“This is about improving the effectiveness and safety of our law enforcement officers,” Rehberg, a member of the House Second Amendment Caucus, said. “Montana has had this program in effect on a statewide level for some time. This legislation will permit Montana officers to carry concealed weapons across state lines."

The Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2003 amends the federal criminal code to authorize qualified current and retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms.  It would allow law enforcement to carry their weapons across state lines without worrying about obtaining special permits in states where reciprocity is not in effect. 

“Trusting police offers to do their jobs and protect citizens is just plain common sense,” Rehberg said. “As a matter of principle, we should allow qualified law enforcement officials to serve and protect the public without the heavy hand of bureaucracy. Our bill does just that, and I urge the Senate to do the right thing and pass the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act.”

The bill does not permit officers to carry machine guns, firearms silencers, or destructive devices such as bombs, grenades, and rocket launchers.  Nothing in the legislation would supersede state laws that restrict the possession of a concealed weapon on any state or local government property, or that allow private citizens to restrict concealed weapons on their property. 

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