OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act

Date: March 2, 2004
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Criminal Justice

PROTECTION OF LAWFUL COMMERCE IN ARMS ACT

Ms. CANTWELL. Mr. President, I am pleased to rise today as a cosponsor of the amendment offered by Senators CAMPBELL and LEAHY, the Law Enforcement Safety Act. This legislation will take sensible steps to improve public safety by allowing trained active and retired law enforcement officers to carry their service weapons across State lines without needless bureaucratic hurdles.

In my State of Washington, all law enforcement officers are permitted to carry concealed weapons, and many jurisdictions require officers to do so. In addition, all retired officers can obtain concealed weapons permits, and my State grants reciprocal privileges to any law enforcement officer visiting the State. This allows officers to continue to play a role in maintaining public safety wherever they may be. I believe that the successful example set by officers in my State shows that this legislation warrants the support of this body. I believe that this is solid policy and that extending a similar policy across the country will have beneficial public safety effects.

I fully support aspects of this bill that are stronger than the current policy in my State: Requiring retired officers to maintain their firearms skills, and preserving local laws barring firearms in specific locations, like churches and schools.

Police officers are entrusted by the public with an important responsibility. Since the events of September 11, we have placed new burdens of our Federal, local, and State officers. We have often done so without providing them the resources they need to do the job. This amendment is a step to correcting that oversight by allowing the people who are the most well-trained in how and when to use firearms to avoid outdated restrictions on carrying and traveling with firearms.

I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and to provide additional support to our law enforcement officers across the country. I look forward to working with the amendments sponsors to ensure its adoption.

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