LEOSA: Qualifications and Covered Firearms

[WuzzFuzz]

Quote from the staff.

To ensure adequate staffing, we must have an accurate participation count. Unregistered walk-Ins will not be permitted.
]
• Retired Officers are allowed to qualify on one concealable firearm.
•["] ALL weapons must be brought in a case and unloaded, or in an approved holster.
• *** does not supply any ammunition for this Shoot. Retired Officers need to bring 50 rounds of practice ammunition per qualification attempt.
• Qualified Retired Officers will be required to sign an Injury or Accident Disclaimer.
• Retired Officers who have not had a background check within the past 5 years are required to complete a background check PRIOR to the Shoot.


Note, the last item....Yes we would be required to have a background check if not done in the last five years.....

HOWEVER, if one has a state issued permit to purchase a handgun, which must be conducted by a local law enforcement agency, (which are good for 3 years, cost $5.00) this will meet the requirement for a background check. This document must be provided at the time of qualification shoot.

As far as my LEO card for being issued to a "retired" officer, it is non expiring...It has our photo on it.( smiled, didn't have to be my grumpy old, grouchy look)

We are issued a second LEOSA card with our photo on it, with a expiration date 12 months from the date of our qualification.

There is no mention of whether we qualified with a semi-auto or revolver type of weapon...Only that we are allowed to conceal carry.

OH too...it's a freebe to us old codgers.... We only have to provide our own practice ammo.


WuzzFuzz

Sorry about the color change. I tried to correct that, but...well...you get the picture...Us old codgers are not the most computer savy.

 

[safearm]

Just finished my annual qualification with a local department, not the one I retired from. All I received was a sticker to go on the back of my retired LE ID card that states I passed the qualification on the date and the name/ID number of the rangemaster. No identification of weapon, serial number, caliber, etc.

 

[blues7]

Just finished my annual qualification with a local department, not the one I retired from. All I received was a sticker to go on the back of my retired LE ID card that states I passed the qualification on the date and the name/ID number of the rangemaster. No identification of weapon, serial number, caliber, etc.

I like that method. I wish more states would adopt it to streamline the process and make it less cumbersome.

 

[H47]

Re: Massachusetts and Connecticut...
I recently did my LEOSA qualification in Maine, have my retired creds and a qualification card issued by the Maine Criminal Justice Academy. I'm wondering if anybody here who is a non-resident of either Mass or Conn, who carries in either state under LEOSA, has had encounters with the authorities in either state, and how they went. Were the Leo's there cognizant of the law, for example, and were any "quirks" encountered that were peculiar to either state. My local police chief told me he had heard of people getting "hung up" there but he couldn't be more specific.

 

[The Big D]

Zero issues!

LEOSA qualified since 2005. Have traveled to Massachusetts and Connecticut regularly. ZERO issues...and that does include air and land travel.

In general, no matter where you travel you will encounter ZERO issues with professional LEO's.

Be safe.

 

[Muss Muggins]

LEOSA qualified since 2005. Have traveled to Massachusetts and Connecticut regularly. ZERO issues...and that does include air and land travel.

In general, no matter where you travel you will encounter ZERO issues with professional LEO's.

Be safe.

I don't want to belabor your answer, but have you ever met an LEO in MA or CT in an adverse situation where your ability to legally possess a concealed firearm may have been in question, or have you just never had to deal with it?

I've had ZERO issues everywhere I've been in the country, but then again, I've never had to discuss it with an LEO . . .

 

[The Big D]

Say what?

I cannot fathom an 'adverse' situation with professional law enforcement...anywhere.

That said, I had to display my credentials to a Massachusetts State Trooper whilst boarding a private aircraft at Logan in May.

I taught at UMASS/Amherst for more than twenty (20) years and regularly interacted with on duty Massachusetts LEO's in that capacity. More than a few of those years were whilst I was carrying pursuant to LEOSA.

All said, I simply cannot imagine an 'adverse' interaction with professional LEO's. For the record, I have carried a gun pursuant to LEOSA in at least twenty-five (25) states since retirement. I have become involved in activities in which I identified myself as a gun toting person on more than a few occasions. Nary an issue...ever...anywhere.

Hope that answers your somewhat puzzling question.

Be safe.

PS: re Connecticut, I usually commuted to UMASS via Bradley International Airport...in Connecticut.

 

[H47]

Big D et al.... Didn't mean to start a ruckus, and it wasn't I who implied anything adverse. I think you pretty well answered my question, that professional LEO'S have no problem with LEOSA. Several situations can occur in which LE "becomes aware" that one is armed, that don't amount to adversarial ones. Sorry if my question was puzzling, I was just wondering if anybody had experience with any.
Of course it is my hope that my firearm never is seen or questioned, and just as when I was working, I hope I never need to use it. Thanks for the responses.

 

[The Big D]

All good, H47...

...my comment re: 'puzzling question' was not directed to you.

I like to share my personal experiences with LEOSA and its practical application.

BTW, ispcapt is the true LEOSA expert herein.

Be safe.

QUOTE=H47;139784573]Big D et al.... Didn't mean to start a ruckus, and it wasn't I who implied anything adverse. ... Sorry if my question was puzzling, ...[/QUOTE]

 

[ultra45]

Ultra,

The NJ standard for ACTIVE officers is twice in a one year period, the requirement they post for RETIRED officers is from their own legislation for a state RPO carry permit. Furthermore, that qualification may not be accepted in other states as it differs somewhat from the active officer requirement.

Most retirees I know view it as applying to those who are still captives in NJ.

Forget active, we all know most departments qualify their personnel twice a year. I can see Jersy mandating 2x a year for a permit carrier, but if only qualifing for LEOSA it's once, no matter what Jersy says. Unless of course the retiree has a permit also. It's idiotic IMHO.

Sorry for the late reply, I kinda missed this thread...

 

[ultra45]

Improvements to LEOSA:

1) Allow Hi-capacity mags to those covered under LEOSA.
2) Clarify that only need to qual with either auto or revolver, not both.
3) Exempt those carrying under LEOSA from the Gun Free School Zone Act.

Notihing to clarify, why would you limit yourself to one or the other? If that's the case, just let one qualify period with no type.

 

[BE Mike]

I've had state licenses since I retired. First Texas and for the past 18 years, Indiana. I recently went through LEOSA qualification for the first time. The instructor said that the sheriff thought it was a good idea and considered anyone who passed, "Free backup for his officers!" We shot both semi-autos and revolvers and were required to pass the course with each one. We had to supply the serial numbers of the handguns, but were told we weren't restricted to them for carry. One thing I wonder about and I've heard through the rumor mill, is the average police officer is unaware of the LEOSA card and what it means.

 

[blues7]

I've had state licenses since I retired. First Texas and for the past 18 years, Indiana. I recently went through LEOSA qualification for the first time. The instructor said that the sheriff thought it was a good idea and considered anyone who passed, "Free backup for his officers!" We shot both semi-autos and revolvers and were required to pass the course with each one.

I've let our local sheriff and deputies know that if I can ever be of help I'm only too happy to be there for them.

Fortunately, our locals still consider us retirees as part of the fraternity and are only too happy to be there and arrange for our qualifications.

 

[JWM]

Did my second LEOSA qual a few weeks ago since retirement. I reside in SC and this state basically lets local LE administer the program. The feeling here is that it does not matter whether you qual revolver or semi auto. Good to go either way. They keep it simple; just fire the 30 round course, and see you next year. No extra training or classes. About a week letter, you get a letter from local PD on official letterhead that you got a qualifying score. Fold it up and tuck it into my retired creds.

 

[blues7]

Good to go for another year. Letter of thanks sent off to the county sheriff's office (again) for making the entire process as convenient and pleasant as possible.

 

[apollo99]

I'm due in a few weeks for my yearly qualification. Either the sheriff's department or the local PD will do it for me. I'd rather have the PD guy as the Sheriff's deputy makes me do push-ups and run around. I asked him why and he said that the slot time he had for me was always with the SWAT team. It seems that my year is up when their 6 month qualification is up. Lucky me. I also get to qualify with my AR-15 and sniper rifle at the same time.

 

[blues7]

They were doing AR's on the other side. I could've brought mine but didn't think to.

(At least I didn't have to do push-ups. Today's my day off from weight and cardio training during the week.)

 

[Weimar]

This has been the reason I have not done the LEOSA - as retired US Army Military Police, it was decided we fell under the act a number of years ago, and now all the services will give you a card. I moved last fall from PA to WA state and figure I will just get a CCW from WA, the advantage to getting the LEOSA is that Idaho is very close to my home.


Ed

My problem is with the annual qualification. The cost of range time, instructor time and ammunition all adds up. Everyone doesnt get it for free. Being retired I am on a fixed income. It's not that I cant qualify i was a certified police firearms instructor for over 30 years and developed courses of fire and trained thousands of officers. It's the pain in the *** that annual qualifications places on any officer particularly those who have moved or have been retired for a long time in my case over 20 years. Not only am I 1200 miles from my home state I dont know the local cops, chiefs(and I was one) sheriff etc to qualify locally. None of that is required for a state CCW which is good in most states and lasts seven years. While LEOSA has some benefits, too me its not worth the effort. Additionally I personally feel that if a ordinary citizen and there are millions can qualify for a multi-year CCW license with little or no training that license should be accepted as meeting LEOSA requirements for training. Present your retired identification and state CCW and you should be good to go. After all you had many years of firearms training and qualifications. So if a state issued CCW is good enough to give the average resident the right to carry it ought to be good enough for the retired officer. LEOSA needs to be changed to reflect that IMO. (But I know that is not going to happen)

 

[NCW Ray]

This has been the reason I have not done the LEOSA - as retired US Army Military Police, it was decided we fell under the act a number of years ago, and now all the services will give you a card. I moved last fall from PA to WA state and figure I will just get a CCW from WA, the advantage to getting the LEOSA is that Idaho is very close to my home.


Ed

You might double check but I believe Idaho honors your Wa CPL, so if that's the only other state your interested in carrying in, LEOSA certification wouldn't be required.

 

[Weimar]

You might double check but I believe Idaho honors your Wa CPL, so if that's the only other state your interested in carrying in, LEOSA certification wouldn't be required.

I saw that, it was Oregon I was thinking of (I was born in WA, but moved away after army retirement due to jobs, finally got back 'home")