LEOSA

[Defender]

I've just finally got my LEOSA credential from the agency I retired from.  While researching how to get firearms qualified in accordance with the law, I find that there are several places I can do that, however, to get the firearms qualification card form the State of Tennessee, they make one jump through even MORE hoops. The POST  guy I talked to was very discouraging and recommended that I not do it, but instead just use my TN HCP.   Apparently, I have to go through the Tennessee POST commission, and they seem to not be following the law as established under LEOSA.  As I understand the law, and I have read it many times as well as discussing it with experts in other states, the criteria for authorizing handgun carry under LEOSA rests with the agency one retires from.  They do the fingerprints, the FBI background check, verify your law enforcement retirement in good standing, etc, and then issue the credential.  The credential alone, however, does not permit one to start carrying.  One must then maintain an annual law enforcement firearms qualification  in the state of residence and be in possession of a properly issued, valid LEOSA credential.  TN POST requires one to go through the fingerprint background check yet again, submit another application through TN and pay a another fee, in addition to whatever fingerprinter and the range charges.  They also require a copy of the credential.  The guy at the POST commission told me, and the application they sent me says there are two separate levels of the TN authorization.  One only requires a qualification every 4 years, is valid in TN only and not LEOSA compliant for all states.  The second one requires annual qualification and is LEOSA compliant in all states.  Another problem appears to be that they want a signed letter form the Agency with the information that is already on my credential, which is signed by the agency.  It seems to me that TN is not only non-compliant with Federal law, but is also throwing up discouraging obstacles to keep qualified retired law enforcement officers from legally carrying under LEOSA.  

 

I'vr talked to others in other states, and everyone seems to think that I am right in this and that TN is con-compliant, but they also said nothing will likely change until someone sues TN for this.  Im not inclined to do that.  Has anyone had any experience with this?  Can anyone make any recommendations?  One of the reasons I wanted the LEOSA compliuant credential and authorization to carry was in case I went to a state that does not have HCP reciprocity with TN, I would still be able to carry my handgun.  Although I dont travel outside this state much, one never knows.  In reading LEOSA, all that TN should do is insure that the annual firearms qualification i take is TN POST certified and issue a range qualification card, period.  What say y'all?  Any advice?  Also would welcome any legal opinions from the legal eagles on here.

Edited May 17, 2015 by barewoolf

[Monkeyman2500]

Glad you could make it happen. Sounds like it was a real hassle. Seems a bit extreme.

[Pain103]

Did you retire from an out of state agency? If you didn't why would you even bother with the state just go through your agency yearly like you were still there to qualify and they should issue you a retired credentials that should cover the LEOSA requirements.

If you did come from out of state or even moved across the state you should be able to qualify under someone's post approved range class it would appear.

[Defender]

I was Federal. LEOSA requires a police approved firearms qual from the state of residence, issued by the state of residence. I have NOT made this happen yet, just got thevLEOSA credential do far, still gotta go thru the hoops for this state yet for the range qual card.

[Pain103]

Would it help to do your range with a local PD? I could probably get you set up.

[DaveTN]

Can the POST commission not give you the info on where to qualify? You will need to do it every year.

Requirements:
https://www.tn.gov/sos/rules/1110/1110-10.20100616.pdf

Guns & Leather has a LEOSA class that I would assume is a qualification. You might want to call them.
http://gandlacademy.com/classes/leosa-class/

[snakebite]

I'm retired from Florida and need to qualify. I'm in the Tri-cities area. Does anyone know of a POST certified instructor in the area that might qualify me? I've already obtained the "plethora" of paperwork from the state.