The Law Enforcement Officers' Safety Act Signed Into Law By President Bush!

National President Chuck Canterbury joined President George W. Bush and congressional leaders for the signing ceremony for H.R. 218, the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act. Metropolitan Police Officer and F.O.P. Member Olivia Wilcox, along with the legislation's strongest supporters, were also in attendance, including Sen. Patrick Leahy (second from left), Sen. Orrin Hatch (third from left), Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (behind Pres. Canterbury), Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham (fourth from right) and Rep. Tom DeLay (second from right).

Chuck Canterbury, National President of the Grand Lodge, Fraternal Order of Police, proudly announced that President George W. Bush signed H.R. 218, the "Law Enforcement Officers' Safety Act," into law earlier today.

"Today's triumph was the result of a long, hard-fought battle," Canterbury said. "The Fraternal Order of Police has been working toward this day for over ten years. With the stroke of his pen, the President has made real the hopes of law enforcement officers across the nation."

The legislation, sponsored by Representative Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-CA), was passed by the House in June, and then by the Senate earlier this month. It exempts qualified active and retired law enforcement officers from State and local prohibitions with respect to the carrying of concealed firearms.

Canterbury and F.O.P. Executive Director Jim Pasco met privately with the President in the Oval Office before the bill signing. "The President has truly made this country a safer place," said Canterbury after the ceremony. "By enacting this legislation, President Bush has ensured that when officers are confronted with a situation to which they must react, they have the tools necessary to ensure their own safety, and the safety of their families and the public they have been sworn to protect."

Now that the measure has been signed into law, active and retired law enforcement officers will be able to carry their firearms even when traveling outside their own jurisdictions. The bill, which was the F.O.P.'s top legislative priority, had wide, bipartisan support in both the House and Senate during its consideration in the Congress.

"There are many people to whom we owe a debt of gratitude today. Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-CO), and Representatives Tom DeLay (R-TX) and Duke Cunningham (R-CA) were all instrumental in moving the bill through the legislative process. We are especially grateful to President Bush, a true friend to law enforcement. Without his tireless support, we would not be here today. But most importantly, we owe our thanks to all those F.O.P. members who have worked so hard to achieve this goal."

The Fraternal Order of Police is the largest law enforcement labor organization in the United States, with more than 318,000 members.