Congress·In Committee·S. 679

Congress aims to expand where active and retired officers can carry concealed guns, including in school zones

LEOSA Reform Act

about 1 year ago·View on Congress.gov

⏸

Stalled

No legislative action in over 90 days.

Legislative Progress

Senate

House

President

Law

Key Points

Expands where qualified active and retired law enforcement officers can carry concealed firearms, even when other federal rules would block it.
Adds an explicit exception to the federal school zone gun law for people who qualify under the national law enforcement carry rules.
Narrows when state and local limits can override these carry rights, but still allows limits on certain transportation sites (like land/rail/water carriers) and some publicly open properties.
Broadens what “firearm” covers under these carry rules by clearly including magazines.
Makes it easier for retired officers to qualify and prove training by letting them use state standards, another in-state agency’s standards, or a certified in-state firearms instructor, with an option to use a longer re-qualification window (up to 36 months if the state allows).

Gun PolicyCriminal JusticeNational Security

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

How this policy affects specific groups of people

Mixed Impacts(1)

Federal Employee

Neutral

Positive Impacts(2)

Gun Owner

Helps

Retiree

Helps

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions

Feb 20, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Feb 20, 2025

Introduced in Senate

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

After the bill becomes law

Covered active and retired law enforcement officers gain clearer legal protection to carry in federal school zones under the federal exception.

Officers traveling through or stopping near K–12 schools would have less risk of being charged under the federal school-zone rule just for carrying while covered by LEOSA.

After the bill becomes law

LEOSA coverage explicitly applies even when other federal rules (including certain National Park System rules) would otherwise restrict carrying.

Officers visiting or traveling through national parks and other federally regulated areas would have fewer confusing rule conflicts and less chance of accidental violations.

After the bill becomes law; state option would take effect when a state adopts it

Retired officer firearms qualification options expand (former agency, state, in-state agency, or certified instructor), and states may allow up to a 36-month qualification window.

More retired officers could stay eligible without long trips or narrow scheduling; states that choose the longer window would reduce how often some retirees must re-qualify.

Within months after the bill becomes law

Federal facilities labeled Security Level I–II that are open to the public update entry policies for qualified active/retired officers carrying firearms and ammunition.

Visitors may see updated signage or screening instructions; covered officers may have clearer rules on where they can enter while armed.