Legislative Update

Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act Improvements

Before Congress adjourned for midterm elections, the House approved the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act Improvements Act of 2010 (S. 1132).

This is an important victory for NAPO. Since this legislations inception, NAPO has lobbied countless hours for the passage of this bill into law. As far back as 2004, NAPO’s Executive Director William Johnson testified before the House Subcommittee On Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security. Through the 110^th and 111^th Congress, NAPO has worked hard for passage of this key legislation.

NAPO reported in May of this year the Senate passed S.1132 by Unanimous Consent. This legislation will reduce the number of years a retired or separated law enforcement officer has had to serve in order to qualify to carry, from 15 years to an aggregate of 10 years or more.  Additionally, The Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act Improvements also designate new qualification procedures that will make the process easier for a retired or separated law enforcement officer to meet the requirements of firearms training.

On September 29, 2010, the House of Representatives agreed by voice vote to pass the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act Improvements Act of 2010.  S.1132 is being sent over for the President to sign into public law.

NAPO firmly believes that S.1132 will help to ensure that all qualified off-duty and retired or separated officers across the nation will be able to carry firearms for the protection of themselves, their families and our nation’s communities.