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A Brief Summary of H.R. 218 and S. 253 Police combat violent criminals every day, in every corner of the nation. These brave law enforcement professionals are issued firearms in recognition of the grave risks associated with this duty. Through training and experience, stepping in to save a citizen in distress often becomes second nature, on the job or off. There are countless incidents where off-duty and retired officers put themselves in jeapordy to save lives and stop violent crimes. These professionals are entrusted with the public safety day-in and day-out, some with over 20 years of service wearing a badge. Yet some jurisdictions don't trust them to carry a firearm the moment they are off the clock! In this age of terrorism, America has never faced a greater need to have more watchful eyes on the street-- people with the skills, training and equipment necessary to stop a developing situation before it becomes a disaster. It was with foresight to this need that Representative Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-CA) and LEAA's Executive Director Jim Fotis co-authored H.R. 218 almost ten years ago. Cunningham and Fotis jointly recognized the immediate, no-cost benefit to the community of simply allowing trustworthy officers to carry a concealed firearm full-time. The life-saving benefits extend to the officers as well. Unlike cops, criminals are "on duty" around the clock. Many have knowingly targeted police officers and their families, recognizing that the officer was likely to be unarmed at home. Corporal Lawrence was on his way home when confronted by "revolving door" felons who walked out of the criminal justice system just as quickly as they had been hauled in. These monsters attacked the officer without warning or mercy. Lacking the most fundamental defensive tool an officer can carry, Corporal Lawrence was helplessly gunned down. He was the first LEAA Member to be killed in the line of duty. Will H.R. 218 Save Lives? The Evidence says YES! Off-duty police officer Robert Clark found himself caught in the middle of the Santee, CA school shooting. Fortunate to live in a jurisdiction that recognizes the value of allowing off-duty officers the choice of arming themselves, Officer Clark identified himself as a police officer, drew his handgun and confronted the armed killer. He forced the killer to surrender, saving countless children and adults from death or grievous injury. H.R. 218 will bring this same level of added protection to the entire nation. March 2004: The Senate Votes 91-8 to Allow National Cop Carry! The vital importance of this bill is no secret. On March 2nd, 2004, the U.S. Senate voted 91-8 in favor of Nationwide Police Concealed Carry and amended S.253 to S. 1805. Sadly, politics-as-usual won the day as S. 1805 was intentionally "poisoned" by anti-cop legislators who knowingly piled so many unacceptable "poison pill" amendments onto S. 1805 that it was ultimately withdrawn. But the truth lives on-- Armed officers, on-duty or off, provide greater safety and security to themselves, their families and their communities. July 2004: H.R. 218 Becomes Law Recognizing the clear and immeasurable safety benefits to police officers, their families and communities, Congress passed H.R. 218 with an overwhelming majority and the bill was signed into law by President George W. Bush on July 22, 2004. |
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From California to New York, officers came to show support for H.R. 218 at the May 13, 2003 press conference held on Capitol Hill. LEAA's Jim Fotis and Representative Randy "Duke" Cunningham briefed the assembled crowd on the most recent progress and the bright future of this vital legislation. |
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IF YOU HAVE ANY STORIES INVOLVING OFF-DUTY OR RETIRED COPS IN DANGER WHO USED THEIR FIREARM TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY, PLEASE DROP US AN EMAIL WITH SPECIFIC DETAILS SO WE CAN SHARE THESE HEROIC EFFORTS |
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