***UPDATE***June 2011***H.R 218 LEOSA... How's that working out for fellow retirees?

I retired 4 years ago from NM and moved across the state line to Arizona both states have set up a good system for retirees. In AZ I carry my retired Photo ID Card and a card issued by AZ DPS showing that I qualified to Arizona standards.
 
I retired in 2007. Our process is to qualify with whatever gun we wish to carry; the record of the qualification with the Rangemaster's signature is on a standard address label which is affixed to the back of my retired ID card.
 
i qualified last fall here with the dept.i retired from...i'm still waiting on the new card making machine in order to be issued same
 
previously these cards were made by an academy we were a part of...they also did firearms qualification...now the PD issues the concealed cards to the retired officers...problem is it's a new machine and has some set up issues
 
WA State?

Does anyone know what WA did/is/is not doing regarding qualifying retired LEO's? I moved here recently and none of the officers I've talked to seem to know anything about this other than that HR218 exists. Thanks!
 
MA has recently implemented a LEOSA qualification program. It falls under 515 Code of MA Regulations (CMR) for training and qualifications standards and 501 CMR 13.00 ID Card Standards. I'm a certified LEOSA instructor in MA (also a current chief of police).

The only fly in the ointment in MA is, for me to even qualify a MA retired officer that officer must possess an ID card that meets the very specific verbiage outlined in the CMR. I doubt if more then a handful of officers possess such a card at this time (and, yes, I sure do). Here's where it gets a bit silly. I cannot legally qualify a retired MA officer unless they have the correct ID card. Out of state officers? Not a problem. I spoke with the state police in regard that question and the response was, well, out of state offices can't be expected to possess a MA ID card!

I'm sure it will get squared away eventually. In the meantime I'm ready, willing and able to start qualifying folks!

Rich
Cape Cod
 
Also be aware concerning NJ: LEOSA or not, you have to download your normal carry hollowpoints and go to FMJs if you are from out of state... Could be they were yanking our chain, but this is what we were told by NJSP when we contacted them last October. We were on the way to Massachusetts to teach a class and were only passing through.

Regards,
Mike
 
Raven6, that's the correct info in regard NJ. A buddy of mine is a retired chief of the Passaic County Sheriff's Office. He has to carry non-hollowpoint ammo in his sidearms now. Sucks, I know.

What to do:

Federal Expanding Full Metal Jacket ammo for semi-autos is OK. Also Cor-Bon ammo is good. So long as there is no hollow in the nose is all they care about.

Buffalo Bore 150 grain wadcutters loaded to a nice velocity is a great choice for .38 Special/.357 revolver carriers.

Rich
 
I'm new here, but I wanted to say that the state of Florida is pretty accommodating about HR218, and numerous agencies provide regular qualifications throughout the state. I qual'd last year at the Coral Springs PD, and will go back again this year. They are super friendly and helpful, and you're done in about an hour.
 
Subsequent to my first post here, I contacted my county and city departments. Neither will qualify "outsiders" due to time, money and liability issues. As a retired Fed, my agency doesn't do it either. Unofficially, my lawyer said to do it myself and keep good records. At least if the SHTF, it shows you did your best to comply. I think the Fed needs to come up with one course for all Federal retirees, reduced in number of rounds, distances and night quals. We're no longer on the street, so a defensive course seems just right, practical and reasonable. I can't understand states which limit a retiree to one gun and specific ammo. Do what is right for your laws, conscience and limits of iability. It's on YOUR shoulders now...no more department protections. Do the right thing.
 
scotsbrae- I don't know where in Washington you're living but if you're anywhere near the Portland metro there is an agency that offers a qualification in the spring that they open to all retirees (Ore. or not). The cost is $35 and a pictured id card is issued after qualification. Each shooter must supply their own ammo. It's the best we can do until Wa. gets their stuff together. If you want info e-mail me. [email protected] Roger
 
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Im also from Illinois and have been retired for 5 years after having served for 30.I was able to qualify through my department until a new mayor was elected last year(also a retired cop from our department by the way).Well in his new found political wisdom he decided that retirees could no longer qualify through the department (hes also a special with a different agency and qualifies through them).Fortunately,as ISP Capt has said ,Illinois has made it fairly easy to qualify( for those whose departments have abandoned them which sadly are quite a few).That said Im looking forward to passage and implementation of the proposed amendments to HR218 which will allow certified Instructors to qualify retired officers using state or local qualification standards.This will relieve us from the whims of some states and many departments that have chosen to ignore our past service!
 
We issue a card stating the date and weapon you qualified with on our "Off Duty" gun course (which is the same course we run for low light, just no flashlight). I believe being a retired officer qualifies as "off duty" . :)

I've qualified a few retired officers from other agencies, in fact I had the legalities of our program researched by the department attorney, who was among the first of the "other agency" officers that shot thru the course. ;)

I believe our State Police Academy will also requalify officers if there's a problem getting back with their old agency.

I wondered about New Jersey law in regards to hollow point ammo. How do they handle current officers carrying jhp ammo? Our agency policy requires us to carry hollow points both on and off duty...
 
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As best as I can tell, NC has pretty much dropped the ball on this. I retired in '08 from Raleigh, the capital city, and there is nothing in place.

Word was that range and training staff were working on the issue, but budget constraints and liability issues had all plans put on permanent 'hold'.
If anyone knows of an agency in NC that is qualifying retirees, I'd like to hear about it.
 
Rick R said:
We issue a card stating the date and weapon you qualified with on our "Off Duty" gun course (which is the same course we run for low light, just no flashlight). I believe being a retired officer qualifies as "off duty" . :)

I've qualified a few retired officers from other agencies, in fact I had the legalities of our program researched by the department attorney, who was among the first of the "other agency" officers that shot thru the course. ;)

I believe our State Police Academy will also requalify officers if there's a problem getting back with their old agency.

I wondered about New Jersey law in regards to hollow point ammo. How do they handle current officers carrying jhp ammo? Our agency policy requires us to carry hollow points both on and off duty...
Click to expand...

Rick, I sense some confusion. If you are currently an active duty LEO you are covered for CCW in all states. You do NOT need a separate card or "special" firearms qualifications. You only need your photo identification issued by your organization. LEOSA essentially presumes one meets organizational firearms standards.

Reitired LEO's must qualify, at least, every 12 months with a recognized course of fire used by active duty personnel. They MUST carry a card certifying they are certified by the issuing organization/state AND a photo identification from the organization from which they retired. (That can be one card but in my experience that is rare.) Off duty firearms courses are recognized and accepted.

You cannot carry hollow point ammo in New Jersey regardless of what your agency policy stipulates. And, of course, agency policy doesn't apply to retired personnel.

Hope this is useful.

Be safe.
 
Big D,

We started with the cards when LEOSA was a new concept for everyone. As the concept has matured we've learned that the cards aren't necessary for current officers, but a few like them to show they're qualified with and authorized to carry an off duty weapon. We had one officer who's gun was stolen out of state and his card had his serial number so he could get it entered into NCIC. :(

We do issue them for retired officers when they come out to requalify however, our state makes a free ccw available to retired officers so we rarely get the old guys at the range.

The more I hear, the more I believe NJ is one of those places I don't really have much reason to go to.

thanks

Rick
 
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Rick R said:
Big D,

We started with the cards when LEOSA was a new concept for everyone. As the concept has matured we've learned that the cards aren't necessary for current officers, but a few like them to show they're qualified with and authorized to carry an off duty weapon. We had one officer who's gun was stolen out of state and his card had his serial number so he could get it entered into NCIC. :(

We do issue them for retired officers when they come out to requalify however, our state makes a free ccw available to retired officers so we rarely get the old guys at the range.

The more I hear, the more I believe NJ is one of those places I don't really have much reason to go to.

thanks

Rick
Click to expand...

Gotcha, Rick; now understood.

BTW, travel through New Jersey often and lived there for a few months. The LEO's there obviously don't go around checking weapons. I carried to/from work, in uniform, regularly. Even carried on board many, many flights out of Newark. I daresay, however, one could get really jammed up (pun intended) if involved in an "bad" incident and was found to be carrying illegal ammo.

Be safe.

PS:

It is worth a trip, though; New Jersey grows the very best tomatos. The best!
 
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