Angie Craig: “The legislation exempts qualified active and retired law enforcement officers from State and local prohibitions on the…”

“The legislation exempts qualified active and retired law enforcement officers from State and local prohibitions on the carrying of concealed firearms. What this means is that active and retired police officers will be able to carry their firearms virtually anywhere in the U.S. without having to worry about violating any local or State gun laws. The bill is noncontroversial and enjoys wide, bipartisan support in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate bill, S. 253, passed the Judiciary Committee in March 2003 on an 18 to 1 vote. The bill has 67 cosponsors, including Majority Leader Bill Frist, Minority Leader Tom Daschle, and every other member of the Senate leadership from both sides of the aisle. Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, a former law enforcement officer, is offering the amendment along with Judiciary Committee Chairman Orrin G. Hatch, Ranking Member Patrick J. Leahy, and Minority Whip Harry Reid. The House bill, H.R. 218, has 286 cosponsors. In addition to a House majority, the bill has a majority of both the full Judiciary Committee and the subcommittee of jurisdiction. In 1999, the House passed a nearly identical measure as an amendment to another bill by an overwhelming 372 to 53 majority. This isn't a 'firearms issue'--it is an officer safety issue. And, on 11 September 2001, it became a critical public safety and homeland security issue.”