Police Groups, Push CCW bill for LE ONLY

Josey1

Police Groups, Congressman Push Discharge Petition for Concealed
Carry Bill for Law Enforcement
To: National Desk, Law Reporter
Contact: Kevin H. Watson of the Law Enforcement Alliance of
America, 703-847-2677

WASHINGTON, May 8 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Just days before the
beginning of National Police Week in Washington D.C., Congressman
Duke Cunningham and colleagues joined leaders from national police
organizations to call on Congress to pass H.R. 218 -- the concealed
carry bill for law enforcement.

Law Enforcement Alliance of America Executive Director Jim
Fotis, a retired police officer from New York who helped draft the
original legislation over 7 years ago asked Congress, "how many
more cops must die before H.R. 218 -- A bill supported by an
overwhelming majority of this Congress -- gets a hearing, a vote
and is signed into law?" Fotis' questions to Congress come days
before thousand of police officers and their families will be in
Washington to honor those fellow officers killed in the line of
duty.

H.R. 218, the "Community Protection Act", would allow an
estimated 1.5 million qualified active and retired law enforcement
officers to carry concealed firearms nationwide, at no cost to the
taxpayers. Also speaking on behalf of H.R. 218 was Donald Baldwin,
Executive Director of the National Law Enforcement Council.

LEAA Executive Director Fotis spoke of the pressing need for
H.R. 218 in a post September 11th environment, "H.R. 218 is the
original homeland security bill, and with an estimated 75 percent
of our nation's police officers off duty at any given time, this
bill will dramatically increase our nation's safety and security,
24 hours a day, 7 days a week at no cost to the tax payers -- H.R.
218 is a no-brainer."

H.R. 218 has overwhelming support from police officers and
organizations across the country. Further, an overwhelming 250
Members of Congress are currently cosponsoring H.R. 218. Yet with
all this support, the bill has not received a single hearing in the
Judiciary Committee. Supporters seeking to get past the
obstruction of Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner are pushing
a discharge petition.

To schedule an interview with Fotis, call 703-847-2677

With over 65,000 members and supporters nation-wide, the Law
Enforcement Alliance of America (LEAA) is the nation's largest
coalition of law enforcement professionals, crime victims, and
concerned citizens dedicated to making America safer. Visit the
web site at www.leaa.org

http://www.usnewswire.com
-0-
/U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/
05/08 06:45

http://www.usnewswire.com/topnews/first/0508-102.html

"If cowardly and dishonorable men sometimes shoot unarmed men with army pistols or guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary and gallows, and not by a general deprivation of a constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878

salzo

Great idea. Lets FEDERALIZE all of the local police in this country.A GIAN FEDERAL POLICE FORCE. Congress has no authority to tell states they HAVE to allow LEOS to enter their states armed. If the FEDS want to enforce the Second amendment AGAINST the states, and require the states to allow people to exercise their right to bear arms freely,anywhere and any time they want, then I have no problem with LEOS going anywhere armed. But if I cant carry anywhere I want, I do not see why police should be allowed to carry wherever they want.

Happiness is a warm gun

idsman75

How about that extra bag of peanuts that some of them get on the airplan? heh heh heh....stir stir stir
SSG idsman75, U.S. ARMY

Edited by - idsman75 on 05/09/2002 14:41:55

Alpine

Salzo: This is long past due. And yes the Feds do have the authority to tell the states to do this. It has nothing to do with federalizing local police. It just makes states, recongize the right to carry, from another state. I would look at this as a stepping stone to make CCW for others, nation wide also.
Imagine driving across a state line and suddenly your drivers license was not valid. I see more similarties than differances.

mudge

I'll make this as succinct as I can.

WHAT SAXON SAID!!!

Mudge the brief

I can't come to work today. The voices said, STAY HOME AND CLEAN THE GUNS!

Lowrider

Here we go again with "retired law enforcement officers." A retired law enforcement officer is a private citizen, nothing more, nothing less. So if this passes we'll have various classes of private citizens? Some with privileges that others don't have?

Horse *.

Lord Lowrider the LoquaciousMember:Secret Select Society of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets She was only a fisherman's daughter,But when she saw my rod she reeled.

salzo

ALPINE- Where in the constitution does it say that the Federal government can do this? If you know of some other reason that the Feds have this authority, notwithstanding the constitution, what is it?
And arming government employess is never a step in the right direction. In effect, the government is saying it is OK that we the government can arm ourselves, and that does nothing to give us subjects hope for having our right to bear arms recognized.

Happiness is a warm gun

Alpine

Saxon: How many times have you have to change your phone number from death threats? I have, and only recently again, and I have been retired ten years.
You think that LEO's are ever "off duty"? By policy and procedure this is not the case. You think that "off duty" LEO's are the same as private citizens. No. LEO's are professional witnesses and have recieved extensive training in stressful situtations. After an incident, or during, who is going to be the cooler head, better tactial thinker?
I know I will not convince you, however I have been there and done that.
Just my 2 cents. Your milage may vary.

Alpine

Is your drivers license good for more than the state issued? What federal law mandated that this be the case? There you will find the answer.

njretcop

Lowrider, apparently here in NJ, there is a different class of citizen, and the police have had no say in it. Since I first received my CCW, it has changed now to read "Retired Law Enforcement Officer" and is not subject to any restrictions like a cilivan carry permit.

I repeat, this was not any doing of mine or my brother retired officers. It was a decision made by politicians for reasons known best to them.

It still sucks to live in NJ. I agree with the long overdue passage of HR 218 as you might expect. I do believe it is a stepping stone to national carry for everyone. I will never give up the battle for national carry, hence the reason I am a member of so many pro Second Amendment organizations.

I ask you please, do not let this drive any wedges between us as friends and members of this board. Besides it may not pass, then you and my GOOD friends Salzo and Mudge would feel bad, lol.

Warmest regards,
Charlie

"It's the stuff dreams are made of Angel"NRA Certified Firearms InstructorMember: GOA, RKBA, NJSPBA, NJ area rep for the 2ndAMPD. njretcop@copmail.com

Edited by - njretcop on 05/09/2002 15:24:50

idsman75

Drivers licenses and marriage licenses have to be recognized from one state to the next. Why not CCW's? The fact that one person has received death threats and another person has not does not make the second less eligible to have the right to carry. How many people get warnings before they are murdered? At least the person who received the death threat knew of the danger and was more aware of what could happen. If a cop can carry then so should anyone else. Cops aren't the only ones that are vulnerable to violent crime.

What about me? I'm a recruiter now. I used to be a military police investigator. I've busted my fair share of dirtbags. However, I have never been a sworn LEO. Shouldn't I be able to carry too? Of course I should...along with every other law-abiding citizen. I have no more right to self-preservation than anyone else.

SSG idsman75, U.S. ARMY

Lowrider

That's a pretty general statement about law enforcement officers. LEO's run the spectrum from very professional, highly trained, squared-away cops to corrupt, very crooked cops who were just never caught to small town Barney Fife types.

Not all of them are possessed with the "cooler heads" and "tactical thinking" nor have they all received "extensive training in stressful situations."

Lord Lowrider the LoquaciousMember:Secret Select Society of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets She was only a fisherman's daughter,But when she saw my rod she reeled.

mudge

Charlie....I don't understand. Why would I feel bad? Besides, how many LEO's have HAD to use a firearm (training notwithstanding) in a stressful situation? I have. The LEO's that investigated the shooting determined that it was "righteous" and that I had done exactly what I should have. I never had "extensive" training in how to handle a "stressful" situation. I guess common sense, and the fact that I had fired thousands of rounds through the old Commander, made it somewhat second nature to handle the situation in the manner I did. I'm sure most of the troops here have a modicum of that same common sense. Please don't read this a hostility toward you or your position. Just 'splainin' mine.

Mudge your buddy

I can't come to work today. The voices said, STAY HOME AND CLEAN THE GUNS!

gars320

What
SAXON & LOWRIDER SAID...ME TOO!
A retired LEO is a private citizen period! If he can carry concealed then why shouldn't every other licensed citizen be allowed the same courtesy? This would sure be a great way to cut the LEO Fraternity away from the rest of us commoners on this subject though, wouldn't it? The big bad Feds give them permission to carry nationwide and why should they be concerned with wasting their power and clout to get the right for everyone, after all they've got theres and there are other more important battles to be waged, like a decent medical or better retirement benefits for their members.
If LEOs want our support they owe us theirs, not to settle for a partial victory that will benefit them. That's what the Allies feared as far as Soviet help in the war, A SEPERATE PEACE!
NO! I am not comparing LEO to the Soviets. I have nothing but respect for them and the battle they wage daily, but as Thomas Jefferson said, "WE MUST HANG TOGETHER, OR WE SHALL SURELY HANG INDIVIDUALLY"

Nil Illegitimus Carborundum

Edited by - gars320 on 05/09/2002 16:21:40

idsman75

On a lighter note, I am reminded of a bowling alley where I would stop in while on duty for their killer smoked brisket sandwiches. The bowling alley was insisting that an MP patrol be there at all times which was an impossibility. The bowling alley started offering free sodas for any MP that stopped there for dinner while on duty. Hence, MP's stopped going to Burger King and ate the fine smoked meats served at the bowling alley washed down with free sodas. Some may think this is unethical. I ate there regularly BEFORE the free sodas were offered and I continued to do so. I also didn't gripe when a new employee would charge me for my sodas. I'd pay the price and be happy about it. Pass the peanuts.

SSG idsman75, U.S. ARMY

badboybob

I don't think the answer is to just allow LEO's and retired LEO's to carry concealed. EVERYONE who is legally allowed to have a hand gun should have the same right. Isn't that what the Second Ammendment is all about?

PC=BS

Alpine

I would love for everyone, that was responsible, had training, and other qualifications, to be able to CCW, and that CCW would be good throughout the America, Canada, Mexico, South America, ect.
There would be less helpless victims, not able to defend themselves from thugs and tyrants.
In a perfect world that would be great.
But for now I will settle for LEO's to have their right to carry good through out the U.S., and I don't even care if it applies to retarted (I mean retired) LEO's also.