Barbara Boxer: “As we all know, law enforcement officers are never 'off duty.' They are dedicated public servants who are sworn to…”

“As we all know, law enforcement officers are never 'off duty.' They are dedicated public servants who are sworn to protect public safety at any time and place that the peace is threatened. They need all the help that they can get. That is why I am so proud to cosponsor this bipartisan amendment to allow off-duty and retired law enforcement officers to carry a firearm if they meet the same state firearms training and qualifications as an active officer. Today, there is a complex patchwork of Federal, State, and local laws that govern whether current and retired law enforcement officers can carry concealed firearms. This patchwork approach is confusing and ineffective. This amendment will establish a measure of uniformity and consistency across the country. Over 740,000 sworn law enforcement officers serve in this country. In the last decade alone, more than 1,700 law enforcement officers have been killed in the line of duty. That's an average of 170 deaths per year. And, roughly 5 percent of these were killed while taking law enforcement action in an off-duty capacity. Even the death of one police officer is unacceptable. We can and must do more to protect them, and that is why I support this amendment. It will increase the ability of law enforcement officers to protect themselves, their families, and our communities.”