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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | September 21, 2016 11:19 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative David H. Zimmerman |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Off-Duty Police - Carry Concealed Firearm on School Property |
| The federal Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004 (LEOSA) was enacted to allow current or retired police officers who meet various standards, including current qualification with their firearms, to carry concealed firearms. Pennsylvania’s Act 79 of 2005 implemented LEOSA for retired law enforcement officers within the Commonwealth. These retired and off-duty police officers, trained to use firearms for public protection purposes, are an untapped resource in the Commonwealth’s efforts to fight crime and violence. Section 912 of the Crimes Code prohibits the possession of weapons on school property except for a weapon “possessed and used in conjunction with a lawful supervised school activity or course or… possessed for other lawful purpose.” While I don’t believe anyone would argue that an on-duty police officer in uniform certainly falls within this exception, the lack of clarity regarding off-duty or retired officers is problematic. In the near future, I intend to introduce legislation to clarify that a “qualified law enforcement officer” or a “qualified retired law enforcement officer,” as defined by LEOSA, can carry a concealed firearm on school property. Please join me in sponsoring this important piece of legislation. |
Introduced as HB2407