The Federal Law Enforcement Informer
Monthly Legal Resource and Commentary For Federal Law Enforcement Officers and Agents
Department of Homeland Security
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
Legal Training Division
July 2009
Concealed Carry by Qualified LEOs and Qualified Retired LEOs
By James Fedders
Intern, Legal Division
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
Introduction
In 2004, Congress passed and the President signed the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004 (LEOSA), Pub. L. No. 108-277, 118 Stat. 865 (2004), codified at 18 U.S.C. 926B, Carrying of concealed firearms by qualified law enforcement officers and 18 U.S.C. & 926C, Carrying of concealed firearms by qualified retired law enforcement officers. With explicit limitations and conditions, LEOSA exempts qualified active duty law enforcement officers (LEOs)(federal, state, and local), as well as qualified retired law enforcement officers from most state laws and local ordinances prohibiting the carrying of concealed firearms. Law enforcement officers are not exempt from federal laws or regulations, which regulate the carrying of firearms onto aircraft, federal property, federal buildings, and national parks. LEOSA does not confer upon law enforcement officers who are off-duty, or qualified retired law enforcement officers any federal law enforcement arrest authority.
Firearms
Under 92613(e), firearms which may be carried specifically do not include
(1) any machinegun as defined in 26 U.S.C. & 5845;
(2) any firearm silencer as defined in 18 U.S.C. & 921; and
(3) any destructive device as defined in 18 U.S.C. & 921.
Qualified Law Enforcement Officers
To be a qualified law enforcement officer under 92613(c) you must be
(1) a LEO in good standing of a government law enforcement agency;
(2) authorized and qualified to carry a firearm;
(3) not under the influence of alcohol or drugs; and
(4) not prohibited by federal law from possessing a firearm.
The Exemption and Limitations
Those LEOs who are qualified under 92613(c) and who are carrying photographic identification issued by the governmental agency for which the individual is employed as a law enforcement officer ( 92613(d)) are, while off-duty, exempt under 92613(a) from most state laws prohibiting the carrying of concealed firearms, subject to the express limitations in subsection 92613(b). State laws that allow private persons or entities to prohibit or restrict the possession of concealed firearms on their property remain valid. If state law prohibits it, qualified LEDs may not carry a concealed firearm on any State or local government property, installation, building, base, or park.
Qualified Retired Law Enforcement Officers
To be a qualified law retired enforcement officer under 926C(c) you must
(1) be a retired LEO in good standing (other than for reasons of mental instability) from a government law enforcement agency;
(2) have been authorized and qualified to carry a firearm before such retirement;
(3) have been a LEO for an aggregate of 15 years or more, or, after any applicable probationary period, retired on a service-connected disability;
(4) have nonforfeitable right to benefits under the retirement plan of the agency;
(5) have met, during the most recent 12-month period, at your own expense, the States standards for training and qualification for active law enforcement officers to carry firearms;
(6) not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs; and
(7) not be prohibited by federal law from possessing a firearm.
Required Photographic Identification
Qualified retired law enforcement officers must possess either
(1) photographic identification issued by the agency from which the individual retired that indicates that the individual has, not less recently than one year before the date the individual is carrying the concealed firearm, been tested or otherwise found by the agency to meet the standards established by the agency for training and qualification for active law enforcement officers to carry a firearm of the same type as the concealed firearm; or
(2) photographic identification issued by the agency from which the individual retired and firearms certification from the state equivalent to the above.
The Exemption and Limitations
Those retired LEDs who are qualified under 926C(c) and who are carrying the required photographic identification are exempt under 926C(a) from most state laws prohibiting the carrying of concealed firearms, subject to the express limitations in subsection 926C(b). State laws that allow private persons or entities to prohibit or restrict the possession of concealed firearms on their property remain valid. If state law prohibits it, qualified LEDs may not carry a concealed firearm on any State or local government property, installation, building, base, or park.
Potential Civil and Criminal Liability
Qualified off-duty law enforcement officers and qualified retired law enforcement officers are considered private citizens who have been granted a limited exemption from local laws against carrying a concealed firearm. Qualified federal law enforcement officers acting as a peace officer pursuant to state statutory authority are not acting within the scope of federal statutory authority. Therefore, they may not enjoy the immunities and protections normally available to a federal law enforcement officer. Absent state law immunities and protections, an individual who is carrying a concealed weapon under this statute and who uses that weapon may be personally, civilly liable for damages and injuries as well as subject to possible criminal liability.
Cases
Since LEOSA was only signed into law in 2004, there have been only a few cases dealing with it. Two cases deal with active duty LEOs and 926B.
In the People of the State of New York v. Booth, 862 N.Y.S.2d 767 (2008), defendant was pulled over by the police for speeding. The officer checked defendants license and registration, learned of a pending warrant for the defendant, that defendants drivers license was suspended, and that defendants passenger did not have a valid license. After requesting a tow for the vehicle, the officer began to inventory its contents and found a loaded handgun under the drivers seat. Defendant stated that he did not have a license to possess a firearm but stated that he had a waiver from the United States Coast Guard to use the firearm to practice.
Based on testimony that defendant was a member of the Coast Guard and was permitted to carry a weapon and generally take part in law enforcement duties as part of his duties as a boarding officer, and the Coast Guard identification found in his possession at the time, the court held that defendant was exempt under 926B(a) from prosecution even though he possessed a handgun for which he had no license. The court dismissed the indictment.
In State of South Dakota, County of Meade v. Ronald Smith et. al. (Circuit Court, Fourth Judicial Circuit Crim. No. 08-829; 08-830; 08-832) (2008), the defendants included Ronald Smith, Detective with the Seattle Washington Police Department, Dennis McCoy, Sergeant with the Seattle Washington Police Department, and Scott Lazalde and James Rector, both law enforcement officers with the U.S. Customs and Border protection Service in Blaine, Washington. They, along with other members of the Iron Pigs Motorcycle Club were socializing at the Roadhouse when they were involved in an altercation with members of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club. All defendants were carrying concealed pistols at the time. Defendants were arrested and charged with carrying a concealed weapon in violation of state law. The defendants argued that the indictment fails to describe a public offense concerning Smith, McCoy, Rector and Lazalde as they carried concealed weapons legally due under 18 U.S.C. 926B.
According to the court, the federal law is clear in its intent to preempt state laws unless either of the exceptions in [ 926B] (b) (1) or (2) apply. While states retain the right to prohibit the possession of firearms on government property and to permit private persons and entities to prohibit the possession of firearms on their property, they cannot restrict qualified law enforcement officers in any other manner. It is beyond dispute that defendants, Smith, McCoy, Rector, and Lazalde are qualified law enforcement officers. They were qualified to carry firearms, and at the time in question; they were not under the influence of alcohol or any other drug; they possessed photographic identification issued by their respective employers.
The court also referenced the Memorandum from the Office of the Attorney General on the Application of the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004 to various Directors of Federal Agencies, January 31, 2005, 70 Fed. Reg. 42 10673, 10674 (March 4, 2005), and cited the South Dakota Attorney General explanation.
One recent case, State of New Jersey v. Andros, 958 A.2d 78 (2008), deals with the rights of a retired officer under 926C.
Andros had been a city police officer from 1968 to 2003, and retired in 2003 in good standing. The trial court granted the states application to revoke appellants firearm permit based on at least four incidents that involved him threatening or actually brandishing the handgun he carried. The trial court found that appellant did not possess the appropriate restraint, judgment, and plain good common sense to avoid confrontations in situations in which it was possible and advisable to do so. Based on the federal preemption under 926C, Andros challenged both the denial of his motion to dismiss the application and the determination on the merits. The appellate court found no error, concluding that the trial court properly found good cause for revocation of appellants license based on his conduct. The court further held that 926C did not prevent the state from revoking the permit of a retired police officer as there was no intent on the part of the United States Congress to preempt the action taken by the state in the case. (Arguably, Andros cannot meet the states standards for qualification and training absent a license to carry.)
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James E. Fedders came to the Legal Division from January to April, 2009, as a visiting LLM student from the Washington College of Law at American University.
Jim began his government career as a Naval Flight Officer in 1971 and retired in 1999, as a Senior Special Agent, U.S. Customs Service. Jim also served as a firearms instructor and boat captain for the U.S. Customs Service. Jim is a distinguished honor graduate from the FLETC and briefly served as an instructor in the Driver and Marine Division leaving the position to attend law school.
Jims education includes B.S. in Biology from St. Marys College of Maryland and an MIA in Forensic Science from The George Washington University in Washington D. C. Jim received his JD in 2008 after attending law school at the American University, the University of Hawaii, and the New England School of Law.
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