18 U.S.C. 926C allows a qualified retired law enforcement officer carrying the required identification to carry a covered concealed firearm across state lines despite many state and local restrictions. Retired status alone is insufficient. Each statutory condition must be met when carrying. [1]
Eligibility and qualification
The officer generally must have separated in good standing after at least ten aggregate years of qualifying service, or after the applicable probationary period because of a service-connected disability determined by the agency. The statute also addresses prior arrest or apprehension authority, disqualifying mental-health findings or agreements, intoxication, and federal firearm prohibitions. [1]
Firearms qualification must be current within the preceding 12 months. The statute specifies whose qualification standards and certification can be used; a general concealed-carry training certificate is not automatically enough.
Carry the right documents
One route is agency photographic identification that also establishes timely qualification with the same type of firearm. The alternative combines qualifying agency photo identification with the required state or instructor certification. Keep both documents available when using that route. [1]
Places and weapons outside the protection
LEOSA preserves certain private-property restrictions and state or local government property restrictions. It does not erase federal facility prohibitions. Section 930, for example, regulates firearms in federal facilities and contains its own definitions and exceptions. [2]
The statute excludes machineguns, silencers, and destructive devices from its covered firearm definition. Do not assume an otherwise lawful weapon receives LEOSA protection simply because an officer owns it.
Before a trip, check qualification dates, identification, destination-property rules, and transportation requirements. An officer whose qualification expired last month cannot fix that gap merely by carrying old retirement credentials.
Qualification and permission are separate checks
Annual qualification should be documented for the firearm type being carried, using the statutory certification route. A state carry permit does not fill a missing LEOSA credential, and a LEOSA credential does not necessarily resolve a federal property’s restriction. Before relying on the law, check both sets of facts: personal qualification and the location. A retired officer who satisfies the service requirement but is under the influence while carrying fails a separate statutory condition. Likewise, possession prohibited by another federal provision is not cured by years of prior law-enforcement service. [1]
Compare LEOSA rules for off-duty officers and airline checked-firearm requirements before relying on credentials during travel.
Primary sources
Sources checked: October 31, 2026.