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   Brothers and Sisters, FOP 89 notified the membership some time ago that in accordance with Governor Hogan's Executive order, LEOSA permits set to expire while a State of Emergency is in effect would be valid until 30 days after the State of Emergency has been lifted. Recently the Maryland State Police Licensing Division has posted a revised understanding of this policy. MSP now asserts that the ONLY LEOSA permits which are covered under the Governor's Executive Order are those actually issued by MSP for retired troopers and fire marshals. FOP attorneys from SBW Law have reached out to the MSP Licensing Division for clarification as well as looking for governing case law which may support our members affected by this new interpretation of the Governor's Order. All members must be aware that based on this new interpretation, if a member is carrying a weapon on an expired LEOSA card, they may in fact be in violation of the Laws of the State of Maryland as well as other states. As soon as further information is received, the membership will be notified. In addition, once our range is permitted to resume LEOSA qualifications dates will be provided by the Retired Association. Lt. John W. Teletchea 2193 INFO ON MARYLAND CHANGES CONCEALED CARRY BILL SB1. Please see the attached overview of SB1 (as it stands currently). We want to continue to educate our members in this evolving situation. Please take your time to read the attachment in detail. It outlines the new Law and wear & carry restrictions. While there are protections under LEOSA, the new State Law (SB1) IS ALLOWED to restrict LEOSA provisions. AS IT STANDS, without any Judicial action prior to October 1, these new provisions will take effect on October 1st, 2023. As stated in our previous message, we are monitoring this along with SBWD Law on a daily basis. *Just to reiterate, the State FOP HAS filed against this bill on behalf of our members. The NRA has filed the lead lawsuit against this bill. The lawsuit was filed the moment the bill was signed. Despite stout legal opposition to this bill, the Judiciary has yet to schedule a hearing in this matter.** Members- During this year’s legislative session, the General Assembly passed, and the Governor is expected to sign Senate Bill 1. This bill’s sponsor, Senator Jeff Waldstreicher (D, Montgomery County) is the vice-chair of the Senate’s Judicial Proceedings Committee. Senate Bill 1 was drafted in response to the changes regarding the carrying and permitting of handguns required by the Supreme Court’s decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen, 597 U.S. ___ (2022). From the beginning of the legislative session, the State FOP has been engaged with Sen. Waldstriecher and others in an effort to ensure appropriate law enforcement exemptions were added to the law. During the legislative process, this bill was amended, struck, re-written, and re-amended, many, many times. Although it is expected that various gun-rights groups will mount a legal challenge to the law, it is important for our members to understand how this bill will affect their abilities to carry firearms if and when the law becomes enforceable. In general, this bill modifies the criteria for issuance of a carry-permit and creates many more restrictions on the carrying of firearms (handguns AND long-guns) for everyone in Maryland, but the summary below focuses on the effect this bill will have on the ability to carry firearms for active and retired law enforcement professionals. Note that in all cases, the inadvertent, momentary exposure of a concealed firearm is exempt from enforcement of these laws. Carrying a handgun under 4-203 of the Criminal Law Article This section is the current law which prohibits the carrying of a handgun. Exceptions exist for those that have permits issued by the State. Additionally, there are exemptions for active law enforcement officers. The federal Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) supersedes and restrictions imposed by this section and allows our retired law enforcement officers and out-of-state active and retired law enforcement officers to carry handguns while complying with LEOSA’s requirements. Carrying a firearm under 4-111 of the Criminal Law Article This is a new section which limits the carrying of a firearm in “special places.” These special places are listed as: Government or Public Infrastructure Areas (such as buildings owned or leased by state or local government, private and public colleges/universities, polling places, gas, electric, and nuclear plants); Areas for Children or Vulnerable Adults (such as pre-schools, pre-K schools, private schools, health care facilities); locations that sell alcohol or cannabis for on-site consumption, stadiums, museums, racetracks, video lottery facilities. For these locations, unless exempted by the law, it is illegal to willfully carry a firearm in these places. Exemptions include ALL (in-state and out-of-state) law enforcement officers and retirees. Exemptions also include Maryland concealed carry permit holders. Trespassing by Carrying a Firearm under 6-411 of the Criminal Law Article This is a new section which limits the carrying of a firearm in buildings on private property and dwellings. This section defines “property” as privately owned buildings. “Property” does NOT apply to parking lots or other exterior areas. “Dwelling” does NOT include common areas of: condos, multi-dwelling units (such as apartment buildings), and Co-ops. This section prohibits the carrying of all firearms in any such private property or dwelling unless permission has been given by the property owner or owner’s agent or a sign is posted allowing firearms to be carried. It is PRESUMED that you do NOT have permission to carry in these places. Exemptions include ALL active law enforcement officers. THERE IS NO EXEMPTIONS FOR RETIRED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS. There is NO exemption for concealed carry permit holders. This means that someone who is not exempted may not carry a firearm into a gas station to pay for fuel or use the restroom. They may not carry into a restaurant. They may not carry into their friend’s home while picking up their child. They may not carry into Home Depot, Target, Dunkin Donuts, etc. etc. The FOP recognizes the problem for our retirees with 6-411 and is working to make changes to this law to protect our members. We ask that you remember: Under these new laws and LEOSA, we are all required to properly conceal our carried firearms, qualify with them, and carry credentials from our agency. Brothers and Sisters, The Retired Association would like to update the information for those seeking LEOSA insurance. The only company we have right now is Public Safety Defense Agency. They can be reached at psdamarketing@psdains.com If there are other companies please let us know. Subject: New Jersey Friearms Law Please see the statement below and the attachment regarding carrying a firearm off-duty to New Jersey as a final destination or through New Jersey to another state. This has been vetted and is accurate. The State of New Jersey recently enacted a law (attached) which prohibits active police officers who are in an off duty capacity from carrying a firearm magazine which is capable of holding more than 10 rounds. This provision applies to those not residing in the State of New Jersey and whose final destination is within the State of New Jersey. Below is additional information provided by the New Jersey State Police: The recent amendments to New Jersey Statutes 2C:39-1,2C:39-2,2C:39-3,2C:39-5,2C:39-6,2C:39-9 and 2C:58-3c regarding possession and acquisition of firearms applies as follows: For all active duty law enforcement traveling to New Jersey for a work related reason, same are authorized to carry their duty weapon, ammunition and magazines as per departmental guidelines for your department. If they are traveling for a non work related reason to New Jersey, they are carrying ten round magazines for the weapon they carry and fall under the federal guidelines of (HR218). If they are traveling through New Jersey and New Jersey is not the final destination, then they can place magazines exceeding 10 rounds in a locked case in the trunk and transport in that fashion. They would need to carry the ten round magazines in their firearm while in the State of New Jersey. For all retired law enforcement not residing in New Jersey but traveling to New Jersey as the final destination, same would fall under the ten round magazine capacity limit and should carry under the Federal Law (HR218). They would also need to carry ball ammunition. No hollow point ammunition for retired law enforcement as per a recent attorney general memo. The fifteen round magazine capacity exemption is currently being applied only to New Jersey State residents with the valid Retired Police Officers Permit to Carry. It should be noted there are several bill submissions being put forward to change this law further. The amendments to the current law would cover round capacity and address the issues with law enforcement exemptions. We would strongly advise your department to continue to watch these changes for the very near future as they may change the above information. For further information, please contact the New Jersey State Police Firearms Investigation Unit at (609) 882-2000 ext. 2060. dnr.maryland.gov Major Lloyd Ingerson Maryland Natural Resources Police Department of Natural Resources Prince George's County HR 218 All, Prince George's County Police Department L.E.O.S.A. SIGN UP Prince George's County HR 218 THIS FORM IS FOR FORMER PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY POLICE OFFICERS ONLY. ANY NON PGPD SUBMISSIONS WILL BE DELETED AND NOT ALLOWED ENTRY . Please be prompt. If you need to cancel, please contact the range ASAP so the vacancy can be filled with another shooter. Retirees scheduled to qualify at the Prince George's County Police Firearms Range on Dille Drive must bring with them the notarized Affidavit in order to receive a certification card. Retiree's attending must bring with them the attached notarized application for certification. Currently there is no notary on staff. Retiree's must also have a holster that fits securely outside their pants. Also please note any retiree wishing to qualify with a revolver must have a six shot revolver. Frangible 40 cal. 9 mm and 38 cal. ammunition will be made available. Any retiree qualifying with another caliber handgun must have lead free ammunition. ALL ammo used at the range is green, which means NO LEAD at all. If you bring your own ammo, Mr. Jimmy Baden #C-1395 Prince George's County Police Training and Education Division Manager, Firearms Training Section Desk: 301-952-3110 Cell: 240-695-4428 Email: jlbaden@co.pg.md.us Jimmy Baden sent the following information regarding LEOSA qualification dates: PLEASE READ IN ENTIRETY BEFORE SIGNING UP FOR QUALIFICATIONS. All, PLEASE READ IN ENTIRETY BEFORE SIGNING UP FOR QUALIFICATIONS. We are conducting qualifications at the new Indoor Facility. We do not have a correct address as of yet due to permits; however, we are in the very large building on the left at the end of Dille Drive in Upper Marlboro across from DOC. We will not be operating here in the same fashion as Dyson Road. When you arrive, your weapons MUST remain HOLSTERED and secured on your belt, or in a case. PLEASE DO NOT ARRIVE CARRYING A HOLSTERED WEAPON IN YOUR HAND. DO NOT UNHOLSTER. DO NOT UNLOAD YOUR WEAPONS. DO NOT UNLOAD MAGAZINES. Enter the lobby and wait there. A Firearms Instructor will greet you in the lobby and provide you with directions from that point. Please see attached link for the application that must be completed and notarized before your card can be issued. There will be a Morning Session and an Afternoon Session each day. The Morning Session will start at 0830 hours. The Afternoon Session will start at 1330 hours.to sign up for qualification, click on the link below. If you attempt to sign up and no date and time is available, all slots are full. Don't get discouraged. This facility should provide us with more dates and times for qualifications coming soon. Current Available Sessions: July 5, 2023 @ 0830 Hours July 5, 2023 @ 1330 Hours August 2, 2023 @ 0830 Hours August 2, 2023 @ 1330 Hours As with all training, we will start on time. At the start time, we will escort anyone in the lobby into the secure portion of the building. Anyone arriving after that time will not have access to the building and will have to reschedule. Please go the FOP website to sign up for one of the dates FLORIDA QUALIFICATION COURSE Course of Fire 1-yard line Two rounds from the hip in four seconds - repeated twice for a total of four rounds. 3-yard line Two rounds from the low ready position in one second - repeated three times for a total of six rounds. 7-yard line Two rounds from the holster in four seconds for a total of two rounds Two rounds from the low ready position in four seconds - repeated twice for a total of four rounds. Three rounds from the holster in five seconds - repeated twice for a total of six rounds. Twelve rounds from the holster in forty five seconds with a mandatory reload somewhere between the first and last round - total of 12 rounds. 15-yard line Six rounds from the holster in thirty seconds - for a total of six rounds. Brevard County Sheriff's Office Firearms Qualifications Course Certificate for Retired Officers Pursuant to the "Federal Law Enforcement Officer's Safety Act of 2004", (HR 218) the Brevard County Sheriff's Office offers a firearms qualifications course and certificate for qualified retired officers who reside in Brevard County. The retired officer understands and assumes the risks associated with discharging a firearm and agrees to hold the Brevard County Sheriff's Office harmless for any injuries that may occur on the firing range. 2022 Class Schedule LOCATION: 2955 Pluckebaum Rd. Cocoa, Fl No Pre-Registration Required CHARLOTTE COUNTY LEOSA DATESCharlotte County has discontinued all further LEOSA Qualification's Collier County The Gun range is open the first and third Saturday of each month unless it falls on a holiday. If you need information call (239) 252-0505 8:00 a.m. - Noon Bill HR-218 qualifications done on those range days WHERE: 4441 70th Ave. NE, Naples, FL 34120 Directions: Take 40th Street NE from Immokalee Road (about one mile east of Everglades Boulevard). Make a left on 70th Avenue N.E. and it is on the left towards the end of the road. Targets will be provided by the CCSO Bring ammo, eye and ear protection Use only pistols and handguns Flagler County The qualification is designed to satisfy the requirements of the Law Enforcement Officer's Safety Act or 2004 (LEOSA), also known as HR 218, and is the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) 40 round course. Certification is good for one year from the date of issuance. This course will be held at the Flagler Gun and Archery Club, 1290 East County Road 90, Bunnell, FL 32110.. Retired law enforcement officers residing in Flagler County will be given priority enrollment. Retired law enforcement officers residing outside of Flagler County may also qualify based on the availability of instructors and payment of applicable fees to cover the cost of instructors. There is no cost for participation, donations will be accepted to the Sheriff's Five Star charitable program. Retired officers must bring the following to the range: A retired law enforcement identification card. Candidate must have retired in good standing. A Florida Drivers License or other form of photo identification. A serviceable weapon and functioning holster to properly secure your weapon during the courses of fire. A minimum of 50 rounds of ammunition. Eye & Ear protection This will be an open range qualification and there will be no reservations or preferences given. The first qualification will begin at 1 p.m. The following two forms are required to be completed and may be obtained here, HR 218 Affidavit of Retirement and here HR 218 Hold Harmless Agreement or may from an instructor on the day of the qualification. Sheriff Peyton C. Grinnell would like to invite all retired Law Enforcement Officers to a Weapons Qualification. Sheriff Grinnell's intention of the day is to meet the requirements of LEOSA for all retired officers/deputies who reside locally. Attendees who live outside of Lake County will have a $35.00 facility usage fee. This fee can be paid with either cash, check, or money order made payable to Lake Technical College. Where: Lake Tech Institute of Public Safety Range, 13000 Frankies Road Tavares, FL 32778. When: None at this time. Time: 8:00 am - 1:00 pm Qualifications will begin at 8:00am and will run until all participants have completed the course. Please ensure you are at the range and ready to begin at 8:00am. The last line will be at 12:30pm. Adults are welcome, but please, no children due to the nature of the training. For those who are going to be qualifying please dress accordingly; long pants and closed toe shoes. No shorts or flip flops. Please bring appropriate eye and ear protection. For safety purposes please ensure that your weapon is unloaded and encased prior to your arrival at the range. Directions: From the North; take SR 19 South from US 441 in Tavares. Once you are to the intersection of SR 19 and CR 561, veer left onto CR 561. Go approximately two miles until you see the Lake County Animal Services building. Frankies Road is your very next right hand turn. From the South; take CR 561 North from US 27 to Frankies Road and turn left. If you are taking SR 19 go north to CR 448A and turn right. Once you are at the intersection of CR 561, turn right and follow the above directions. Agenda: 8:00 - HR 218 Overview 8:45 - Range Safety, Weapons Inspection and Qualification by Range Staff Requirements: - Please review the attached PDF from Florida Department of Law - Enforcement to ensure your eligibility under HR 218 - Retired Law Enforcement Identification card from your former agency - Florida Driver's License. - One weapon you intend on carrying with total of three (3) extra magazines/speed loaders and a holster. - Minimum of 100 rounds - Eye and ear protection RSVP: Monica Owens by e-mail at monica.owens@lcso.org or phone at (352) 742-6463 ext. 1913 She will need the following information: 1. Name as it appears on your retired LEO identification card 2. Phone number and e-mail address (if you have one) 3. County in which you currently reside LEE COUNTY LEOSA DATESWe hold HR 218 qualifications on the last Friday of every month at the Lee County Gun range which is located at 6570 Felix Romano Way, Ft. Myers, Fla 33905. You may call 239-690-3900 to set up your appointment. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to call. Seminole County LEOSA DateThe Sheriff has approved the qualification of retired law enforcement officers on the Seminole Community College Range by our instructors. The qualification will be the FDLE 40 round course as prescribed by FDLE in order to satisfy the Law Enforcement Officer's Safety Act of 2004 (LEOSA), otherwise known as HR 218.The dates for the retired officers qualifications for 2022 will be as follows: Saturday, August 12, 2023 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 18, 2023 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Seminole Community College Range 2450 Gun Range Rd. Geneva Fl. Nothing on this site may be copied or otherwise used or redistributed in any way without my expressed written permission. For More Information See U.S. Government Copyright Laws,Title 17.  |