F.O.P. President Gilbert Gallegos expressed strong support for Vice President Al Gore's pledge to propose legislation which would increase the safety of off-duty law enforcement officers and their families. The measure will allow them to carry concealed weapons while off duty and in retirement. Speaking in Atlanta, Georgia, the Vice President announced his support for the measure along with other anti-crime initiatives.

"Police officers put their lives on the line every day, whether or not they are in uniform and whether or not they are on the job or off duty," Gore said. "Threats against our police don't stop when their shifts are over--and neither should their ability to meet those threats."

Gore's announcement directly follows a meeting held between the Vice President and F.O.P. National President Gilbert Gallegos and the leadership of the organization last Saturday in Kansas City, Missouri. The passage of national concealed carry legislation for qualified active and retired law enforcement officers is a top priority for the Fraternal Order of Police, and President Gallegos applauded the Vice President's support of this important officer safety legislation.

"As important as investing in the latest crime-fighting technology and the additional funding of community police officers is to reducing violent crime in this country, it is equally important that we provide those same officers with the ability to protect themselves and their loved ones wherever and whenever the criminal strikes," Gallegos said. "The F.O.P. remains committed to seeing national concealed carry legislation enacted into law, and we applaud the Vice President's efforts on this important issue."

Legislation similar to that proposed by the Vice President was introduced in the 106th Congress by Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-CA) and passed the House as an amendment to the juvenile justice legislation by a 372 - 53 vote last June.

The Fraternal Order of Police is the nation's largest law enforcement labor organization, with over 286,000 members.