The House of Representatives is expected to vote on a bill today that would allow police to carry concealed weapons when off-duty outside their home jurisdictions and across state lines.
Several lawmakers will gather after the vote to discuss the bill, H.R. 218. Joining them will be representatives from the Law Enforcement Alliance of America, the National Association of Police Organizations and the National Law Enforcement Council, according to a statement.
The House Judiciary Committee passed the bill last week after it had been stalled “for years,” supporters say. They predict the bill will pass the House by a large margin, will be approved by the Senate and go to President Bush for his signature this year.
“Our long fight – over ten years now – to pass a law to allow qualified off-duty and retired law-enforcement professionals to be able to carry their firearms outside of their home jurisdiction may finally be over,” said Jim Fotis, President of LEAA. “Hopefully we will not lose one more police officer’s life while we wait for this long overdue, common-sense bill to become the law of the land.”
According to the organization, LEAA has more than 75,000 members and supporters nationwide.
