Military Police Universal Conceal Carry ID – HR 218 An Update ~ Obfuscation

By Major Van Harl USAF Ret

Military Police
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AmmoLand Gun News

Wisconsin –-(Ammoland.com)-  Colonel Smith, Sergeant Major Jones do you have your conceal carry permit that Federal law allows you to obtain as a retired military police man?

You don’t, I do not understand, Federal law known as the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) and commonly referred to as HR 218 was enacted in 2004.

This act allows police officers in any state or jurisdiction to carry concealed their personal firearm in any other state or jurisdiction.

I know, the military uses the word apprehend, and the civilian law enforcement community uses the word arrest. This little play on words is what the Department of Defense/DoD had used to deny military police of all branches of the service the ability to carry a personal concealed weapon.

But the Federal law was amended in 2013 to specifically cover any obfuscating that the DoD was doing to prevent you, the active duty or retired military police person from legally carrying a concealed weapon off duty.

There is something both military members and the civilian world needs to understand: the DoD and its branches do not really, deep down in their hearts trust the average Airman, Sailor, Soldier or Marine.

When it comes to the carrying of a firearm that does not belong to the DoD and cannot be controlled with their many regulations and threats of punishment, senior civilian and active duty leadership just seem to fail to remember there is a 2nd amendment.

As soon as the 2013 changes to HR 218 were enacted, that made it crystal clear to the DoD is was time to quit stalling and start issuing the by-Federal-law requirement for law enforcement credentials / IDs to active duty military police of all branches and former military police with ten years of service, they (the DoD) started obfuscating yet again.

The State of Wisconsin figured out the very same month it was enacted in 2013 that it was clear, a former Federal law enforcement member of the military police type, was by-law entitled to credentials that addressed this law enforcement status. Wisconsin then made available per Federal direction the type and design of a LEOSA / HR 218 qualification certification (conceal carry permit) and started issuing them to former Federal law enforcement.

I recently received my renewal Wisconsin Certification Card.

I am going into my second year of having this former Federal law enforcement HR 218 ID card, but my big Air Force cannot seem to make their conceal carry ID program work. I have seen a number of drafts and even an alleged signed Air Force Instruction/ AFI on how the Security Forces (read AF cops) who have been tasked to oversee the implementation of HR 218 within the Air Force, are trying “ever so hard” to comply with Federal Law.

The last I heard was the Air Force is now looking for a contractor to take on the project of creating an AF acceptable HR 218 ID card that will meet the Federal requirements and still allow the Air Force to control their distrusted “cops”. In the drafts that I have seen the Air Force has supplanted Federal law and added a bunch of controlling factors. Some of the limitations and controls that my Air Force has put (wrongfully I would suggest) on their policemen in their efforts to obtain an AF / HR 218 conceal carry ID would imply that we have a large group of AF “cops” who are not qualified to function as a police man or woman on active duty.

If a person has been vetted to join a branch of the military, selected to be a police / law enforcement member, trained at a military police academy, qualified on the range in numerous firearms (both handgun and long gun) and posted out to do armed police work on a military reservation, just what is the problem with the DoD following Federal law when it comes to HR 218?

I will tell you what the problem is, it is the trust issue on the part of senior leadership.

Of course their real concern is with loss of some very tight (dare I say strangle hold) controls on military members in their off duty pursuits. The DoD could have taken the standard ID cards that are issued to military members and with a very few modifications added the required verbiage about law enforcement and HR 218 and been issuing these credentials to its military police members over a year ago.

But no, obfuscation continues to get in the way. My research only pertains to the Air Force and I do not know what the other branches of service are doing. I have read where it was suggested they are waiting to follow the AF lead.

If this is the case, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines I suggest you will have an even longer wait than AF “cops”. The DoD does not trump Federal law. What is so hard about this?

Might I suggest it is just the fear of the legally armed solider/citizen by the ruling class? In all honesty why shouldn’t any serving military member, active or reserve be entitled to carry concealed at any time—they are already vetted as defenders of our Nation? And then there is the issue of constitutional carry.

Major Van Harl USAF Ret./[email protected]

About Major Van Harl USAF Ret:

Major Van E. Harl USAF Ret., a career Police Officer in the U.S. Air Force was born in Burlington, Iowa, USA, in 1955. He was the Deputy Chief of police at two Air Force Bases and the Commander of Law Enforcement Operations at another. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army Infantry School.  A retired Colorado Ranger and currently is an Auxiliary Police Officer with the Cudahy PD in Milwaukee County, WI.  His efforts now are directed at church campus safely and security training.  He believes “evil hates organization.”  [email protected]

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william shaw

I am a retired DOD Capt., series GS0083, retired for 9, I have been trying all those years to get a Ret DOD Police ID Card, where and how do I do this. all I was issued was form 5055-12 with an expiration date of 5 years. Can you assist me with this ?

V/R
W M Shaw

Mark A. Weinberger

Captain, If you have at least ten years continuous and uninterrupted honorable GS-0083 service you are eligible for the card. Go to the LEOSA DCS web-site to apply on line…be prepared, the paperwork is extensive, which includes a FBI background investigation, finger prints…and lots of money…

Mason (LEOSA)

Update To All Defenders:

DCS has updated their website!

Please click on the following link for more information:

https://leosaarmy.com

Regards, MASON, OUT!

Mark A. Weinberger

After years of letters & phone calls to my elected officials it finally happened…On 17 July 2018 DCS (sub contracted by the Department of Defense) issued my LEOSA I.D. Card. What angers me is the very fact that the Navy (which I unfortunately worked for) could have simply issued the card for free…versus the $257.88 I eventually spent for the card. Being a former U.S. Marine I’m embarrassed that I carry this card which has boldly written on the top “Department of the Navy”…I now wish I had worked as a DoD Police Officer on a Marine Base. The Navy… Read more »

Clint Wink

I was infantry 3 years then military police for 5 years I am now a private investigator with a Statewide firearms license since 2010 do I qualify for this LEOSA

Mason (LEOSA)

Check here for more information >>
https://leosaonline.com

Regards, Mason

Rogers Bean

I am a ret Army MP Officer, can you give me the address and phone number of the office issuing Fed carry.

Thanks

George

The AF and Army contractor is charging upwards of $300.00 dollars to process the LEOSA credential. Hogwash! Each DOD law enforcement agency should just issue the freaking things to their cops. As an alternative, consider obtaining either a Utah or Florida CCW permit for $70.00, good in 32 states for 7 years. If national reciprocity becomes law, they will be good in all sates. And no annual qualification required.

Mark Weinberger

We retired former DoD Police Officers continue to get the Navy “two srep”….e-mail messages from Washington Navy Officials stating we’ll have the aforementioned I.D. soon…then follow-up messages citing more reasons why it has yet to be issued!….All of this B.S. could have been easily remedied with the issuance of the ( already in existence) CAC card and simply print “Retired LEO”…But NOOOOO…to drag out the (unwanted) issuance….First we were told: a SORN need be published, then a wait for “public comment” (whatever the hell the “public” has to do with issuing a federally mandated I.D. card I’ll never know…Then we… Read more »

Michael

NEGATIVE!

Mark, the U.S. Army (LEOSA Program) is now very active, my credentials were printed and will be mailed out this week.

All instructions are clearly outlined via the link I provided above.

Here is an example of the Army cred:
comment image

Regards,
Michael

Mark A. Weinberger

Sorry Michael…Glad to see the U.S. Army is abiding by the LEOSA laws…The information I cited was sent to me after my many complaints (three years worth) to the Navy for “foot dragging”….two Washington D.C civilian officials working on the LEOSA I.D. cards for the Navy told me (this week) the Army was waiting for the Navy’s SORN to be completed….I wouldn’t be surprised…knowing the Navy’s disdain for their DoD GS-0083 Police Officers…that the information supplied to me is inaccurate. These same officials stated that the Navy’s issuance of the LEOSA I.D. Cards may happen (and I emphasize “MAY”) NLT… Read more »

william shaw

I retired 2009 as a DOD GS083/9 police captain looking for a retired DOD Police ID and this I hope you Folks can help. You are correct DOD will as usual be the last to get anything, that is so well deserved. I made it 22 years as a DOD COP very proud of my service plus 17 years in the Military. I hope You can send me the info , so I can get on track for the DOD Police ID card.

VR/, William Shaw

Michael Mason

Hi William,

If you were an MP in the Army, will combined service with the DoD. You “may” qualify for your LEOSA credentials from the ARMY (If that’s the branch that you served with) at: https://www.leosaarmy.com/leosa

Mark Weinberger

William, Michael is correct, the U.S. Army along with the Air Force have been issuing the LEOSA Credentials for some time now…It’s only the Navy which has been dragging their feet. I’m a retired DoD 0083/10 former deputy chief of police (28+ years service) who unfortunately worked on naval bases where they despise any sort of civilian authority…so it’s no surprise that we still haven’t seen an I.D, card even after H.R. 218 evolved into three Public laws…which include Department of Defense 0083 Police Officers. My former Chief of Police, who’s very active within the FOP attended the National FOP… Read more »

Michael

To All Defenders: with more than 10-years of LE. Yes, you now qualify under LEOSA (HR-218)…
For more information please go to: https://leosaonline.com and either choose: “SERVICE BRANCH”,
and click onto U.S. Army U.S. Air Force

Regards,
Michael

Mark A. Weinberger

Correct Micheal, the U.S. Air Force is issuing the creds to their LE people, the U.S. Army (oddly enough) is awaiting the U.S. Navy’s SORN to be published and placed into the Federal Registry…then once OMB gives in a their number it will finally come to fruition…whenever all that occurs is any ones guess. Congratulations to the U.S. Air Force who are obviously on the ball.

Mark A. Weinberger

The U.S. Navy, after the “National Defense Authorization Act” was signed into Public Law 112-239 on 02 January 2013, finally came out with DoD Instruction 5525.12 on 13 February 2014…We retired DoD GS-0083 Police Officers, some retired with over 30 years service, thought we had finally won the “battle”…Well in the words of Gomer Pyle “surprise, surpise”…the anti-gun, anti Civilian DoD Cop, Navy regime has virtually ignored 5525.12….and has come up with an endless stream of B.S. excuses why they have yet to issue the aforementioned LEOSA I.D. card. My colleagues and I have repeated contacted Congressional representatives over the… Read more »

Kaido Ojamaa

I have a similar background to the Major, I was a Military Police Officer in the US Army and Estonian Defense Forces Army Military Police as well as a Civilian Police Officer. The Major is 100% Correct and Right on. He tells it like it is, the Senior Military and Civilian Leadership of the DoD do not trust the Rank and File Military Personnel with Privately Owned Firearms let alone Government Owned Weapons. All of this is Contradictory to the Very Constitution that the Military Establishment is Sworn to Defend and Uphold. It is also in violation of the Spream… Read more »

Kaido Ojamaa

I totally agree with what the major wrote. I also confirm his comments 100% Truthful. His comments about the High Military and Civilian Leadership, not Trusting, the Avarage,Airman, Sailor,Soldier, Marine Are 100% Factual. I served 22 years in the United States Army Military Police. I remember when I got started I mentioned this absurdity of not Trusting Troops with Weapons, when I was deployed to combat type zone environment at a TAC where we had to protect the senior staff,We were sent to post unArmed. The Chaplan came by and I briefed him on the situation, with in a half… Read more »

Larry Telford

I’m from Texas….a bottom of the barrel state, I live in Houston and I asked several Police Officers about H.R. 218, they were totally cluless, most of the Police here want even talk to you. I’m a retired Federal Officer….I want to know whats going on with these Police that shoot people and they all have the same excuse”I was in fear for my life(hell wear a dress), what really blow my mind is these Guys are rudd as hell and if you can explain to me how you can patrol with the windows of your cruiser UP, so if… Read more »

james simmons

What about us Infantry veterans ?.. I’ve qualified. 45.. M-16 M-60..M-2 .50 cal.. and Expert Grenader ..as well 81mm mortar..which is a little far fetch I know but it’s true..I’m as qualified as any Police officer..and have knowledge of tactics and techniques as well..not implying anything. .but there are civilian police that had never been armed before becoming LEO’s..

wm louie

Some extinct Dept of Defense police agencies allowed the local county sheriff to deputize the officers but the chief of security would come up with the Bull Pie excuse of the violating the Posse Comtious Act. Yes, it’s true that most military command staff falls way below the sewer pit in managing civilian police/security officers.

Especially true if they never served as a large metro police agency like NYPD, LAPD, PHILADELPHIA, Newark or Balitmore/SEPTA POLICE.

wm louie

I think that as a former DoD police officer many DoD componext agencies hate people who are classified as 085,083, 007, . It’s a sbsolute power grab mentality. Now there are other series who should be allowed firearms authority ss far as their duties of active service goes to transitioned into civilian life like tbe Military Postal Inspectors, Military Intelligence , smallarms repairmen, secrurity couriers..

TSgt M

TSgt B, you can find the text in Section 2 (c) of S.1132 — 111th Congress (2009-2010), which on 10/12/2010 Became Public Law No: 111-272. You can read the entire text at https://beta.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/1132/text

RetUSA/DAV

I’m running into brick wall with Army. Even been told the bill don’t exist. If originator of this article can let us know more, would be highly appreciated. I’ve got Florida CWP, but wouldn’t mind having the other – I earned it.

CAPTAINJHD

In Calif, I retired at 30 years in, as a unit CO. I was responsible for everything, including personnel and the arms locker. One day I was responsible for everything, the next, I could not be trusted with anything but guns on CAs good boy list. I was not LE, but personally, it felt like a slap in the face.

SaddletramP51D

Gunnychuck, I agree with you completely. As a retired LEO I am a rarity in that particular part of the world. Even when I was active, it was my opinion that, when off duty, a LEO was not any different or had any more rights or privileges than any John Doe on the street. The great misfortune in this country is that there are too many individuals who are elitist.

GunnyChuck

My question is why are Police considered to be a better class of person than the rest of us? Why should we have laws that only allow Police special privileges that the rest of us are denied? Constitutional carry should be the law of the land, not just a benefit for a precious few. Unfortuneatly I live in California where a LE officer can buy a Desert Eagle .50 (not that I want one) but the rest of us poor schlubs cannot. THAT is not a duty gun.

R.ISAACS

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW IS THE LAW OF THE LAND. SOME GOVERNORS ARE BLATENTLY IGNORING THE LAWS OUR GOVERNING FATHERS PLACED IN THE CONSTITION. YOUR FIGHT IS WITH YOUR LOCAL GOV’T LEADERS NOT THE POLICE WHO FOUGHT A LONG HARD FIGHT TO MAKE HR218 THE LAW OF THE LAND. I SUPPORT YOU BROTHER. THE MORE GOOD GUY ON THE STREET WITH LEGAL FIREARMS THE SOONER THE CARNAGE ON OUR STREETS WILL BE OVER. ORGANIZE YOUR PEOPLE AND PROVE TO THE GOV’T THAT A GOOD GUY WITH A GUN TRUMPS A BAD GUY WITH A GUN EVERY TIME. AS AN HONORABLY RETIRED PEACE… Read more »

R ISAACS

YOU WANT TO CARRY CONCEALED, ORGANIZE AND FIGHT FOR YOUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT. THAT’S WHAT LAW ENFORCEMENT DID AND I SEE NOW THE MILITARY IS FOLLOWING SUIT.

TSgt B

I agree with all that you say, Major, but I do have a few questions: Can you quote me the exact section(s) of law that authorize retired military personnel who were qualified as Air Force Security Police/Security Forces to qualify under this law? During my 2-decade-long Air Force career, I was CONTINUOUSLY QUALIFIED as an S.P. as an additional duty, and the multiple/secondary AFSC is annotated on my DD214. What is your opinion about that? And yes, I was weapons qualified on several different arms, to include the M-16, M-1 Garand, S&W M15, Beretta M9, 1911A1 .45ACP, and 12 gauge… Read more »

mikrat

Only Slaves need Permission from their Gov to exercise a right.

Stop asking permission
Stop being Nice and Law Abiding
Stop being sheep

Bigmac

I was an MP for ten years. I then went to work as an LEO for the Department of Justice. Later I switched to an LE agency within the Department of Treasury. I ended up retiring from CBP. All were LE positions. Some of us have no problem with the credentials. The problem is qualification. The CBP lets agents keep your original issue credentials when retiring. They just stamp retired on them. These credentials state right on them, among other things that the holder has the power to make arrests, enforce laws and be armed. However we can not find… Read more »

barry ross

You can join your local FOP they will qualify you each year to keep up your status under LEOSA look into this.