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Police Union Endorses Concealed Firearms Legislation
Josey1
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Police Union Endorses Concealed Firearms Legislation Jim Burns, CNSNews.com Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2001 CNSNews.com -- The Fraternal Order of Police, one of the largest law enforcement labor organizations in America, said it fully endorses a bill that would allow off-duty and retired law enforcement officers the right to carry concealed firearms, even when they travel outside their jurisdictions."I keep hearing from my members, from the more than 299,000 men and women of the Fraternal Order of Police, that we need this bill now, especially in light of the terrorist attacks on the United States," said FOP President Steve Young in a statement.The bill, called the "Community Protection Act," was introduced in the House by Rep. Duke Cunningham, R-Calif. The legislation has around 207 co-sponsors, eleven shy of a House majority.Cunningham is now circulating a discharge petition among his House colleagues, according to his spokesperson Harmony Allen. If Cunningham receives enough signatures, it could force House Judiciary Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., to release the committee's hold on the bill.Capitol Hill insiders say it is highly unusual for a member of the majority party to offer a discharge petition, because the maneuver usually threatens the majority party's control of House floor action. The minority party usually circulates discharge petitions.Cunningham said he has no alternative because he thinks Sensenbrenner is refusing to act on his bill."Too often police officers come upon situations where they can prevent violent crimes and save lives but aren't able to defend themselves and protect those around them," Cunningham said. "Thousands of equipped, trained and certified officers will now be allowed to continually serve and protect our communities regardless of jurisdiction, and at no cost to taxpayers."Sensenbrenner told Roll Call, a Capitol Hill newpaper, he thinks Cunningham's bill could potentially kick off a wide-open gun debate in the Senate, where gun control forces are stronger. He also said the bill would abrogate current laws in 17 states."I'm disappointed that Duke would this. There is just a limit to the amount of things that the committee can do," Sensenbrenner told Roll Call.Sensenbrenner said the House Judiciary Committee has already acted on terrorism, bankruptcy reform and broadband legislation, as well as a flag-burning amendment sponsored by Cunningham. The Law Enforcement Association of America and National Association of Police Organizations also endorse Cunningham's bill.But the International Association of Chiefs of Police opposes it, based on the issue of federal versus state control."The IACP believes it is essential that state governments maintain the ability to legislate concealed carry laws that best fit the needs of their communities," said the IACP in a statement. "This applies to laws covering private citizens as well as active or former federal, state, and local law enforcement personnel."The IACP also thinks allowing off-duty and retired police officers to carry concealed firearms would make it confusing for local officers in some cases, with potentially tragic results.If a police officer from another jurisdiction pulled out a gun to stop a crime, for instance, a local officer might mistake his fellow policeman for a criminal.The IACP said, "This legislation would do little to improve the safety of communities. It is important to remember that a police officer's authority to enforce the law is limited to the jurisdiction in which they serve. An officer, upon leaving his jurisdiction, has no arrest powers or other authority to enforce the law. That is the responsibility of the local law enforcement agencies." Copyright CNSNews.com All Rights Reserved http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2001/11/7/64149.shtml
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