Old Cops and H.R.218

[3S16]

So, yesterday I was sitting at my old Departments Range awaiting my opportunity to complete my annual H.R.218 qualification. I marveled at the "Young" Deputies stepping up to the firing line with a duty belt full of the latest state of the art equipment plus a body Cam on the front of their uniforms. I must admit to being a little envious.
I was the only "Retiree" there and I was truly a dinasour in comparison. Anyway, as I sat there, I wondered how many Old retirees were still H.R.218 qualifying annually and still carry daily?
My choice of weapons has changed over the years. I like smaller and lighter now. Currently, I carry a 9mm Springfield Armory Hellcat with a Hex Wasp red dot. I carry it in a Vedder light Tuck with the "Claw" AIWB holster and a spare mag. It's very comfortable and disappears under a tee shirt.
As my eyesight got older, shooting open sights became more challenging. The red dot makes a world of difference, and I shoot this combo very well.

I'll go first:
I'm 73. 32 years LEO. 18 years retired. I carry everyday.
What say you?

[CBR_rider]

I carry almost every time I leave the house; depends on what I’m doing as to what I’m carrying. Going to a somewhat sketchy place: 1911. Most days: SW Airweight (I really should carry the 1911 more; but the airweight is easy to conceal and doesn’t aggravate my back much like the 1911 can on a bad day). Trip into the back country: Glock 20

Most everyone I know retired keeps their quals up to date. But then again I didn’t really run in the same circle as the few lazy, worthless folks who I know are retired. Doubt most of them have kept their qualifications current.

[Mike-4]

60 years old
36 years LE, retired 6 months
Carry everyday, Sig P365 with RMRcc red dot or G43X MOS with Holosun red dot.

[ronbwolf]

70 this year, 30 years OTJ, 17 years retired, I carry everywhere I can, every day. Just renewed my HR 218, had to get livescanned too. They added that in 2020, but Covid shut down fingerprinting, but now it's back. Idk what the purpose is, I have a Texas CHL, and all LEO files are flagged by state and federal DOJ's. But, whatever.

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

[gumby]

66 years old, 30 years active, retired 16 years ago and carry a Taurus 856.

[oddjob]

I typically carry a Sig 238 or a Sig 365. I carry everyday. Plain iron sights (for now).

I do have retired friends who never used to carry a gun, but now they do. Times have changed with the felons being released and reduced charges/prosecutions.

Retired in 2009 after 31 years.

[Spaffo]

72 years old. 37 years (30 active, 7 level 1 reserve. Glock 27 every day.

[L-2]

Me: 68 years old, retired since 2014, but stayed on as a Reserve until 2017.

I carry all the time. I just renewed my LEOSA permit this week and will do so again next year. Right now, my own department I retired from doesn't do a LEOSA permit; only the 5 year retired California LEO permit. My old department explained to us California law doesn't require issuing a LEOSA permit and a monthly retiree shoot would take too much time (and, hence, money).

I now live in Nevada where a LEOSA permit is codified within Nevada law for any county to issue a LEOSA permit if the resident of that county qualifies for one. I also have a regular Nevada permit, too, so I'm always covered in CA & NV should my LEOSA permit expire. The permit is dated exactly one year from the date of qualification regardless as to when you actually get the hard-copy card made and then received.

Although I could carry any handgun with my three permits, I'm usually carrying a full-size .45ACP 1911 or a Glock 19, but do have several other Glocks which I own. My minimum-sized guns are a couple of S&W J-Frames and a Glock 43, but generally haven't felt the need to go minimum. These smaller guns were used as backup gun choices when I was working.

[SDDAVE56]

65 years old.
28 years active duty.
13 years retired from the PD.
11 years at my current job.
218 expires June 15. Will have to qual prior to.

Primary carry is a 1911, or when traveling light, S&W 340PD. I just picked up a S&W 9 Shield. Have a holster on the way. Will shoot it for the first time Monday.

Size and weight of my CCW gun doesn't bother me. Its the clothing I wear that determines which gun I carry.

[esy]

It gives me hope to see many of you with well over 5 years of retirement (as well as many of the annuitants in my agency). I can only hope to have the proper outlets, hobbies, interests, and health to live a long and prosperous life after retirement.

[3S16]

Live long and beat your respective retirement entities out of as much money as possible.
Kudos to those of us who remain armed.

[Enzo rules]

Guys with 10 plus years of retirement, great job.

Me, 64 years old. 30 years active, retired 6 years ago. I stay active on HR218 and qualify annually. I carry every day, Glock 43, and most days with a back up (old habits).

[Grumpyoldretiredcop]

Yes and yes.

[Sailormilan2]

72 years old, retired for 17 years. Active for 26 years, but grew up in the Department(2nd generation Deputy). I carry with me daily, and qualify yearly. Our Department actually has a huge annual qualification/BBQ for the retirees at the Department range every year. Unfortunately, I gave my preferred EDC gun to my daughter 2 years ago when the Covid and riots started. So, now I'm carrying a Officer sized 1911.

[Preceptor]

Such a great thread! Kudos OP, and respect and admiration to all who got out healthy and happy! Best wishes and protection to those working active duty to get to retirement!

I’m 56 years old. Spent 33 years on the job. Retired 4 years ago and still trying to figure out what to do when I grow up. Carry anytime I leave the house- a Sig P365 with a Foxtrot pressure switch flashlight.

I do part time coaching to guide new people into our profession. I’ve found that the great majority of applicants truly know very little about the job, and very little about how to prepare themselves for oral boards and the background process. I also do part time VIP escort and risk assessment. For VIP work I’ll usually make a P365XL the primary, backed by a P365.

[1911su16b870]

Thank you to all the active and retired LE who carry every day.

So many of the folks I've worked with who retire, just don't carry per 18USC 926C

1. Retire and get an ID
2. Qualify Annually
3. Carry every day to protect you and loved ones.

[3S16]

RIP to the retired LEO who engaged the Buffalo mass shooter. Unfortunately, the perp was wearing body armor. Truly a Hero!

[Hateca]

Medically retired in 2008, Carry ever time I leave my house. Hell sometimes even when I mow my lawn. A well worn Glock 27 and sometimes 43X.

[Tyke8319]

Now you guys are making me feel "old". I'll be 80 in Nov. 30 years with a Bay Area S.O. My "partner of choice is a S&W, Shield 9. Living in rural Nor. Cal. I carry depending on where I'm going and what the potential threats might be.
Using tracers would be a definite advantage with aging eyes!!!

[rfmjchp]

73 years old
38 yrs service - Railroad Police, city PD, State Police & Highway Patrol, State Fair PD.
16 yrs retired
Have always carried

As far as HR-218, always try to do the once a year, but things like covid, lack of range, dept trainers availability, etc, so picked up three different states non-resident ccw to cover the times with no HR-218.

[Jess B. Guy]

OK - I'll jump in. 76 in September. Retired in 1998 after 28 years with ATF. Then 15 years being an attorney and teaching. Still consulting.

Shield (first model), Glock 26 or 19 depending on my mood. Almost everyday carry.

My friend just turned 81! Also retired fed. Carries a SW Airweight - often.

We both still shoot pretty well.

[JCHavasu]

I'm 55 and retired in 2018 after 29 years. I carry all the time with very few exceptions. I'm generally either carrying a G43x with Shield Arms 15 round mags, or a G19x with an aimpoint. This reminds me I need to qualify as well!

[SVT-40]

Mid 60's. Did 29 years in a So Cal PD. Retired 16 years. Qualify every year, and carry most every time I leave the house.

SIG 365XL.

[jonron]

87 years old, retired for 33 years from So Cal SD. Carry S&W Mod. 39-2 whenever I leave the house. Am due to qualify for HR 218. May not this year. Maintain Dept's Retired Quals

[TrailerparkTrash]

Retiring soon and will continue to carry 24/7 and to the gravesite. I’ll be returning to Cali every year to visit a friend or two and to conduct an HR218 annual qual. An overnight or two plane ticket is totally worth it to me.

Plus, I need to continue bringing my concealed 417 to hawaii legally! …and everywhere else in the USA.

[mej16489]

Originally Posted by TrailerparkTrash

Retiring soon and will continue to carry 24/7 and to the gravesite. I’ll be returning to Cali every year to visit a friend or two and to conduct an HR218 annual qual. An overnight or two plane ticket is totally worth it to me.

Plus, I need to continue bringing my concealed 417 to hawaii legally! …and everywhere else in the USA.

You know that you can qualify locally out of state right?

[TrailerparkTrash]

Originally Posted by mej16489

You know that you can qualify locally out of state right?

You know that’s not everywhere, right?

[mej16489]

Originally Posted by TrailerparkTrash

You know that’s not everywhere, right?

I can't imagine a place in free America where that isn't possible.

[dogrunner]

81...retired since '96 w/33 years.......carry both state license and 218..........somethin's in my pocket every time I leave home. Vision became a mild issue till I had cataract surgery...........I now read less glasses, still hunt and do a plus thousand mi. road trip for that purpose every fall (by myself).

Biggest bitch I have is that most of my old friends are gone, appreciate 'em while you still can!

[Gordon]

They really need to bring all you old coppers back to show the politicians how its done

[bigger hammer]

Just turned 76. 30 Years OJT. Retired in 2004. Carry every time I walk out the door, including into the back yard. Teach defensive firearms for a local shooting school. Train dogs for LE and SAR.

Qualify every year for LEOSA.

Just started carrying a Nighthawk, Firehawk, widebody in a 9mm in a Tier 1 Axis slim.

[Gordon]

Ive always wondered if a active policeman would even harass a retired policeman for not having the proper paperwork to carry. Seems like when my dad was a policeman that the relationships they wouldn't even have the nerve to ask them for there paperwork. But I'm just a plumber not a policeman

[stockjock]

Former SDPD and SD Community College PD here, although I was not a LEO long enough to retire. I have been with one of the big Wall Street firms for over 30 years though.

Can't do H.R. 218, but I just renewed my 2 year CCW through SD Sheriff's Dept and it was pretty easy. When I applied, being a former LEO seemed to help, but now, I think they're issuing permits to just about everyone who isn't too sketchy.