LEOSA - Information every officer should know

The Law Enforcement Officers' Safety Act covers concealed carry for police officers and retired officers. Learn about the specific requirements and restrictions of LEOSA.

[@AZPoliceLawyer]

For Arizona police officers, if you have a current annual firearms qualification, you are allowed to carry in a school zone - A.R.S. §13-3102(I)(3) - but remember - if you are out of state, LEOSA does not allow for concealed carry in school zones...

[@daniele9834]

Great video. Thank you for the help. Even as LEO's who understand law, this gets complicated.

[@lastofthefinest]

I got my credentials a few years ago and it has saved me some money

[@samurai76517]

So, in this climate of school shootings - if a qualified retired officer confronts a school violence situation - don't react ?? (thus could save lives & quell the situation) School has to wait till uniform officers arrive & count dead bodies? Brains is not a highlight in not having retired trained officers enter school grounds even as victims are running out screaming for help!!!😮

[@Hawaiian80882]

Mahalo's for your post....Informative!

[@jackmehoffer7819]

California AB1192 makes it legal for retired in good standing with at least 10 yrs of service regular and Level 1 reserve officers to possess and use large capacity over 10 round 😊magazines. This law was passed and signed by Governor Jerry Brown in 2016.

[@AZPoliceLawyer]

Thanks for watching - and for your comment. I took a look at the California Penal Code, and while you are correct for officers who retired from service in California, I'm not certain that this law protects officers that retired from other US agencies. So again - my advice is beware if you are a retiree (from an agency outside CA in particular) and are carrying a high-capacity magazine in California.

[@jackmehoffer7819]

@@AZPoliceLawyer absolutely correct. I should have made it clear it’s only retired Ca Leo’s.

[@AZPoliceLawyer]

It may also include retired federal agents - the law is tough to interpret - but it's pretty likely it does not include other retired LEOSA state or municipal LEOs

[@easyrider4x]

Concerning the qualified retired officer... The law was changed to strike "retired" and substitute "separated from service". Ten years is the minimum. Does this include officers who just stopped working as officers but did not actually retire from a LE dept.? In my case I worked as an officer for 26 years but retired my commission (or separated from service as an LEO) while continuing to work for the department in an administrative role for six more years. This agency now refuses to issue me an ID even though I had more than enough years as an officer to retire.

[@AZPoliceLawyer]

You are correct - the standard for LEOSA for former officers is 10 years - and leaving in "good standing." The "good standing" requirement seems to allow some agencies to deny credentials to former officers. As far as I know, the denial of an ID (which is a requirement for LEOSA to apply) hasn't been fully tested in courts.

[@easyrider4x]

Well I met the “good standing” clause. I guess I just need to keep going up the chain to the Gov. until someone interprets the amendment properly.

[@adamreyes1833]

I am vacationing in Puerto Rico and have been calling ahead to see what the requirements are as far as carrying my weapon on the island. The one issue I'm stumped on is that one of the San Juan police officers stated that I can only carry my actual full size duty weapon. I have my off duty weapon approved by my agency which I qualify with every year that I carry around here. However, by that officers explanation I can only carry my "on duty" weapon. This doesnt make much sense to me since retirees covered by LEOSA would not be carrying an "on duty" weapon. Any advice?

[@philliprader6298]

Appreciate the info!!

[@AZPoliceLawyer]

You bet! Thanks for watching - and feel free to share with others who may find it helpful.

[@AlphaChimpEnergy]

I exceed the 10 yrs on the job but the application is like adopting a kid or some crazy shit.

[@lastofthefinest]

If you have 10 years you qualify

[@Sweetflyer80]

Hi, I know this might be a obvious question, but does a Sherrif Deputy (active) count?

[@AZPoliceLawyer]

Yes - sheriffs' deputies working as fully-authorized peace officers do count.

[@chrisastin1989]

What if the deputy is a jailer

[@AZPoliceLawyer]

@@chrisastin1989 18USC926B has the definition of "qualified law enforcement officer" which would likely include a Sheriff's Deputy serving as a jailor, if the deputy is allowed by his or her agency to carry a firearm.

[@philliprader6298]

If you have arrest powers not just a co. Like in California this is 832 an arrest class. I was a deputy but didn't qualify until post

[@John-cm5bz]

@AZPoliceLawyer I was a military police officer for 5 years active duty and was employed by Corecivc as a correctional officer for 5 years. Does my time with Corecivic count?

[@AZPoliceLawyer]

No, private correctional officers would not qualify under LEOSA.

[@SSGreg96]

Does this cover weapons qualified corrections officers?

[@AZPoliceLawyer]

Yes - if you are employed by a government agency and you are authorized to engage in the incarceration...of any person...then LEOSA likely applies to you if you meet the other requirements outlined in the video.

[@mpngreen3897]

With having LEOSA card holder, are you allowed to purchase firearms in all 50 states?

[@AZPoliceLawyer]

LEOSA only preempts "carry" laws - not purchase laws. So no, LEOSA would not automatically allow someone to purchase guns in all states.

[@darrenstettner5381]

Does anyone know of an attorney that will actually take a leosa case? I’m qualified for leosa but my former department is refusing to let me have it and I can’t find any attorney that will help me.

[@AZPoliceLawyer]

Thanks!

[@Spectse]

In reference to the 10 years of service, I have a friend who has a LEOSA credentials because he is military police, specifically Security Forces in the Air Force Reserves. Seeing as he is a reservist, meaning he only serves as security forces one weekend a month, does he qualify for retired LEOSA credentials when he separates from the Air Force Reserves after 10 years? He meets every other requirement for retired LEOSA credit

[@AZPoliceLawyer]

Generally speaking, it sounds like he would qualify if he has 10 years of service. The Air Force has specific regulations that would govern how they count his time, but as a general rule, military reserve time counts towards "retirement" credit for LEOSA if his position involved "apprehending" individuals under the UCMJ. This website has more information - www.osi.af.mil/Portals/29/AFOSI%20LEOSA%20FAQ%20-%2025%20Jul%2019.pdf?ver=2019-07-26-094820-010