# Plain Language Summary: Law Enforcement Officers Safety COVID Extension Act of 2021

This bill makes it easier for retired police officers and other law enforcement officers to carry hidden guns across the country. Normally, gun laws vary from state to state, and someone with a permit to carry a concealed weapon in one state might not be allowed to do so in another. This bill creates a special exception that allows qualified retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms nationwide, regardless of what their home state's gun laws say.

The key part of this bill is that it relaxes the usual requirements for who counts as a "qualified retired law enforcement officer." Instead of requiring retired officers to meet current firearms training standards, the bill allows them to qualify based on training they completed back in 2019. This is the "COVID extension" part of the name—it's essentially giving retired officers a break during the pandemic by not requiring them to take new training courses or pass new tests. The bill applies this special rule for the years 2021 and 2022, allowing retired officers to use their 2019 qualifications to carry concealed weapons during this period.

In practical terms, this affects retired police officers, federal agents, and other law enforcement personnel who have left their jobs. If they meet the 2019 training standards from their former agency or their state, they can now carry a hidden gun in any state without needing to get a new permit or pass a new qualification test. This is meant to give these retired officers the same protections they had while working, recognizing that they have law enforcement training and background checks. However, the bill only applies to 2021 and 2022, so after that period ends, the old rules would go back into effect unless Congress extends it again.

Law Enforcement Officers Safety COVID Extension Act of 2021

Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2]

Law Enforcement Officers Safety COVID Extension Act of 2021 This bill allows a retired law enforcement officer to carry concealed firearms in calendar years 2021 and 2022 if the retired officer met the federal qualification requirements (e.g., training standards) to carry concealed firearms during calendar year 2019.