National Concealed Carry for Cops' visit the LEAA website at www.leaa.org/218 (photos and background information available)
With more than 75,000 Members and supporters, Law Enforcement Alliance of America is the nation's largest coalition of law enforcement, crime victims, and concerned citizens dedicated to making America safer.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS' SAFETY ACT SIGNED INTO LAW BY PRESIDENT BUSH!
Chuck Canterbury, National President of the Grand Lodge, Fraternal Order of Police, proudly announced that President George W. Bush signed H.R. 218, the "Law Enforcement Officers' Safety Act" into law earlier today.
"Today's triumph was the result of a long, hard-fought battle," Canterbury said. "The Fraternal Order of Police has been working toward this day for over ten years. With the stroke of his pen, the President has made real the hopes of law enforcement officers across the nation."
The legislation, sponsored by Representative Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-CA), was passed by the House in June, and then by the Senate earlier this month. It exempts qualified active and retired law enforcement officers from State and local prohibitions with respect to the carrying of concealed firearms.
Canterbury and F.O.P. Executive Director Jim Pasco were the only law enforcement representatives to meet with the President in the Oval Office before the bill signing. "The President has truly made this country a safer place," said Canterbury after the ceremony. "By enacting this legislation, President Bush has ensured that when officers are confronted with a situation to which they must react, they have the tools necessary to ensure their own safety, and the safety of their families and the public they have been sworn to protect."
Now that the measure has been signed into law, active and retired law enforcement officers will be able to carry their firearms even when traveling outside their own jurisdictions. The bill, which was the F.O.P.'s top legislative priority, had wide, bipartisan support in both the House and Senate during its consideration in the Congress.
"There are many people to whom we owe a debt of gratitude today. Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-CO), and Representatives Tom DeLay (R-TX) and Duke Cunningham (R-CA) were all instrumental in moving the bill through the legislative process. We are especially grateful to President Bush, a true friend to law enforcement. Without his tireless support, we would not be here today. But most importantly, we owe our thanks to all those F.O.P. members who have worked so hard to achieve this goal."
The Fraternal Order of Police is the largest law enforcement labor organization in the United States, with more than 318,000 members.
