LEOSA Reform Act Proposes Expanded Carry Rights for Officers in National Parks, School Zones, Certain Federal Buildings

The LEOSA Reform Act aims to significantly broaden where qualified current and retired law enforcement officers can legally carry concealed firearms, while also adjusting how retired officers maintain their qualifications.

Where the Rules Might Change

This bill proposes several key expansions to the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA), which currently allows qualified officers to carry concealed firearms across state lines. If passed, these changes would:

• Open Up School Zones: Amend the Gun-Free School Zones Act (specifically 18 U.S.C. § 922(q)(2)(B)) to explicitly exempt officers qualified under LEOSA, allowing them to carry in these areas.
• Include National Parks: Modify LEOSA (18 U.S.C. §§ 926B(a) & 926C(a)) to override federal laws or Interior Department regulations that might restrict firearms in the National Park System.
• Cover Certain Federal Buildings: Amend the law regarding firearms in federal facilities (18 U.S.C. § 930) to permit LEOSA-qualified officers to carry firearms and ammunition in civilian public access federal facilities designated as Facility Security Level (FSL) I or II. These are typically lower-security federal buildings accessible to the public, defined by standards from the Interagency Security Committee.
• Clarify Public/Transport Property: The bill adjusts language (18 U.S.C. §§ 926B(b) & 926C(b)) regarding exceptions for property used by common carriers (like bus or train companies) and property open to the public. The change appears intended to strengthen LEOSA's preemption over state or local laws restricting firearms in these locations.

Magazines and Marksmanship Standards

Beyond locations, the bill tackles equipment and qualifications:

• Magazines Included: It explicitly adds "any magazine" to the definition of "firearm" under LEOSA (18 U.S.C. §§ 926B(e)(2) & 926C(e)(1)(B)). This could mean that state or local restrictions on magazine capacity might not apply to LEOSA-qualified officers carrying under this authority.
• Flexible Qualification for Retirees: The standards for retired officers to prove firearms proficiency (18 U.S.C. § 926C(c)(4)) are broadened. Instead of just their former agency or state standards, they could now meet the standards of any law enforcement agency in their state of residence, or those set by any certified firearms instructor within that state. The certification process (18 U.S.C. § 926C(d)) is similarly expanded, allowing these same entities (any agency or instructor in the state) to certify that the retiree meets the required training standards.

What It Means Day-to-Day

In practical terms, this legislation could lead to qualified current and retired officers carrying firearms in more public places, including national parks you might visit, federal buildings like post offices or Social Security offices, and potentially on public transit or other public properties previously subject to stricter local rules. For retired officers, maintaining their LEOSA qualification could become easier logistically, offering more options for training and certification, though this shift also raises questions about ensuring consistent proficiency standards across different certifiers.