On The Job Until the Fight was Won!

From co-authoring the original bill in 1992 to its passage in July 2004, LEAA has been on-duty 24-7 to help H.R. 218 become a reality. We have leveraged every possible media channel and resource to bring greater safety to cops across America, to their homes, families and neighborhoods. It has been a long fight, one that has demanded creativity as well as diligence. Most of all, it has required teamwork. LEAA has enjoyed the gracious support of our many Members and Supporters whose hard work and generous contributions have made this dream possible.

Here are just some of the many ways that LEAA has worked to make this happen:

The Original Cop-Carry Author
left to right: Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham with LEAA's Kevin Watson and Jim Fotis, prepare once more to testify before Congress in support of H.R. 218

Testimony Before Congress
LEAA Member Chief Johnson joins other law enforcement leaders testifying before Congress in support of both off-duty AND retired officers being allowed to carry concealed.

Capitol Hill Press Events
Part of the effort to drive attention and media interest in H.R. 218 involves press conferences, interview and media outreach. Here LEAA hosts another press conference on Capitol Hill.

Police Memorial Week Events
LEAA pauses during National Police Week to host another Capitol Hill press event with the message: how many more cops will die before Congress takes action?

Presenting Real-World Experience
In 1996, LEAA testifies before Congress in support of H.R. 218, offering the perspective of the officer on the beat. Here, LEAA Life Member Ed Nowicki recounts his first-hand experience where off-duty and armed with a firearm, he was able to thwart a criminal attack.

Palm Cards and Educational Materials
LEAA has developed a number of public education devices including full-page ads in police publications and educational materials like the H.R. 218 Palm Card above. LEAA distributed over a hundred thousand of these cards nationwide.

Magazines & Newsletters
The cover of LEAA's flagship magazine, Shield, proclaims that H.R. 218 achieved overwhelming bipartisan support on the House floor being approved as an amendment to the Juvenile Justice Bill by an impressive 372-53 vote on June 18, 2000.

Conferences and Lectures
LEAA Members often present, to the media and their fellow officers alike, important information including grass roots suggestions for H.R. 218. Here LEAA Member Chief Dave Johnson drums up support from fellow Iowa officers

LEAA Members Speaking Out
LEAA brings in pro self-defense and pro-cop Chiefs of Police to dispell the propaganda from anti-gun Chiefs. Here LEAA Director and former Chief of Police and satunch H.R. 218 advocate Rollin Kiser addresses the media one-on-one.

Reaching Every Home in America...
From the Fox News Channel to CNN, from Court TV to MSNBC, LEAA remains a widely sought-after source of expert commentary. LEAA uses its staff, Members and Directors to get the word out about H.R. 218.

LEAA on LETN
LEAA appears on Law Enforcement Television Network's (LETN) Command Center with Dave Smith, Director of Education, discussing H.R. 218. The broadcast was sent to approx 3,500 police departments and squad rooms across America.

Remembering What's at Stake...
Unlike many issues today, H.R. 218 is not about politics or governmental funding-- its about saving lives. H.R. 218 will allow over 1.5 million trained and qualified law enforcement professionals to maintain the same level of readiness and safety off the job as they do on. It will allow them to better respond to the needs of the community and more effectively rely on the training and instincts developed on the job; training that relies on the right equipment. H.R. 218 will go a long way to insuring that more officers like Oliver Smith, Jr. (below) end up at home at the end of the day, and not on a marble wall.