Texas Border Business
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) today led 11 of his Senate GOP colleagues in introducing the Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act, which would allow active and retired federal law enforcement officers in good standing to purchase retired service weapons and firearms:
“There’s no reason the brave men and women in law enforcement who dedicate their lives to preserving public safety should not be able to purchase retired firearms,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This commonsense legislation would reduce unnecessary waste and save both taxpayers and federal agencies money by allowing officers to exercise their Second Amendment rights.”
“Millions of taxpayer dollars are spent each year destroying retired federal service firearms,” said Sen. Crapo. “This practice effectively means the government pays for the same firearm twice—first when it is purchased, and again when it is destroyed. Allowing federal officers in good standing to purchase their retired service weapons is a common-sense, cost saving measure.”
“I am committed to protecting the right to bear arms for individuals not only in Montana, but across our nation. I’m proud to work with Senator Cornyn on the Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act, which will ensure that retired firearms can be available for purchase, saving costs for both taxpayers and officers,” said Sen. Daines. “This is a commonsense initiative that recognizes the hard work of law enforcement members and protects constitutional rights for Americans.”
“This is a straightforward way to cut waste and respect our law enforcement officers,” said Sen. Lankford. “Instead of forcing agencies to destroy retired firearms at taxpayer expense, this bill allows officers in good standing to purchase the weapons they’ve used. It saves money and recognizes their service.”
“Our Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every single day—the very least we can do is give them the opportunity to purchase the firearm they carried during their service,”said Sen. Lummis. “This commonsense legislation eliminates a costly and wasteful mandate to destroy usable weapons and creates a program that respects our officers and taxpayers.”
“Destroying a perfectly good firearm when a federal agency no longer needs it is a waste of taxpayer dollars,” said Sen. Risch. “Allowing law enforcement to purchase these firearms is fiscally responsible and plain commonsense.”
“The current cost-of-service weapons policy forces taxpayers to pay twice—once to purchase these weapons and again to destroy them. That’s wasteful and unnecessary,” said Sen. Budd. “I’m proud to partner with Senator Cornyn on a commonsense solution that puts an end to this double spending by allowing active and retired law enforcement officers, in good standing, to purchase retired weapons at salvage value to keep themselves and their families safe.”
“I can’t even begin to tell you how commonsense this bill is, and I applaud Senator Cornyn for introducing legislation that makes a real difference,” said Sen. Justice. “We did the same thing at the state level in West Virginia, and I wholeheartedly believe we should let our honorable law enforcement officers purchase and keep their duty weapons. Let’s stop wasting taxpayer dollars on destroying retired firearms. This bill is supported by every police group possible, and I am fully behind it as well.”
U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID), Steve Daines (R-MT), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), James Lankford (R-OK), Cynthis Lummis (R-WY), Jim Risch (R-ID), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Ted Budd (R-NC), Jim Justice (R-WV), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Pete Ricketts (R-NE) are cosponsors of this legislation. Congressman Russell Fry (SC-07) introduced companion legislation, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives last year.
Background:
Under current federal regulations, a firearm must be destroyed once it is either retired from use or is no longer needed by an agency. This destruction process costs taxpayers millions of dollars a year. Sen. Cornyn’s legislation seeks to alleviate the burden facing taxpayers and give law enforcement the opportunity to recoup costs by allowing federal agencies to sell retired service weapons to federal law enforcement officers at fair-market value or a discounted price. Recovering this value can in turn offset the cost of new equipment and technology, fund training programs, and support other public safety needs. It also honors the Second Amendment rights of current and retired law enforcement officers by allowing them to purchase their firearms.
Specifically, the Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act would direct the Administrator of the General Services Administration to establish a program allowing active and retired federal law enforcement officers who are in good standing with their employing agency to purchase retired firearms within six months of the weapon’s retirement at salvage value. This simple and commonsense measure recognizes the service that law enforcement officers provide to our country, while also delivering cost savings that benefit both taxpayers and federal agencies.
This legislation is endorsed by the Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies (ASCIA), Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA), Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA), National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), National Narcotics Officers’ Associations’ Coalition (NNOAC), and National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP).
