WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today introduced the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) Reform Act, which would expand the concealed-carry rights of qualified law enforcement officers.

“America’s police officers protect communities whether they’re on-duty or off. The LEOSA Reform Act would make Louisianians and all Americans safer by expanding concealed-carry rights for off-duty and retired cops in public places. Brave officers should be able to protect and serve their communities without absurd red tape,” said Kennedy.

The LEOSA Reform Act builds on the original LEOSA of 2004, which gives qualified officers—whether active, retired or no longer working in law enforcement—the right to carry concealed firearms in any U.S. state or territory, regardless of state or local laws. The original legislation, however, contains numerous exceptions, including bans on concealed-carry rights on certain state, local and federal government property.

The LEOSA Reform Act would expand the original bill by allowing qualified officers to carry their concealed firearms in the following locations:

• State, local and private property otherwise open to the public,
• National parks, and
• Certain federal public access facilities and
• School zones.

The bill would also allow qualified officers to carry magazines that are not prohibited by federal law and to carry their concealed firearms in gun-free school zones. It would alleviate other undue burdens on concealed-carry rights.

Sens. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Rick Scott (R-Fla.) have co-sponsored the LEOSA Reform Act. Read the bill here.