Steven Mace
03-07-2003, 09:49 AM
Committee OKs Concealed Guns for Ex-Cops
Thu Mar 6, 6:34 PM ET
WASHINGTON - Former law enforcement officers would be allowed to carry concealed weapons into states that ban them under legislation approved Thursday by the Senate Judiciary Committee (news - web sites).
"By enabling qualified active duty and retired law enforcement officers to carry firearms, even if off-duty, more trained law enforcement officers will be on the street to enforce the law and to respond to crises," Judiciary Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said.
The bill — approved by a 18-1 vote — now goes to the full Senate. The legislation applies to retired as well as off-duty law enforcement officers who are in good standing with their departments, senators said.
The legislation does not trump state laws banning concealed weapons on private property, state or local government properties, installations, buildings, bases or parks, senators said.
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., argued that having police officers carrying weapons into unfamiliar jurisdictions would "make conditions more dangerous for police officers and civilians, not less."
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The bill number is S. 253.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20030306/ap_on_go_co/concealed_weapons_3
Steve Mace
Thu Mar 6, 6:34 PM ET
WASHINGTON - Former law enforcement officers would be allowed to carry concealed weapons into states that ban them under legislation approved Thursday by the Senate Judiciary Committee (news - web sites).
"By enabling qualified active duty and retired law enforcement officers to carry firearms, even if off-duty, more trained law enforcement officers will be on the street to enforce the law and to respond to crises," Judiciary Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said.
The bill — approved by a 18-1 vote — now goes to the full Senate. The legislation applies to retired as well as off-duty law enforcement officers who are in good standing with their departments, senators said.
The legislation does not trump state laws banning concealed weapons on private property, state or local government properties, installations, buildings, bases or parks, senators said.
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., argued that having police officers carrying weapons into unfamiliar jurisdictions would "make conditions more dangerous for police officers and civilians, not less."
___
The bill number is S. 253.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20030306/ap_on_go_co/concealed_weapons_3
Steve Mace