Information Regarding Arizona’s Efforts

To Implement H.R. 218 – New Federal Law Allowing Law Enforcement Officers To Carry A Concealed Firearm Nationwide

The Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004 (HR 218) became law on July 22, 2004. This law provides for the carrying of concealed firearms by law enforcement officers (both active and retired) (both on and off-duty), nation-wide upon meeting certain criteria. Further, when traveling to other states, they are not required to inform other state or local authorities that they are carrying concealed weapons, though they must produce valid identification if challenged

The law does not provide “automatic” authority for officers to carry firearms throughout the country. Active and retired officers must possess proof of meeting the law’s requirements. There is a lot of misinformation circulating through the internet about what the law allows. Read the law yourself instead of relying on someone else’s summary or advice. http://www.congress.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c108:H.R.218:

The Arizona Department of Public Safety CCW Unit is now providing information on how to obtain a “retired peace officer” CCW permit. For further information go to http://www.azdps.gov/ccw/safetyAct.asp

The Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board (Az POST) has established Firearm Qualifications Standards for all peace officers in Arizona

A law enforcement agency from which an officer retired may issue both the retired identification and the documentation of qualification with the firearm in the past twelve months, but each agency must make that policy determination on its own.

Please be patient. Even though the federal law is in place, Arizona and other states need time to implement its provisions. Information will be provided when it is available. Various groups are working to implement the law and Arizona may have to enact new legislation before some retired officers can obtain the documentation necessary to allow them to carry concealed firearms under the federal law.

It is important to note that peace officers who qualify under the new law must still obey local prohibitions or restrictions against the carrying of concealed weapons on (1) private property, if the owner imposes such prohibitions or restrictions; (2) state or public property, such as a courthouse or a public park, and (3) nothing in this law changes the rules regarding law enforcement officers being armed on planes.