H.R. 218: SPECIAL UDPATE
May 2002

H.R. 218, the national concealed carry proposal for qualified off-duty and retired law enforcement, turned seven years old a few weeks ago. It would have been an anniversary worth celebrating if the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee would have allowed the life-saving measure to be voted on- and likely passed in the full House of Representative where it has more than 250 congressional co-sponsors. But Congressman James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) continues to hold H.R. 218 hostage despite that fact that more than 100 police groups—including the FOP—support the legislation.

Chairman Sensenbrenner has made it a priority to keep the bill from ever going anywhere as long as he is in power. LEAA has learned that Chairman Sensenbrenner opposes the bill and refuses to give it a simple hearing in the Crime Subcommittee. The bill has not received a single hearing in this Judiciary Committee.

Chairman Sensenbrenner has made it clear to everyone that he thinks H.R. 218 “is a terrible bill.” Efforts to discuss the legislative measure with him were ignored. After the September 11 terrorist attacks an idea to add H.R. 218 as an amendment to the Patriot Act surfaced. However, Sensenbrenner derailed that effort after he apparently warned Members of the Judiciary Committee that anyone offering H.R. 218 as an amendment would find their own legislative priorities sidelined.

After a six-month battle with Rep. Sensenbrenner, LEAA’s loyal friend and H.R. 218 sponsor—Rep. Duke Cunningham (R-CA) —did the only thing he could to keep H.R. 218 alive. Rep. Cunningham filed a discharge petition, a last resort when trying to resuscitate legislation. To be successful, 218 Members of Congress must sign the petition in order for the bill to be pulled out of its committee of jurisdiction and brought to the house floor for a vote. The same tactic was successfully used to resurrect the House campaign finance reform bill.

There is a chance GOP leadership may have no choice but to put pressure on Rep. Sensenbrenner to bring the bill up for a hearing, despite his aversion, if there is insurmountable support for it. So your efforts are more critical than ever and we encourage you to contact you congressional representatives and urge them to sign the H.R. 218 discharge petition right away.

H.R. 218 lead sponsor, Rep. Duke Cunningham hosted a news conference in the nation’s capital to scold Chairman Sensenbrenner’s abduction of national concealed carry for law enforcement. LEAA’s Jim Fotis (at podium), co-author of H.R. 218, joined Congressman Cunningham (at far right) at that news conference on Capitol Hill to call on congressional leaders to sign the discharge petition and force H.R. 218 out of the Judiciary Committee. Rep. Cunningham and Fotis were joined by Rep. Virgil Goode (second from right) and LEAA Board Member Joe DeBergalis, Jr. (second from left) and Don Baldwin, Executive Director, National Law Enforcement Council (far left).

Fotis asked: “How many more cops must die before H.R. 218—a bill supported by an overwhelming majority of this Congress—gets a hearing, a vote and is signed into law?”

H.R. 218, would allow an estimated 1.5 million qualified active and retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms nationwide, at no cost to the taxpayers.

If enacted into law if would potentially prevent numerous crimes and save many lives, as it did for one retired officer in New Jersey who nabbed a suspect -- a would be cop killer -- after retrieving the handgun and handcuffs from a fallen officer who had just been shot.

Fotis added: “Law enforcement knows all too well that no legislation will ever stop a homicidal maniac; you can't outlaw homicidal intent. But we can—and should—pass legislation that ensures those with the training and willingness to protect us will have the needed tools to intervene when tragedy strikes.”