Who issues CA LEOSA cards?

[rusty goose]

This is really getting frustrating...

I just left the USSS after a little over 10 years of service. I'm trying to get a LEOSA card from them. Some lawyer didn't like the current version saying "retired" for both officially retired (25+ years) personnel and personnel separated after 10+ years. So they decided they need to print a card saying "separated". That decision was made 3 years ago and they still have not agreed on the wording/design and gotten approvals.

Federal Gov't..... 'nuff said.

So the advice given to me by the Agent that handles such matters was to simply get a LEOSA card from the CA entity that distributes them here. For other States it was simple as showing the right folks proof of employment as a LEO and the employment dates.

So in CA who would that be?

CA DOJ, the folks that have the website that says try back in a few minutes.... has actually been down for months?

Local Sheriff?
CHP?

Any help would be greatly appreciated,
Rusty

[wildman66]

Not sure which county you live in but I would check with the local Sheriff.

[Rogue187]

You could get the identification card also from the agency that is going to do your firearms qualification..But in order to get that you need your identification from USSS stating that you are retired/separated.. Sounds like you need to contact the people in DC at your HQ after the shutdown to get more information.

[socalblue]

You could get the identification card also from the agency that is going to do your firearms qualification..But in order to get that you need your identification from USSS stating that you are retired/separated.. Sounds like you need to contact the people in DC at your HQ after the shutdown to get more information.

Correct. You need two separate items to carry under LEOSA:

1. Agency ID card showing retired / separated with LEOSA privileges
2. Yearly qualifications card (This can be from any LE agency authorized to carry firearms)

I would write a letter of demand stating the legal obligation for USSS to immediately issue a LEOSA certified ID. Failing a rapid response, off to Federal court for an injunction requiring issue of required ID. I suspect there are many in the same situation as you that would join in a legal action.

[003]

Unlike some/most/many States, California does not have a State wide standard. In California it is left up to each individual Police or Sheriff’s Department. Under the most recent update to LEOSA S-1132, which was signed into law by President Obama in 2010 , the yearly qualification requirement can be met by meeting the standards of a local Police or Sheriff's Department or a range master that is qualified to certify active duty LE Officers. There are a number of both active and retired LE range masters that will certify retired LE officer that meet the requirements of LEOSA. If you are in Southern California, stop by Oak Tree and check the bulletin board near the pro shop. There is a retired LAPD Lieutenant that will certify you.

The following is a "cut and paste" from Senate bill 1132.

“(4) during the most recent 12-month period, has met, at the expense of the individual, the standards for qualification in firearms training for active law enforcement officers, as determined by the former agency of the individual, the State in which the individual resides or, if the State has not established such standards, either a law enforcement agency within the State in which the individual resides or the standards used by a certified firearms instructor that is qualified to conduct a firearms qualification test for active duty officers within that State;’; and…………..”


While the above will meet the yearly qualification requirements, I have no idea how you can get an ID card that shows you are a qualified former LE officer. That would have to come from your former agency.

[DISCOSON]

Do you have a address and phone no. for Oak Tree? I will be moving to Huntington Beach to be near my daughter/son-in-law and grandson in the next year and need to find somewhere to qualify when my certification expires! Thanks, Discoson

[003]

http://www.oaktreegunclub.com/

Oaktree gun club

[rusty goose]

Thanks for the responses, I'm in Sacramento.

When I talk to the USSS contact person, he has no idea how individual States handle LEOSA, all the States do it differently apparently. He just tells me that the Service can't get their act together and not to expect a card for years..... He is just as frustrated as I am, and quite a few others on the list as well.
Rusty

[45Rimless-Smokeless]

Greg Block is a POST Certified Firearms instructor located in Orange County and can issue a card showing qualification to state standards. His email is greg(at)firearmstraining(dot)com.

Stan

[mej16489]

So the advice given to me by the Agent that handles such matters was to simply get a LEOSA card from the CA entity that distributes them here. For other States it was simple as showing the right folks proof of employment as a LEO and the employment dates.

So in CA who would that be?

The credentials must come from your agency. Qualification is readily available throughout the state.

[Che762x39]

I think you have to be retired. I know a lot of 'former' cops who for one reason or another left before retirement. They got nothing for 10, 15 or more years of service.

Being a Fed, do you not get something for 10 years and being 55?

[rusty goose]

I just got a phone call from the CA DOJ answering my question. As he stated "CA has opted out of the LEOSA". He directed me to the DOJ website (the site that still says try back in a few minutes) where is explains that in CA's opinion, the law as it was written in 2004 gives them the option to "opt out".
He then said as a former LEO it should be easy for me to get a ccw through my local Sheriff.

[mej16489]

I just got a phone call from the CA DOJ answering my question. As he stated "CA has opted out of the LEOSA". He directed me to the DOJ website (the site that still says try back in a few minutes) where is explains that in CA's opinion, the law as it was written in 2004 gives them the option to "opt out".
He then said as a former LEO it should be easy for me to get a ccw through my local Sheriff.

The person you spoke with at CA DOJ doesn't know what the heck he/she is talking about.

LEOSA is federal law across all 50 states; there is no opting out.

So long as you meet the requirements & carry credentials its good nationally. For retired/separated you must also carry proof of qualification.

Even if you do get a CA License to Carry concealed; its only good within CA.

[wtactraining]

The person you spoke with at CA DOJ doesn't know what the heck he/she is talking about.

LEOSA is federal law across all 50 states; there is no opting out.

So long as you meet the requirements & carry credentials its good nationally. For retired/separated you must also carry proof of qualification.

Even if you do get a CA License to Carry concealed; its only good within CA.

All correct and your LEOSA card comes from your final agency states can not issue you a LEOSA card. They can only issue you a CCW. You are owed one for 10+ years of service stay on your agency.

[dustoff31]

All correct and your LEOSA card comes from your final agency states can not issue you a LEOSA card. They can only issue you a CCW. You are owed one for 10+ years of service stay on your agency.

Actually they can and many do. In fact the wording of the LEOSA law requires retired officers to qualify in their state of residence.

For example, if the OP lived in AZ, he would do this:

http://www.azdps.gov/Services/Concealed_Weapons/LEOSA/About/

On October 12, 2010, President Barack H. Obama signed S. 1132, the “Law Enforcement Officers’ Safety Act,” into law. The Act, now Public Law 110-272, went into effect immediately.

The bill to improve the ability of retired officers to comply with the documents required by existing Federal law when carrying a firearm under 18 USC 926C and makes other modifications to existing law.

Arizona – Certificate of Firearms Proficiency
Retired officers must qualify with the type of firearm they wish to carry and pass a judgmental shooting evaluation. Applicants must qualify through an AZPOST certified firearms instructor approved by the CWPU. The instructor will provide the applicant with an application form once the qualification course has been completed. Active duty peace officers do not need this certificate; they may carry using their law enforcement credentials.

The firearm qualification will consist of the standard AZPOST requirements (50 round course, ranges of 25, 15, 7 and 3 yards, minimum passing score is 210). The TQ 15, TQ 19 or TQ 21 targets may be used.
Judgmental shooting evaluations can be accomplished by a variety of approved means to include the use of FATS/Range2000 units, “friend or foe” targets, video scenarios, etc. This portion of the qualification must follow AZ POST requirements.

Application and documentation for a Certificate of Firearms Proficiency
Required application documents include: a completed LEOSA application signed by the instructor, a photocopy of the applicant's photographic identification credentials, a letter from the agency where the officer was employed and the appropriate fee. Fingerprint cards are not required as no background check is conducted.

The agency letter must be on agency letterhead and include the applicant’s name, employee or badge number, dates of employment, and employment status. The letter must also contain the name, identification number, and contact telephone number of an individual within the agency who can verify the information provided. Use the CWPU LEOSA form letter as all others will be rejected unless arrangements have been made with the CWPU.
If a certificate of firearms proficiency expires, the former certificate holder may obtain a new certificate by complying with all of the requirements in Arizona Administrative Rule R13-9-402.