The House Judiciary Committee marked up and unanimously passed HR 2137 the Federal Law Enforcement Self Defense and Protection Act. The bill’s author Georgia 9th District Congressman Doug Collins said,
“During the lapse in funding in 2013, about 1800 federal officers were forced to hand over their government issued firearms in a seemingly arbitrary decision. These officers are highly trained and know the responsibilities associated with possessing a weapon; it does not make sense to disarm them if there is a lapse in federal appropriations, especially as our country faces increasing national security threats.”
The bill received strong support from the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the Fraternal Order of Police, and the National Association of Police Organizations and will receive a swift vote in the full House.
Representative Collins, the son of a Georgia State Trooper, stressed that,
“…this legislation will clarify federal policy to ensure they can defend themselves and the public in event of a furlough or a lapse in appropriations.”
The complete press release is available here.