HR 492 IH
106th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 492
To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide a national standard
in accordance with which nonresidents of a State may carry certain concealed
firearms in the State, and to exempt qualified current and former law
enforcement officers from State laws prohibiting the carrying of concealed
handguns.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 2, 1999
Mr. STEARNS (for himself, Mr. SMITH of Washington, Mr. HALL of Texas, Mr.
BACHUS, Mr. HOLDEN, Mr. NETHERCUTT, Mr. YOUNG of Alaska, Mrs. EMERSON, Mr.
HOSTETTLER, Mr. GREEN of Texas, Mr. CRAMER, Mr. COMBEST, Mr. RAHALL, and Mr.
BARCIA) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
the Judiciary
A BILL
To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide a national standard
in accordance with which nonresidents of a State may carry certain concealed
firearms in the State, and to exempt qualified current and former law
enforcement officers from State laws prohibiting the carrying of concealed
handguns.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. NATIONAL STANDARD FOR THE CARRYING OF CERTAIN CONCEALED FIREARMS
BY NONRESIDENTS.
(a) IN GENERAL- Chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by
inserting after section 926A the following:
`Sec. 926B. National standard for the carrying of certain concealed firearms
by nonresidents
`(a) Notwithstanding any provision of the law of any State or political
subdivision thereof, a person who is not prohibited by Federal law from
possessing, transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm and is carrying a
valid license or permit which is issued by a State and which permits the
person to carry a concealed firearm (other than a machinegun or destructive
device) may carry in another State a concealed firearm (other than a
machinegun or destructive device) that has been shipped or transported in
interstate or foreign commerce, subject to subsection (b).
`(b)(1) If such other State issues licenses or permits to carry concealed
firearms, the person may carry a concealed firearm in the State under the same
restrictions which apply to the carrying of a concealed firearm by a person to
whom the State has issued such a license or permit.
`(2) If such other State does not issue licenses or permits to carry
concealed firearms, the person may not, in the State, carry a concealed
firearm in a police station, in a public detention facility, in a courthouse,
in a public polling place, at a meeting of a State, county, or municipal
governing body, in a school, at a professional or school athletic event not
related to firearms, in a portion of an establishment licensed by the State to
dispense alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises, or inside the
sterile or passenger area of an airport, except to the extent expressly
permitted by State law.'.
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT- The table of sections for such chapter is amended
by inserting after the item relating to section 926A the following:
`926B. National standard for the carrying of certain concealed firearms
by nonresidents.'.
SEC. 2. EXEMPTION OF QUALIFIED CURRENT AND FORMER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
FROM STATE LAWS PROHIBITING THE CARRYING OF CONCEALED HANDGUNS.
(a) IN GENERAL- Chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by
inserting after section 926B, as added by section 1(a) of this Act, the
following:
`Sec. 926C. Carrying of concealed handguns by qualified current and former
law enforcement officers
`(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of the law of any State or any
political subdivision thereof, an individual who is a qualified law
enforcement officer or a qualified former law enforcement officer and who is
carrying appropriate written identification of such status may carry a
concealed handgun.
`(b) As used in this section:
`(1) The term `qualified law enforcement officer' means an officer,
agent, or employee of a public agency who--
`(A) is a law enforcement officer;
`(B) is authorized by the agency to carry a firearm in the course of
duty;
`(C) is not the subject of any disciplinary action by the agency;
and
`(D) meets such requirements as have been established by the agency
with respect to firearms.
`(2) The term `qualified former law enforcement officer' means an
individual who--
`(A) retired from service with a public agency as a law enforcement
officer, other than for reasons of mental disability;
`(B) immediately before such retirement, was a qualified law
enforcement officer;
`(C) has a nonforfeitable right to benefits under the retirement plan
of the agency;
`(D) meets such requirements as have been established by the State in
which the individual resides with respect to training in the use of
firearms; and
`(E) is not prohibited by Federal law from receiving a
firearm.
`(3) The term `law enforcement officer' means an individual authorized
by law to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, investigation,
or prosecution of any violation of law, and includes corrections, probation,
parole, and judicial officers.
`(4) The term `appropriate written identification' means, with respect
to an individual, a document which--
`(A) was issued to the individual by the public agency with which the
individual serves or served as a law enforcement officer; and
`(B) identifies the holder of the document as a current or former
officer, agent, or employee of the agency.'.
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT- The table of sections for such chapter is amended
by inserting after the item added by section 1(b) of this Act the
following:
`926C. Carrying of concealed handguns by qualified current and former
law enforcement officers.'.
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendments made by this section shall take effect
180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
END