The latest on
right-to-carry
For those retired members who have not signed up for our email blast
notices and were not able to attend our April meeting, I am providing an
update and clarification on the right to carry firearms. After further meet-
ings with the New Jersey State Police Firearms Unit, here is up-to-the
minute status in our state.
Retired officers living in New Jersey can carry a concealed weapon only
under the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA), com-
JIM
monly known as HR-218. Following all rules and restrictions of the LEOSA,
TOMA
if carrying concealed is your only intent — not covering work-related se-
curity requiring a firearm or open carry — then there is no need to apply
STATE
DELEGATE for a Retired Police Officer (RPO) carry permit from the State Police.
If you intend to open carry or carry in a work-related security position,
then you are required to obtain your state-issued RPO card, and you must follow the rules
and restrictions that go along with that permit. The main differences with the NJ RPO:
there is an age cutoff of 75 years old, and hollow points are not allowed. Neither of these
restrictions apply to the federal LEOSA; however, be aware that under federal law, you
must carry your retired credentials and a copy of your most recent firearms qualification
record with you at all times.
Qualifications must be done twice per year in conjunction with all state requirements,
using the same course as active officers. No officer retired from New Jersey living out of
state will be issued a NJ RPO card. However, out-of-state residents can carry concealed in
New Jersey as long as they meet all LEOSA requirements.
A question has arisen regarding the relationship between carrying under LEOSA with
no age restriction and our State PBA Legal Protection Plan (LPP). Currently, there is a
75-year-old age cutoff for the LPP. Local 600 has asked for a clarification on this. As soon
as we are notified, we will report back to our members.
Many members have asked about the status of Senate Bill 5, which makes management
of the PFRS independent of the state through a committee of 12 elected and appointed
police, fire and government members working to ensure the future solvency of our pen-
sion system. The updated bill passed overwhelmingly in the State Senate and the State
Assembly on March 26, and currently it is on the governor’s desk waiting for his signature
into law. There might be some last-minute negotiating that needs to be done, and I will
keep all Local 600 members apprised about what that might include and when we might
see the bill signed.
Please continue to sign up for our emails and check our website often, because this
information is put out as soon as we get it. Also, there have been job opportunities posted
recently for members, and many are time-sensitive. Continue to be an active part of the
Local by staying informed.
Lastly, I want to note that activism comes in many different forms. I truly believe that
the many members of Local 600 who pushed, prodded, petitioned and complained to the
NJ State Police and politicians made a difference with the acknowledgment of the fed-
eral right-to-carry law here in our state. No new bill was passed, and no federal law was
changed, but there was an acknowledgement that New Jersey is part of the U.S., and fed-
eral law takes precedence. I believe you all accomplished that, and you should be proud.
Continue to use your rights with caution and discretion. d
18
NEW JERSEY COPS
■ APRIL 2018