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| Home Front: Politix |
| Court Rules Cops Can Carry Guns ... Nationwide! |
| 2008-11-22 |
| A ruling on a case from South Dakota -- where off-duty law enforcement officers were criminally charged for carrying guns despite the authority to do so under the federal 'Law Enforcement Officer's Safety Act of 2004' (LEOSA) -- has confirmed that all qualified off-duty and retired law enforcement are allowed, by federal law, to carry a concealed gun for personal self-defense irrespective of state law. The federal law supersedes the crazy, confusing and often conflicted state and local laws that limit legitimate self-defense. Law Enforcement Alliance of America's Executive Director, Jim Fotis said, "When LEAA co-authored the original draft of what became affectionately known as 'National Cop Carry' back in the early 1990's, I knew it would save cops' lives and give those who choose to resist violent criminals a fighting chance. In 2004 I shook President Bush's hand after he signed our bill into law and rejoiced that our fight -- for more than a decade -- was finally over!" The local prosecutor's apparent effort to challenge the federal law, and send a message to all in law enforcement not to carry a gun for self-defense in South Dakota, was soundly rejected! Thankfully, after careful review, the gun charges against the officers were dismissed. "The Judge's crystal clear and unambiguous legal opinion should be required reading for every prosecutor in the nation so that no other law enforcement professionals, active or retired, have to endure what those officers and agents have endured in South Dakota," declared Carl Rowan, LEAA's Vice President. Robert Van Norman and Kenneth Orrock, Attorneys for the officers, said "We are pleased with the court's decision, as it reaffirms the intent of the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act and in effect will protect law enforcement officers and our communities. The law enforcement community should find comfort that LEOSA has been properly applied in this case." The Law Enforcement Alliance of America, Inc., (LEAA) is the nation's largest not for profit, non-partisan coalition of law enforcement professionals, crime victims, and concerned citizens dedicated to making America safer. |
| Posted by:tipper |
| #3 I'm glad i'm not the only one who thinks this is wrong. Read Peels nine principles of policing, and you will see that the police and the public should be the same. Special privileges for police members is NOT the answer. |
| Posted by: Bright Pebbles 2008-11-22 22:01 |
| #2 Dar: One day the country will come back to the Constitution and Bill of Rights. The 2nd Amendment is an individual and inalienable right. The Bill of Rights says nothing about rights beginning and ending at State borders. |
| Posted by: JohnQC 2008-11-22 16:41 |
| #1 That's nice--how about the rest of us? That's the next step. As long as my driver's license is good in any state of the Union, so should my CCL be. |
| Posted by: Dar 2008-11-22 13:05 |