Since the feds don't take care of qualifying their retired LEOs and in some instances don't issue the required ID, I'm fortunate to have a sheriff's office that not only makes it a non-issue, but is welcoming as well.

Every July I go down to the local indoor range during hours it is available only to the sheriff's office and get my annual LEOSA qualification, (day and night), taken care of with no muss, fuss or drama.

The captain that runs the qualification couldn't be a better guy and treats me like a brother in blue despite being retired from LE.

They never ask but I always send a letter of thanks to the sheriff to let him know how much he and his deputies mean to me for extending the courtesy. A better bunch would be hard to find.

Now I just have to wait for the card from the state DOJ that shows I'm good for another year.

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642-1, M&P15 TS

Very fortunate, indeed. Happy to hear y'all have a local that is helpful. I retired twelve years ago and have let mine lapse. Have a State of GA license and that is enough. I cannot travel extensively anymore due to health issues.

Sent from my SM-T350 using Tapatalk

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GA Carry member
Vietnam Vet

I wish you good health, brother.

I carry a NC license but every now and again, (not too often), I have to visit "unfriendly" states (where relatives and friends reside) which would leave me in the lurch without LEOSA.

Thanks for the good words.

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642-1, M&P15 TS

Curious as to which county you're in that provides this.
A few years ago I began pursuing getting my HR218/LEOSA cert and it was no small task without considerable travel.

The department I retired from will not even consider it due to their overboard adherence to liability issues. They'd NEVER allow non-sworn personnel on their range for any reason.

I finally tracked down a retired local LE guy that teaches p/t in the BLET program at the Community College here and he is certified for the LEOSA course.
First time, I met him at a local multi-agency LE range. Place was a mud pit, but we got it done.
Most recently we did it at a newly opened indoor range.
Very accomodating, $60.
I just appreciate him doing it.

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Ret'd LEO
SWCA #2275

My former federal agency does not offer the annual qualifications required by LEOSA. However, after retirement I was elected to my town’s 3 member Police Commission, an unpaid position I held for 19 years. (One reason N.H. has neither an income tax nor sales tax is that the state relies on citizen volunteers to perform a variety of duties that other states pay for. While a Police Commissioner, I did my annual qualification with the town’s officers. Upon retirement from my Police Commissioner position, I received a commitment from the other 2 Commissioners and Police Chief that our community would offer the LEOSA qualification to retired members of our department and retired LE officers that reside in the town and who otherwise qualify for LEOSA authority to carry.

Thus far it has worked out well. As my department issues a different caliber handgun, I pay for my own ammunition.

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A wise man once said nothing.

I'm way out west in Transylvania Co. You may want to contact the gentleman listed at the bottom of the NC HR 218 / LEOSA page to find out who may offer quals in your neck of the woods.

Retired Law Enforcement Officer Firearms Certification

I don't have to pay the sheriff's office for the qualification, but I do pay the state DOJ the $25 annual renewal charge for the card they send out verifying that I have qualified under HR 218 and the appropriate dates. (Of course, I provide my own ammo for the firearms I bring to the qualification.)

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642-1, M&P15 TS

Just did mine a couple of weeks ago at the Sheriff Dept. Range. I retired CA. officer runs it here for all the local retired guys. We get a notice of the available days and a make up day as well for those who can't make it. Still waiting for the new card since the previous Undersheriff if now the new Sheriff. This Qualification is a joke but it gets the job done.

Our qual isn't bad. 30 rounds day out to 25 yards, 30 rounds night out to 15 yards for a total of 60 rounds per gun.

My scores are still in the high 90's to 100% so I don't have to dread making an *** of myself...(just yet).

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642-1, M&P15 TS

Initially the N.H. SP issued a letter to the retired LE Officer regarding meeting the annual LEOSA firearm’s qualification requirement. I have the dubious distinction of being the first to receive the letter in NH. However, it is my understanding that it became an unnecessary administrative nuisance for the SP, as they received no compensation for reviewing the qualification paperwork and issuing the letter. Plus, the number of LEOSA candidates escalated sharply.

Currently, in my case, my local department maintains the record of my annual firearm’s qualification requirement.

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A wise man once said nothing.

I believe the terms of HR 218 require we carry with us proof of qualification within the past 12 months in addition to our retired creds. (I am not a lawyer, however, and I may have misread something along the way.)

The card from DOJ serves that purpose in my case.

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642-1, M&P15 TS

You are correct . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Thanks, Muss.

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642-1, M&P15 TS

"Texas Commission on Law Enforcement" issues a qualification card (for annual fee) and the qualification can be certified by any state licensed LE firearms instructor or civilian Concealed Handgun instructor. That sure makes it easy.

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6/23/2022

One of the more ridiculous idiosyncrasies of LEOSA is the lack of uniformity between all the states in regards to the firearm carried.

In NC there's four (4) spaces to list handguns fired and qualified with on the application form sent into NCDOJ upon successfully shooting the course.
The guns are ID'ed by make, model and caliber, but not serial number.

Other states have check-offs for revolver and/or auto.
Some ID the particular gun by S/N.

Last year when I was working a security contract, having the LEOSA card was mandatory and my co-worker guys were from all over. Comparing LEOSA cards, there is NO uniformity. Many have the bearer's photo, many do not. NC's does not, just like our NC CHL.

Just checked my card - it lists a couple that I have primarily for contracting - a S&W M&P .45 and a Glock 19. Included a S&W M65 3" just because I carry it so much.

I have no idea of the repercussions, if any, of carrying, or God forbid using, something not listed among those three. And don't know of anything anecdotal or case law-ish about similar issues.
I'm much more in favor of simply having blocks checked for revolver and/or auto.

Also, note there are no noted restrictions such a 'walker and/or cane required' for lawful use.

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Ret'd LEO
SWCA #2275

Requal’ed in May. The local SD conducts the LEOSA for retired LEO’s. The Federal agency I retired from is not the least bit interested in LEOSA, so I am grateful the SD offers the LEOSA qual twice a year.
Up until last year we qual’ed with a 48 round course of fire from 3 to 25 yds. It was the old revolver qualification from years past.
They changed the qual to a much simpler format last year.
Their policiy is that you will qualify with every handgun you are going to carry.
I shoot one pistol, qual, get my cred’s, thank everyone involved and am done.
The official document issued by the SD lists the make, model, caliber and SN of whatever you qualified with.
I am grateful that this agency hosts this event, and always send a letter to the Sheriff thanking him and his staff.

My old department has been great or this. They will even give me a box of ammo and let me practice on the range when it is open. Unfortunately, they are open only during my work week. They issue me my card on the spot when I do my qual. Not restricted to specific guns.

My states LEO Training Center is set up to do qual's 3-4 times a year. They tell us they understand that the LEOSA "type" of firearm is semi-auto or revolver. Qualify with a semi and you can carry ANY semi. Same with revolver. Cards issued same day and list the firearm by name and calibre. Serial numbers not recorded.

Anyone with an agency ID and residency in state can come out.

I’m in my third year of carry retired under LEOSA. Good program, but here are areas for improvement: 1) Clarification as to “type” of handgun, 2) allow for any magazine capacity, 3) allow carrying in national parks, Gun free school zones, 4) explore the possibility of a national retired LE photo ID for those unfortunate officers whom can’t get it from their former agency. Similar to what DOD has implemented.

Representative Bacon introduced HR 1156 to correct the LEOSA issues the bill has 22 co sponsors. Too early to tell if the bill will fly.

I retired from Ca and now live in Idaho. Here I can go to a local gun store/range and they have a certified instructor to do LEOSA quals. Cost is 20 bucks. Proof of qual revolver or auto is taken to the Sheriff and they issue the ID cost is around 12 bucks. Idaho also has enhanced civilian CCW that is good for 5 years.This is good for 37 states, Wa is 40 minutes away so have this as back up in the event my LEOSA lapses before I renew.

JWM im still confused about carrying in a national park. It was explained to me if you have a carry permit issued by the state that the park is located in then you can. But LEOSA carry is not really a issued permit by a state its a condition of having your retired id card and a qualification card. The qualification card is issued by the state and here in pennsylvania but i dont want to be the test case lol

I haven't researched this in depth but my understanding is that if you have a state license for the specific state, or one from a state with reciprocity with the state the N.P. is located within, then you're good to go, even if LEOSA doesn't specifically cover it.

So, by way of example, if I were in a N.P. out west that honored the NC license for reciprocity, then I could carry in the park regardless of the LEOSA stance.

I would research it further before taking any action and I have seen the topic addressed on sites online in the past.

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642-1, M&P15 TS

To flesh out my answer above a bit further, this quote from the National Park Service:

Firearms in National Parks (U.S. National Park Service)

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642-1, M&P15 TS

Congratulations on recertifying for another year, blues7!!! Just checked my card, and I'm still good until October. Also checked my CC license, and it's good until 2021. For the modest cost, the concealed carry license is worth it. Ours is good in something like 39 states. And I fret over my LEOSA recent every year, sometimes there are scheduling delays, which might mean I'm without LEOSA for a short time, but am still covered by the CCL. Plus, as you point out, there are grey areas in LEOSA such as the National Parks thing, in which the complimentary coverage is reassuring.

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

Thank you, brother.

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642-1, M&P15 TS

My old agency has no interest in LEOSA; don't know about the locals. But my Wyoming CCW covers any state I'm ever liable to find myself in anyway. Wyoming also has "constitutional CCW carry" within the state. The CCW is honored in 35 other states, the vast majority "blue" (free) states.

Huh? Red states seem to be more likely to be gun-friendly. IL, NY, NJ and CA come to mind as Blue.

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GA Carry member
Vietnam Vet

Just curious, can anyone cite a case in which a retired LE Officer, issued an identification card from his former agency as meeting requirements for LEOSA, has ever been prosecuted, or arrested, for not meeting all of the LEOSA technical requirements such as annual qualification in the state of residency or having proof of that qualification in his or her possession when carrying pursuant to LEOSA?

For the 10 or so years NHSP issued letters certifying completion of annual firearms qualification. I did not carry that letter with me. My reasoning, perhaps faulty, is that my qualification is a matter of record, which I could easily produce if necessary. The critical document is your LEOSA certification from a law enforcement agency. I have trouble believing a fellow law enforcement officer, or prosecutor would effect an arrest and pursue s criminal prosecution solely because a former law enforcement officer did not have in his/ her possession, the document certifying annual qualification.

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A wise man once said nothing.

^^^Gundalow, I hope you never have to travel through NJ. (And NYC for that matter.)

Your faith in your fellow man may not survive the trip. (I'm sorry to say.)

There are more than a few LEOs willing to do their brethren dirt.

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642-1, M&P15 TS

I am also an orphaned fed, but my SO takes care of us. 20 rounds, 40 bucks, and I'm worry free from sea to shining sea for another year. Thank you, George W!

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

St. Louis County PD does ours for free at the same quals they do for their retirees. Fifty rounds, beer and wings after with some fine folks, and I’m good to go . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

You know what, this whole process is BS. It should be that all retired federal and local LE should be required to pass a standard test administered by the local Sheriff Dept. and that that Qual makes them qualified to carry in any state without question. I am embarrassed to think that out federal agencies do not stand behind those that served in Federal Agencies. I feel that all LE who are willing to carry after retirement so that they may be able to prevent some situation is a wonderful thing. I really do not think that many would walk away and not act if called upon to do so.Some of the quals are frankly BS. I think that we should all be proficient, meaning that the qual should not be the bare minimum to make sure that we can pass it when maybe we should not. for those that get to the age that they can no longer pass the required qual or due to medical conditions etc, then choose not to qualify any longer. Having trained and qualified ex-LE out there who could potentially act when using common sense whether to do so or not, depending on the circumstances just makes sense.

Appreciate your thoughts blues7. Due to requalify with my local department later this month. I think I’ll type up a brief statement that I qualified on (date), and have the firearms officer sign it and keep it with my LEOSA document. The LEOSA has been in effect for about 15 years, and the only legal cases that I am aware of involve whether or not an individual qualifies for LEOSA authority and if agencies are required to issue LEOSA identification cards.

Hopefully if there is an arrest for a technical violation of the LEOSA (such as failure to have firearms qualification certification on your person, or going beyond the 12 months re-qualification time frame), it will be reported by a member of this forum. (Due to my local department’s scheduling issues, I have occasionally gone a week or two, up to a month, past my annual due date for re-qualification.)

Thus far, it appears that if you are in compliance with federal firearms laws, and have your LEOSA credential and current firearms qualification certification, jurisdictions such as NYC, NJ and Washington DC risk civil liability if they arrest you for carrying a gun or ammunition that does not conform with their local statutes.

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A wise man once said nothing.

The only cases I am aware of where there was an arrest involved Coast Guard. In both cases the LE agencies did not think LEOSA applied. In both cases LEOSA was determined to be valid. One of the cases was in Burbank,Ca The city had to pay 40K and train the officers on LEOSA.

A few years ago my certification expired due to a scheduling issue. I DID NOT CARRY A GUN UNTIL I QUALIFIED ANEW..

LEOSA certification cards issued by the Maryland Police Training Commission include the expiration date and weapon type. You must carry that card and former agency credentials.

I would not consider for a moment ignoring those ‘facts.’

Be safe.

Appreciate your thoughts Big D

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A wise man once said nothing.

Spg007 - Thanks for your insight and update on my home state, which I happily escaped in 1985. All my “I”s will be dotted if I ever again pass through the Garden State.

Despite his ruling, the NJ AG lacks the authority to deny NJ residents who would otherwise qualify for LEOSA status, the ability to exercise their LEOSA rights as provided for by federal statute. Imagine for a moment he issued a ruling stating that NJ residents were not entitled to protection under federal anti discrimination statutes; that the only protections available to them would be those as established by the state of NJ.

If defending yourself against such reckless conduct on the part of the NJ AG was not so incredibly expensive, his actions would be laughable.

This will likely be resolved in court, hopefully sooner rather than later. However it is a fine example of how tyrants achieve positions of power, which should be of concern to all of us.

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A wise man once said nothing.

Recently had to travel North through NJ on a drive to visit wife's family in upstate NY.
Thankfully, just a few days later we were Southbound through and out of NJ.
Of course, I was carrying, but not a gun listed on my LEOSA card - it was actually my last duty weapon, a S&W M4566, full of old issue ammo, 230 gr Gold Dot JHP's.
It did cross my mind how all that would go if we had an interaction with any of NJ's Finest. But we did not.

My wife just smirks when I opine that if Hell has a highway, it's the New Jersey Turnpike.

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Ret'd LEO
SWCA #2275

A BIG thank you for all who have served

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Too good

Amen, particularly on the Wednesday afternoon/evening before Thanksgiving.

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A wise man once said nothing.

I reserve carry of "other" firearms to NC or, if need be, states with reciprocity with my NC license.

On road trips where LEOSA applies, I carry one of the two firearms I use for LEOSA qualification. One, the Glock 26, specifically because the 10 round OEM magazines meet the limitations of some states which restrict capacity.

It's not a perfect system and needs improvement...but it's a heck of a lot better than the alternative, and for that I'm grateful.

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642-1, M&P15 TS

Based on much appreciated input from a number of forum members, I’ll be ordering a couple 10 round magazines from Sig Sauer in Exeter, NH. Also agree with blues7 that LEOSA is a welcome program, despite some minor issues.

Am very disappointed in my former federal agency. They provide absolutely NO LEOSA guidance or support for retired agents, most of whom spent 25 + years supporting the agency’s mission, often in challenging environments. (A few of my friends gave their life supporting the mission.) It is safe to say that retired agents are currently viewed as potential liability by the agency’s Office of Chief Counsel, rather than a resource for the US citizens that presumably they (the attorneys) should be serving.

i also believe my former agency’s Office of Chief Counsel, which was not pleased with the LEOSA legislation, believe LEOSA would require more work on their part if a former guy like me got involved in a shooting incident while carrying pursuant to LEOSA. This attitude strikes me as one of many steps in the wrong direction if the US is to prevail over current social and international challenges.

Times and our nation are changing. How we confront these changes, whether for for better or for worse, remains to be seen.

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A wise man once said nothing.

Gundalow - much the same mindset exists from my former agency. Honestly believe they'd welcome city sanitation workers onto the range before they'd have retired officers there.
They see it as some horrific liability issue, a record-keeping bother, superfluous to anything the department has interest in.

So - it's very encouraging to hear of the actually helpful agencies spread across the country that gladly assist retirees from all over in getting compliant with LEOSA.
The guy that gets me recertified every year says most of the guys he re-certs are retired from places in the N.E. (we're in a coastal area with many retirees) and they do it mostly to remain legal for trips back and forth visiting family there.

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Ret'd LEO
SWCA #2275

@Gundalow pleasewatch for a PM.


My LEOSA cert expired 2 months ago due to schedule issues and a bad reaction from a pneumonia vaccine last month, so I'm scheduled for the end of this month.


I'm a MA SP certified LEOSA instructor who is in the process of moving to NH, so I will be trying to learn what I can about the cert process in NH. I will be able to continue certifying anyone with a MA LTC (Resident or NR) for LEOSA from my NH location (except if/when my MA LTC is expired and I'm waiting on my renewal - which is annually). I also have the option of continuing to qualify with the same MA LEOSA instructor I've been using for the past 3 years. This info was confirmed by the MA SP Lt. in charge of certifying instructors.


As for National Parks, carry (outside of their staffed buildings) depends on state law. I contacted the ME SP to inquire if LEOSA would cover me me for Acadia National Park and I was assured that it would. In that case I just let my ME NR firearms license expire and don't plan on renewing.

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MA Gun Law & NRA Instructor

Note in my statement above, MA requires a MA LTC (Resident or NR) in order to be certified under LEOSA (yes, in violation of the Federal law). However, MA SP has told me that I can certify Feds, retired MPs, anyone who retired from a non-MA agency with proper LEOSA ID as well as retired MA LEOs.

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MA Gun Law & NRA Instructor

Ya got that backwards, the "free states" are RED, Blue be Democrat.

As far as LEOSA goes, I kept up my LEOSA xard for 10 years as both NM and AZ made it easy although not cheap. $20 for qual qnd $20 for the card yearly. That $200 for five years. An Arizona CCL cost me $60 for 5 years and I don't need to shoot a qual and can carry whatever I want.

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Support your Police, & NRA

Did my annual LEOSA qual today. In Nevada you shoot 30 rounds, the same as the state CCW qual. The state has standardized LEOSA requal so that each county uses the same forms and course of fire:

6 rds at 3 yards
12 rds at 5
12 rds at 7
No time limit.

You can shoot auto or revolver, it doesn’t matter because either one qualifies you to carry both. The qualification card just says, “Handgun.”

Cost is $25 for the proctor, the card, which is issued by the sheriff of the county you reside, is free.
Nevada doesn’t require LEOSA proctors to be LE instructors. I’ve done 5 LEOSA quals in Nevada and none of the proctors have been active or retired LE, all have been NRA instructors.

Did my LEOSA qual last month. All I do is call the range officer at my dept. & set up a time agreeable to him. Have to bring my own ammo (50 rounds to qualify in Iowa). He records the gun I use & that's what I am allowed to carry under depts. version of LEOSA. After qual I'm good for anytime. He signs the permit card & I'm good to go. No waiting & no cost.

Foxy, can you qualify with more than one handgun?

You know, I never thought to ask. I've always done very well with my Para Ordnance C7.45 & haven't thought about another gun. Next time I'll be sure to ask. Sorry I couldn't help more.

I did the LEOSA in the county north of my home county for several years due to the fact I had been working armed security in that county and had come to know the sheriff quite well. My card expired in May of this year, as I was a mite sickly during qualifications. The cost was zero, but I would take by some staplers and stapes every year or so.

I took my C&R renewal form by the local SO last week. The sheriff and I talked for a while and he offered to send a deputy by my house whenever I wanted to do my LEOSA, just to make sure I could still shoot. I'll probably call him next week. :0

I also have a VA CCW, which costs $15 for 5 years. And I have a lifetime Alabama CCW, authorized by the sheriff and issued by the county I lived in when I retired down in Alabama.

BTW, is it still illegal for retired New Jersey LEOs to carry hollow point ammo? When I worked armed security, the Commonwealth of Virginia REQUIRED us to carry hollow points.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!