The LEOSA Reform Act updates federal law to clarify concealed carry exceptions in school zones and modernizes qualification standards and carrying privileges for qualified active and retired law enforcement officers in certain federal facilities.
Don Bacon
Representative
NE-2
The LEOSA Reform Act updates federal laws to better align concealed carry rights for qualified active and retired law enforcement officers with existing school zone restrictions. This legislation modernizes the Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act (LEOSA) by expanding qualification standards for retired officers and clarifying where they may carry firearms, including in certain lower-security federal facilities. The bill ensures that LEOSA-authorized carriers are not inadvertently violating federal school zone prohibitions.
| Party | Total Votes | Yes | No | Did Not Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Democrat | 213 | 14 | 193 | 6 |
Republican | 220 | 215 | 0 | 5 |
LEOSA Reform Bill Allows Retired Cops to Carry Guns in School Zones and Low-Security Federal Buildings
The “LEOSA Reform Act” is making some significant changes to who can carry concealed firearms and where, specifically targeting the rules for active and retired law enforcement officers. If you’ve ever heard of LEOSA—the Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act—this bill is designed to clean up some legal gray areas and expand its reach, particularly concerning schools and federal facilities.
Clearing the School Zone Confusion
Right now, federal law generally prohibits carrying a firearm in a designated “school zone.” This bill changes that for a specific group: qualified active and retired law enforcement officers covered under LEOSA (Sections 926B and 926C). Essentially, the bill carves out an explicit exception in the Gun-Free School Zones Act (Section 922(q)(2)(B)) so that these officers can legally carry their concealed weapons in these areas. For parents, this is the provision that matters most: it means more armed individuals, even if they are trained law enforcement, are legally permitted to carry concealed firearms onto school property or in the immediate vicinity where they were previously prohibited. The intent is likely to ensure officers aren’t breaking the law while passing through, but the practical effect is a loosening of restrictions in sensitive areas.
Modernizing the Retirement Check-Up
One of the biggest practical hurdles for retired officers wanting to keep their LEOSA certification is the annual qualification standard. Previously, they often had to meet the standards of their former agency, which could be cumbersome or outdated. This bill modernizes that process (Section 3). Now, a retired officer can prove proficiency by meeting the firearms training standards set by their former agency, the state where they live, a local law enforcement agency in their state, or even a certified firearms instructor in their state. They just need to meet the standard within the last 12 months. This is a huge win for retired officers, especially those who have moved across state lines, as it gives them much more flexibility and access to local training options.
New Access to Federal Buildings
Currently, carrying firearms in federal facilities is highly restricted. The LEOSA Reform Act opens the door for qualified active and retired officers to carry firearms and ammunition in certain federal facilities (Section 4). The key is the security level: this new permission only applies to facilities designated as Facility Security Level I or Level II. These are generally the lower-security buildings that are open to the general public, which the bill defines as a “civilian public access facility.” While this makes sense for officers needing to access public-facing federal offices, it does introduce firearms into spaces like post offices or Social Security offices that are currently designated as gun-free zones, potentially complicating security for the federal agencies managing those sites. The security levels themselves are based on assessments done every two years, meaning the status of a building could technically change over time, adding a layer of administrative complexity.