Police Magazine
Bills to Let Officers and LE Retirees Carry in No-Gun Zones Reintroduced in Congress
The legislation would permit LEOSA-qualified officers and law enforcement retirees to carry in state, local, and private property otherwise open to the public; national parks; certain federal public access facilities; and school zones.
March 25, 2025
Legislation to reform the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) to expand officer and qualified retired officer carry rights has been reintroduced in the Senate and the House.
The Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) Reform Act (S.679) was reintroduced last week by Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) and Senator John Kennedy (R-LA). It was reintroduced in the House by Representative Donald J. Bacon (R-NE) and Representative Henry Cuellar (D-TX) reintroduced the “LEOSA Reform Act” in the House.
If passed and signed into law the legislation would permit LEOSA-qualified officers and law enforcement retirees to carry in state, local, and private property otherwise open to the public; national parks; certain federal public access facilities; and school zones. The bill also extends the exemption to magazine capacity and would allow active and retired law enforcement officers to access services in U.S. Post Offices, Social Security Administration offices, Veterans Affairs offices, or other Federal facilities without disarming or securing their firearms elsewhere.
“There’s no need to restrict the ability of qualified, well-trained law enforcement officers from being able to provide another level of protection for our communities. This legislation would cut through some of the unnecessary red tape involving concealed-carry rights for police officers,” Senator Hyde-Smith said.
“Day in and day out, our brave law enforcement officers put their lives on the line to keep Americans safe—even when they’re retired or off-duty. The LEOSA Reform Act would help empower cops to keep our communities safe by expanding their rights to carry concealed firearms in public places,” said Senator Kennedy.
The LEOSA Reform Act is supported by the National Association of Police Organizations, National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), National Fraternal Order of Police, National District Attorneys Association, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, New York Police Department (NYPD) Sergeants Benevolent Association, Major Cities Chiefs Association, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, Major County Sheriffs of America and the National Sheriffs’ Association.
“In the previous Congress, this bill passed the House on a bipartisan vote,” said Patrick Yoes, national president of the Fraternal Order of Police. “I look forward to working with our partners and repeating that success.”