U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI) on May 15 sponsored bipartisan legislation that would allow qualified current or former federal law enforcement officers to purchase their service weapons.
“This legislation is a commonsense solution that allows the federal law enforcement officers to purchase and keep the firearm they have been training with and maintaining for years,” Rep. Moolenaar said last week.
Rep. Moolenaar introduced the Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Security Act of 2019, H.R. 2765, with original cosponsors U.S. Reps. Will Hurd (R-TX) and Henry Cuellar (D-TX).
If enacted, H.R. 2765 would permit officers in good standing or who were honorably separated from an agency the option to buy their service pistol or revolver if they have retired or plan to retire from the federal government, according to information provided by the lawmaker’s office.
“This aspect of their uniform is particularly personal,” explained Alberto Trevino, legislative chair of the National Border Patrol Council. “The Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Security Act of 2019 would give officers a deeper connection to the communities they serve, even after they retire.”
H.R. 2765 also would still require federal law officers to go through the same background checks and meet the same legal requirements as any American citizen who wanted to buy a firearm, the congressman said.
“I am proud to have the support of my Democratic colleague Henry Cuellar from Texas, as well as the support of the National Border Patrol Council, which represents the men and women who work hard to keep our country safe,” said Rep. Moolenaar.
The proposal has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Judiciary Committee.