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For Immediate Release |
Contact: Ted Deeds |
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Police Group Asks Congress, "How Many More Cops Must Die?" Life Saving Legislative Priority of Rank and File Cops Stalled in Congress
Washington - As America marks the ultimate sacrifices made by men and women in blue during National Police Week, one law enforcement group is placing at least some blame, squarely at the feet of Congress. The Law Enforcement Alliance of America (LEAA) suggests that Congress' failure to enact life-saving legislation that would allow qualified off duty and retired officers to carry their firearms in all 50 states, is partly responsible. While the nation mourns officers killed in the line of duty and the capitol is filled with officers from across the country, politicians will make speeches, thanking and claiming support for the men and women who risk their lives to keep our neighborhoods safe. Next week, after the tears and the speeches, Congress will return to business as usual, and that business includes keeping the number one legislative priority of America's law enforcement officers on the back burner. H.R. 218, The Law Enforcement Officers' Safety Act, (S.253 in the Senate) has overwhelming bi-partisan support, on paper. Some 291 Members of the House of Representatives and 68 Senators have signed on as cosponsors. Yet despite the bi-partisan backing which includes members of leadership from both sides of the aisle, this life-saving legislation has languished in Congress for more than a decade. Backed by virtually every organization representing the rank and file law enforcement officers, this legislation has yet to receive even a simple hearing in the House of Representatives in the last five years, despite having a majority of the Members of Congress signed on as cosponsors in the 108th, 107th and 106th Congresses. Across the country, officers for whom H.R. 218 is the highest legislative priority, are fed up with Congress' failure to take real action in support of the officers on the street. Said one LEAA member, a patrol officer who asked not to be identified, "Our guy [Congressional Representative] told me that he agrees with me on this issue, but that's all he's done, imagine if police officers simply told the citizens they protect, 'hey, we agree with you that we don't like bad guys, but don't expect us to actually take action,' well just agreeing with me isn't enough to get my vote." LEAA Executive Director Jim Fotis, a highly decorated retired officer, pleaded to Congressional leadership to take action, or risk alienating the public safety community. Said Fotis, "Don't come asking for support in November when you've done nothing in the last two years to advance the number one legislative priority of rank and file law enforcement." For more information about H.R. 218 or S. 253 please go to: http://leaa.org/218/ ## END ## With over 75,000 Members and Supporters nationwide, the Law Enforcement Alliance of America (LEAA) is the nation’s largest coalition of law enforcement professionals, crime victims, and concerned citizens dedicated to making America safer.
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