Senate BillS 679Firearms and explosivesGovernment buildings, facilities, and property
LEOSA Reform Act
INTRO FEB 20· LAST ACTION FEB 20
READING
6MIN
COSPONSORS
13
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
This bill matters because it significantly broadens the locations where current and retired law enforcement officers can carry concealed firearms, potentially changing the presence of armed individuals in many public spaces. If passed, it would overturn existing federal 'gun-free school zones' for LEOSA-qualified officers, as well as override state, local, and private property restrictions on carrying firearms on public transportation and in publicly accessible private venues. This shifts the balance between federal authority on officer carry rights and local control or private property rights regarding firearms.
Voters should care because it impacts public safety discussions, the role of federal vs. local gun laws, and the rights of retired officers. If the bill becomes law, it could lead to more armed individuals in places like schools, malls, and federal buildings. If it doesn't pass, the current restrictions and qualification requirements for LEOSA-qualified officers would remain in place, maintaining the existing rules for firearm presence in these areas.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
Allows qualified current and retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms in Gun-Free School Zones.
This provision overrides existing federal prohibitions, allowing armed officers in and around schools.
PROVISION 02
Permits qualified officers to carry concealed firearms on public transportation and on private property open to the public, even if local laws or property owners prohibit firearms.
This expands where officers can carry, overriding state/local laws and private property rules in places like malls, stadiums, and transit systems.
PROVISION 03
Expands options for retired law enforcement officers to complete their annual firearms qualification, including through any certified instructor, and allows states to extend the qualification period up to 36 months.
This makes it significantly easier for retired officers to maintain their authorization to carry concealed firearms.
PROVISION 04
Allows qualified current and retired law enforcement officers to carry firearms in lower-security federal facilities that are open to the general public.
This creates an exception to the general prohibition on firearms in federal buildings for these officers.
PROVISION 05
Clarifies that the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) overrides other federal laws and regulations, including those pertaining to National Park System units, regarding concealed carry for qualified officers.
This ensures broader carry rights for officers in various federal areas, including national parks.
This bill matters because it significantly broadens the locations where current and retired law enforcement officers can carry concealed firearms, potentially changing the presence of armed individuals in many public spaces. If passed, it would overturn existing federal 'gun-free school zones' for LEOSA-qualified officers, as well as override state, local, and private property restrictions on carrying firearms on public transportation and in publicly accessible private venues. This shifts the balance between federal authority on officer carry rights and local control or private property rights regarding firearms.
Voters should care because it impacts public safety discussions, the role of federal vs. local gun laws, and the rights of retired officers. If the bill becomes law, it could lead to more armed individuals in places like schools, malls, and federal buildings. If it doesn't pass, the current restrictions and qualification requirements for LEOSA-qualified officers would remain in place, maintaining the existing rules for firearm presence in these areas.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Allows qualified current and retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms in Gun-Free School Zones.
This provision overrides existing federal prohibitions, allowing armed officers in and around schools.
high
Permits qualified officers to carry concealed firearms on public transportation and on private property open to the public, even if local laws or property owners prohibit firearms.
This expands where officers can carry, overriding state/local laws and private property rules in places like malls, stadiums, and transit systems.
med
Expands options for retired law enforcement officers to complete their annual firearms qualification, including through any certified instructor, and allows states to extend the qualification period up to 36 months.
This makes it significantly easier for retired officers to maintain their authorization to carry concealed firearms.
med
Allows qualified current and retired law enforcement officers to carry firearms in lower-security federal facilities that are open to the general public.
This creates an exception to the general prohibition on firearms in federal buildings for these officers.
med
Clarifies that the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) overrides other federal laws and regulations, including those pertaining to National Park System units, regarding concealed carry for qualified officers.
This ensures broader carry rights for officers in various federal areas, including national parks.
GLOSSARY
AI-written
Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004 (LEOSA)
A federal law that allows qualified current and retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms across state lines, generally overriding state and local laws, with some exceptions.
Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990
A federal law that generally prohibits individuals from knowingly possessing a firearm in a school zone, with certain exceptions (like for law enforcement).
Concealed Firearm
A handgun or other firearm that is carried hidden from ordinary observation, typically on a person or within reach.
Qualified Law Enforcement Officer
A current police officer or other law enforcement official who meets specific federal requirements to carry a concealed firearm under LEOSA.
Qualified Retired Law Enforcement Officer
A former police officer or other law enforcement official who retired in good standing and meets specific federal requirements to carry a concealed firearm under LEOSA, including regular firearms qualification.
Civilian Public Access Facility
A federal building or facility that is open to the general public for various purposes.
Facility Security Level I or II
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTS
FEB 20, 25
Introduced in Senate
INTROREFERRAL
FEB 20, 25
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Designations assigned to federal facilities based on their assessed security risk, with Level I being the lowest risk and Level V being the highest. Level I and II facilities are generally considered lower-security.
