About the Law Enforcement Officers’ Safety Act (LEOSA)
On July 22, 2004, the United States Senate passed H.R. 218, the “Law Enforcement Officers’ Safety Act” by unanimous consent and was subsequently signed by President George W. Bush.
The bill exempts qualified active and retired law enforcement officers from select local and State prohibitions on the carrying of concealed firearms. It does not provide police officer liability protection, nor does it completely
exempt active or retired officers from all state laws regarding carrying concealed firearms.
On August 12, 2005, Arizona HB 2450 took effect which allows the CWPU to issue a “Certificate of Firearms Proficiency” to qualified retired law enforcement officer applicants who are Arizona residents. Retired officers will need to qualify with the type of firearm they wish to carry and pass a judgmental shooting evaluation. Applicants must qualify through a AZPOST certified firearms instructor approved by the CWPU (there is no longer a requirement for the instructor to also be a CCW instructor). The instructor will provide the applicant with an application that must be filled out and submitted to the CWPU (along with other required documentation) and a money order/cashiers check/certified check for the applicable fee made payable to the Department of Public Safety. Upon receipt of all required documents, the CWPU will issue the certificate. Active duty peace officers do not need this certificate; they may carry using their law enforcement credentials.
Firearm qualification will consist of standard AZPOST requirements (50rd course, ranges of 25, 15, 7 and 3 yards, min passing score is 210). The TQ15, 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.
Required application documents will include: a completed LEOSA application signed by the instructor, a photocopy of the applicant's retired credentials, a letter from the agency the officer retired from and the appropriate fee. Fingerprint cards will not be submitted.
The agency letter must be on agency letterhead and include the applicants name, rank, employee or badge number, dates of employment, and retired status. The letter must also contain the name and 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 only by complying with all of the requirements in Arizona Administrative Rule R13-9-402.
Certificates are valid for one year, beginning from the date the qualification was completed. Certificates are not CCW permits; they are simply documentation of training/qualification that must be carried along with the retired officer's credentials when carrying a concealed firearm.
Nothing precludes individual law enforcement agencies from qualifying their own retirees and issuing their own credentials with the required information.
To Obtain a Certificate of Firearms Proficiency (Retired Law Enforcement Only):
1. Locate an Instructor who is qualified to provide LEOSA qualification and
establish a qualification date.
2. Complete the AZPOST firearms qualification course with the type of firearm
you will carry (semi-auto, revolver, or both).
3. Obtain the application from the instructor. Ensure they complete their portion and you fill out the rest.
4. Submit the completed application, letter from your agency, a photocopy of your retired credentials issued
by your agency and a money order, cashiers check, or a certified check for the applicable fee made payable
to the Department of Public Safety. For future submissions, you will NOT need to submit the letter from
your agency or the photocopy of your credentials UNLESS the LEOSA certificate is allowed to expire.
5. Submit the completed packet to the CWPU.
6. Normally, you will receive your certificate within a reasonable period (one to two weeks).
7. The LEOSA certificate is good for one year. If the LEOSA certificate is allowed to expire you must
successfully complete the qualification course, submit a copy of your agency letter and agency retired photo
id, and applicable fee, to renew it (Arizona Administrative Rule 13-9-404).
