Right to Carry Update H.R. 218/S. 253
PRESIDENT BUSH SIGNS RIGHT TO CARRY INTO LAW
EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY!
July 22, 2004

President George W. Bush signed H.R. 218, the "Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act," into law this morning at the White House. The bill became effective immediately upon the President's signature. Now, qualified active and retired law enforcement officers are allowed to carry their firearm while off-duty for the protection of themselves, their families and our nation's communities.

This morning Rep. Cunningham, author and tireless supporter of H.R. 218 for more than fourteen years, witnessed President Bush sign the bill into law. Speaking on the passage of this legislation, Representative Randy "Duke" Cunningham passionately stated, "And I would say that if one takes a look also at who supports these positions, they wrote this, the law enforcement agencies helped over the years write this bill. It helps them. If one looks to Law Enforcement Alliance of America, LEAA, the National Association of Police Organizations, NAPO, the National Law Enforcement Council, all of them support this bill, Mr. Speaker."

The National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) sincerely thanks Rep. Cunningham for his unwavering dedication to the law enforcement community. His determination to ensure the bill's passage has brought additional safety and security to America's officers and communities.

Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-CO), sponsor of similar legislation in the Senate, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Orrin G. Hatch (R-UT) and the Committee's Ranking Member Patrick Leahy (D-VT) also played key roles in securing the President's signature this morning. Due to the Senators' unfailing commitment, the bill achieved overwhelming support and made its way to the President's desk. NAPO would like to thank the House and Senate staffs, with whom NAPO, and other law enforcement groups, worked tirelessly. Such efforts should not go unnoted.

NAPO Executive Director Bill Johnson once again offered his thanks to all of the law enforcement organizations who have worked so hard to make this happen, including the International Brotherhood of Police Officers (IBPO), the International Union of Police Associations (IUPA), the Southern States Police Benevolent Association (SSPBA), the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), the Law Enforcement Alliance of America (LEAA), the National Law Enforcement Council and the National Troopers Coalition (NTC).

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