Question for Retired Officers...

[Rexster]

LEOSA does not specifically allow carrying in SOME places where a state-/local license/permit does allow, or MAY allow carry. These will differ, depending upon the state/local laws and rules.

I do not want to be specific, because I do not want to give the haters one bit of free information, on a publicly-viewable site.

 

[Rexster]

Another reason to have both state-/local permits/licenses, and an LEOSA qual, is because so many agencies and PDs close their ranges, for things like pandemics and major natural disasters.

My former employers’ range is about to re-open, for the first time since March. It will take some time for them to to “process” my application, so I can set an appointment.

 

[Don_P]

I've been carrying solely on my HR218/LEOSA credentials, i.e., my retired ID and yearly qualification card.

Do you see any negatives to getting a state carry permit in addition? I don't consider fees an issue.

My thoughts are at some point it might be difficult to get re-certified, finding a qualified person to certify me. If I can't find someone else to do it, when my yearly card expires, I can no longer carry.

Other thought was at some point if I get old enough, I may lose the ability to qualify to the high standard for active police officers, even if I'm still fairly competent otherwise.

Negative would be at this point I'm off the radar as to who knows I own or carry a handgun, that would change with a state permit.

Please share your insight and experience.

I've noticed discussion on topics such as this often brings out negative comments from non LEO's, please be High Road.

I am lucky in that the agency I retired from performs the HR218 annual requal without cost to retirees. Are there are no agencies near you that offer that opportunity? I also have my state concealed carry permit. I would have to believe having a state issued carry permit would be good insurance if HR218 qualifying agencies are few and far between. Lol, not sure how far off the radar any of us gun owners are regardless of who the "licensing" entity may be.

 

[Speedo66]

I am lucky in that the agency I retired from performs the HR218 annual requal without cost to retirees. Are there are no agencies near you that offer that opportunity? I also have my state concealed carry permit. I would have to believe having a state issued carry permit would be good insurance if HR218 qualifying agencies are few and far between. Lol, not sure how far off the radar any of us gun owners are regardless of who the "licensing" entity may be.

The NYS agency I worked for in NYC was the worst when it came to things like that. To get our ID punched “RETIRED” and the “good guy” letter for a permit, we had to sell all handguns except our duty gun which they held for ransom until we got a local permit.

They would not re-qualify us at our academy range and discouraged anything to do with HR218. I used to go to the Rockland Co. sheriff’s dept. to get re-qualified until I moved out of state.

Ho

 

[Archie]

I have both.
When I qualified for the HR 218 license (or more correctly the 18 USC 926 C(d) ID) the requirements were quite simple. Be retired from a lawfully authorized agency recognized by the United States (covers all governmental law enforcement agencies of all levels of government); held a position at time of retirement as an armed peace officer (or equivalent); retire in good standing and qualify once a year to local standards. The city police department where I live provides the once a year qualification, for free. The state LE training facility (some 35 miles from where I live, by happy accident) does the qualification, but charged $50 at the time. States will vary in cooperation, I expect. The local (state) standards are stringent and precise, but not really a major hurdle.
Major value: I can carry anywhere in the United States, save some state or federal owned and restricted buildings. I have family and friends in states not where I live, and I find that handy. (New York City is reported as being overly difficult in this, but that may be a rumor and I presume they have been slapped down so hard as to educate them. But I do not trust them anyway. Ditto for PDSR California, and possibly other Democrat controlled areas. But I'm discrete. Do not attract attention.)
Major restriction: One is limited to one sidearm for the permission. (At least here. This may vary in other states or jurisdictions.)

I also have a state permit. Clean record and $50 bucks. Fingerprints and all that. (Everybody and everybody's dog have my fingerprints. Big deal.) Complete the required training - mostly concerned with legal use of force and demonstrate to instructor basic - very basic - handling skills and knowledge of firearm.
Major value: The license will also act as NCIC check and state firearms purchase permit (essentially written proof one has had a basic NCIC check in the last five year period). No restriction on the type or number of firearm(s) one chooses to carry. Is also good in other states by reciprocity, just like a driver's license or marriage certificate - except the agreement for the Concealed Weapon Permit must specifically exist.
Restriction: No carry in courts, state owned buildings (which includes county or city owned buildings so restricted). Big deal. Carry in private buildings and businesses subject to owner's decision.

 

[JJFitch]

Retired here 13 years and just about to turn 73.
I shoot OFTEN [ mostly pistol and taught that too ] and I have a state permit that I have had since 1977,long before I was an LEO.
I am of the EXTREMELY FIRM opinion that ,if you can get the LEOSA/ HR218 qual ,even if you need to go a long way ONCE A YEAR = do it.
I travel out of state OFTEN and I drive.
So its a no brainer for me.
If I get to where I cannot do a qual,I might consider getting rid of the pistols and go shotgun/carbine.
I still score a 100% with ANY pistol I own.
If your squeemish about your HR218 thing,then by all means get a CCW permit in your state.

The problem with certain states is reciprocity with other states if you travel alot!! The HR218 is "supposed" to be valid in all states but in todays environment who knows for sure!

As a POST certified firearms instructor I'm able to do "Quals" for retirees.
The originating department determines the standards and what records are completed, sent retained.
I don't think there is a "one size fits all" scenario!

Smiles,

 

[Don_P]

The problem with certain states is reciprocity with other states if you travel alot!! The HR218 is "supposed" to be valid in all states but in todays environment who knows for sure!..........

Having traveled cross country a few times by vehicle in the past few years I have to say that was a big concern of mine at the time(s). Thankfully I never had it put to the test.

 

[Speedo66]

I have had thoughts about officers not knowing about HR218. If in a traffic stop situation, letting the officer know I'm carrying and then being asked for a CCW permit and not having one. As unlikely as this might seem, I have talked to some officers who have no idea about HR218.

I'm sure it would eventually be worked out, but if on a trip, or with other people, it could present a definite time consuming glitch.

 

[scaatylobo]

The problem with certain states is reciprocity with other states if you travel alot!! The HR218 is "supposed" to be valid in all states but in todays environment who knows for sure!

As a POST certified firearms instructor I'm able to do "Quals" for retirees.
The originating department determines the standards and what records are completed, sent retained.
I don't think there is a "one size fits all" scenario!

Smiles,

I carry CCW insurance for any situation where the officer is ignorant of the LAW !.

I also would be THRILLED to be arrested in violation of FEDERAL LAW that honors my CCW license to carry in ALL 50 states.

The lawsuit would be wonderful for my retirement !.

But since even NYS honors those who are HR218/LEOSA certified,I am pretty sure that the rest will.

btw = I drive across this great and beautiful country fairly often,yes I even step on the gas a bit too much [ and get passed by SO many ].

And was even stopped in Colo about 2 years ago,NO QUESTIONS about my 'condition' as to being armed.

I am a firm believer in getting and keeping the HR218/LEOSA thing if your qualified.

 

[Old Dog]

I have had thoughts about officers not knowing about HR218.

I haven't been so worried about that as I have the simple hassle of flying into NYC or Washington DC and spending the extra hour or so each way providing my documentation to the TSA chumps. ... I've found that most of the older officers (especially those who are now thinking about retirement) are fairly well-versed about LEOSA and the experienced guys sure don't want to give up their carrying rights. It's the new breed, the younger liberal types we've been recruiting (to be honest, large numbers of diversity hires off college campuses) that don't take the whole firearms thing seriously for themselves and don't believe in armed citizens, that I worry most about. We're recruiting people who've never even seen, much less held or fired, a real gun in their entire lives (initial range training and qualifications are painful) and you should see them learning defensive tactics. It's a strange new world in law enforcement, to be sure. Waitin' to get de-funded ...

 

[Rock185]

Since every day after I was eligible to retire was optional, I got a state permit, even though I didn't end up needing it for a couple more years. So I kept the state permit, and added LEOSA after I retired. I just figured having both couldn't hurt. But I will say the LEOSA qualification seems to roll around sooner each year, and it ain't getting any easier...

 

[Rbstuartjr]

I too, have both Leosa and state ccw. I got the ccw before I retired because the Hr218 was new. I qualify at the Rockland County range in NY as well because I live close by retired from the local agency. That class fills up so fast, that your card could expire before you could get a class date. Happened to me one year. So by having both, it covers me just in case.

 

[Kevin Keith]

I've been retired for 10 years. I need to do one or the other. I'll probably just get the concealed permit. My retired credentials are reserved for getting out of speeding tickets. : )

 

[lemaymiami]

Good luck with that... the very first time I told the marine patrol type that stopped me on the water that I had just retired (fall of 1995)... his reply was “you ought to know better”...

Nice to know where you stand. That young hot dog went against the only advice about police work my Dad ever gave me. He said “Kid, don’t be a prick”. Pretty good advice - wish I could say I always followed it — but I did try...

 

[Speedo66]

I've been retired for 10 years. I need to do one or the other. I'll probably just get the concealed permit. My retired credentials are reserved for getting out of speeding tickets. : )

With all this talk of privilege I've been reading about, some things are better left unsaid.....

 

[old lady new shooter]

AZ carry permit has reciprocity with 38 states, but if you wanna carry in Cali, NY, NJ etc, your LEOSA would be a Very Good Thing to have.

 

[Terry G]

With all this talk of privilege I've been reading about, some things are better left unsaid.....

I know where you're coming from. I'll just say this. Not once, but twice I was approached by released convicts. Both times their remarks were just short of a threat. That's what LEOSA is about.

 

[Speedo66]

I know where you're coming from. I'll just say this. Not once, but twice I was approached by released convicts. Both times their remarks were just short of a threat. That's what LEOSA is about.

That, and having a no longer employed, but still experienced and trained, group of people out there who can assist others in moments of dire need.

 

[lemaymiami]

The day I retired out I always knew there was a possibility that someone might come to my door with a grievance -and a gun. So far though it hasn't happened for 25 years... Always a possibility though whether you've been retired for a week or many years...

I'm long out of police work and hope I'm smart enough to stay out of other folks troubles - but to this day I will not stand by and watch someone getting badly hurt or killed. Hopefully I can get authorities to respond and just be a witness... but that's not always possible.

 

[Speedo66]

The day I retired out I always knew there was a possibility that someone might come to my door with a grievance -and a gun. So far though it hasn't happened for 25 years... Always a possibility though whether you've been retired for a week or many years...

I'm long out of police work and hope I'm smart enough to stay out of other folks troubles - but to this day I will not stand by and watch someone getting badly hurt or killed. Hopefully I can get authorities to respond and just be a witness... but that's not always possible.

Yup, long retired, but I'm still stupid enough to go towards troubling situations instead of away from them. lol

It just becomes part of who you are.

 

[scaatylobo]

Yup, long retired, but I'm still stupid enough to go towards troubling situations instead of away from them. lol

It just becomes part of who you are.

I fully grasp your thoughts.

I was "stepping up" long before I became an LEO [ and that was in new york city ].

So I will try VERY hard to not get involved as I am old and got 'reminders' of the job [ surgerys etc ].

But I am pretty sure I will not stand by if no one is stopping the obvious injury/death to another.

ESPECIALLY if that 'other' is a LEO !

 

[Old Dog]

I know where you're coming from. I'll just say this. Not once, but twice I was approached by released convicts. Both times their remarks were just short of a threat. That's what LEOSA is about.

Up here they ain't so subtle ... "Not so tough without your partner and back-up around, eh?" "Hey, homes, you out here by yourself?" I always say, "No, got my buddies with me: Mr Smith and Mr Wesson" or "No, Mr Sig and Mr Sauer are around somewhere."

 

[Speedo66]

On July 10th I made my appt. with the local issuing sheriffs office for a license, earliest date was this past Tue, Sept. 29.

I went in there, they accepted my HR218 qualification in lieu of state mandated training, photographed and printed me. State policy is to waive any fees for honorably discharged veterans, showed my DD214 as proof, and it was free.

Yesterday, Fri., three days later, the license arrived in the mail. Figuring time in the mail accounted for a day or two, can't believe they processed it that fast.

Although, NYC carry permit was even faster. I handed in my application at NYPD headquarters and asked how long it would take, figuring a few months. They asked if I was in a hurry. It was issued to me the same day while I waited.