GUN RIGHTS MISFIRE: Opposition to Cop Safety Act Comes From Unlikely Source
No doubt the United States has its share of people who believe the right to bear arms is all wrong. But when attorneys exercised a recent federal law to beat back a state case against police officers charged with illegal possession of firearms while off-duty, no one would imagine the position that a powerful gun rights association would take.
Larry Pratt is the Executive Director of the Gun Owners of America, and he’s available for interviews to throw an interesting bent on the debate. On behalf of the GOA, he has ironically been opposed to the federal law that allows cops to carry guns when not on the clock.
“Of course I’m not against the ideal of the law that was put in place to protect police officers who are often targets when off duty,” explains Pratt. “The point is that the same law should apply to all Americans, not just cops. That’s why we did not support this law when it went through Congress a few years back. We believe it unfairly establishes a special class of persons.”
Pratt admits it was “outrageous” for the state (of North Dakota) to bring the charges against the officers who were clearly in a situation of self-defense when they pulled their weapons. But, in his view, the federal law is a gross example of “special interest legislation,” indicative of the threat that inspired the Second Amendment in the first place.
“The right to bear arms is in place so individuals can protect themselves against the tyranny of government,” says Pratt. “A law like this that only extends to the public officials who can theoretically impose that tyranny is simply unacceptable.”
ABOUT LARRY PRATT…
Larry Pratt has been Executive Director of Gun Owners of America for 30 years. GOA is a national membership organization of 300,000 Americans dedicated to promoting their second amendment freedom to keep and bear arms. [snip] (continue at Special Guests)THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE MAY BE USEFUL
Court Rules Cops Can Carry Guns—Nationwide!
By Jim Kouri
Saturday, November 22 2008 - (The following report was obtained by the National Association of Chiefs of Police Firearms Committee.)
A ruling on a case from South Dakota—where off-duty law enforcement officers were criminally charged for carrying guns despite the authority to do so under the federal ‘Law Enforcement Officer’s Safety Act of 2004’ (LEOSA)—has confirmed that all qualified off-duty and retired law enforcement are allowed, by federal law, to carry a concealed gun for personal self-defense irrespective of state law.
The federal law supersedes the crazy, confusing and often conflicted state and local laws that limit legitimate self-defense.
Law Enforcement Alliance of America's Executive Director, Jim Fotis said, “When LEAA co-authored the original draft of what became affectionately known as ‘National Cop Carry’ back in the early 1990’s, I knew it would save cops’ lives and give those who choose to resist violent criminals a fighting chance. In 2004 I shook President Bush’s hand after he signed our bill into law and rejoiced that our fight—for more than a decade—was finally over!”
The local prosecutor’s apparent effort to challenge the federal law, and send a message to all in law enforcement not to carry a gun for self-defense in South Dakota, was soundly rejected. Thankfully, after careful review, the gun charges against the officers were dismissed. “The Judge’s crystal clear and unambiguous legal opinion should be required reading for every prosecutor in the nation so that no other law enforcement professionals, active or retired, have to endure what those officers and agents have endured in South Dakota,” declared Carl Rowan, LEAA’s Vice President.
Robert Van Norman and Kenneth Orrock, Attorneys for the officers, said “We are pleased with the court’s decision, as it reaffirms the intent of the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act and in effect will protect law enforcement officers and our communities. The law enforcement community should find comfort that LEOSA has been properly applied in this case.”
The Law Enforcement Alliance of America, Inc., (LEAA) is the nation’s largest not for profit, non-partisan coalition of law enforcement professionals, crime victims and concerned citizens dedicated to making America safer.
Source: Law Enforcement Alliance of America
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