Recent Bill Passed by House Underscores Why Active & Retired FLEOs Need LEOSA Coverage

In May 2023, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that would allow active and retired federal law enforcement officers to purchase retired weapons from their agencies. If enacted into law, this would be a significant change from current federal regulations, which require all federal agencies to destroy weapons after they have been retired from federal use.

Endorsed by the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA) and Women in Federal Law Enforcement (WIFLE), this bill will make it easier for active and retired federal law enforcement officers to obtain and carry weapons previously used by their agency. Retired weapons will be sold at “salvage value” rather than at “fair market value,” making them less costly than new weapons. Additionally, background checks will not be required to purchase retired weapons. Current and former federal law enforcement officers will be eligible for this program as long as they are in “good standing” with their agency.

This bill may enable more retired federal law enforcement officers to carry off-duty, and more retired federal law enforcement officers to carry a weapon under HR-218/the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA). Regardless of where you acquire your firearm, active and retired federal law enforcement officers know that dangerous situations can arise seemingly out of nowhere. If you are in a legal and justified shooting incident, representation from your agency and the Department of Justice (DOJ) is not automatic or mandatory – you may be denied representation or indemnification if it is determined that you acted outside of your off-duty or retired LEOSA authorization. If that happens, you will be on your own in defending yourself against the fallout that often accompanies such incidents – that’s why you need FEDS Protection.

For qualified active federal law enforcement officers, FEDS offers a LEOSA Endorsement that can be added to our Federal Employee Professional Liability Insurance (PLI) policy. With annual premiums starting at $290, the FEDS Federal Employee PLI policy offers $1,000,000, $2,000,000, or $3,000,000 in coverage for civil suits, $200,000 in coverage for administrative actions and disciplinary proceedings, and $100,000 in coverage for criminal investigations. Starting at an additional $100 in annual premium, the FEDS LEOSA Endorsement for active federal law enforcement officers provides $250,000 or $500,000 of civil liability coverage for bodily injury or property damage caused by a lawful act under the LEOSA. Additionally, both options offer $50,000 for criminal defense costs resulting from an alleged criminal action involving a self-defense (or spouse/legal dependent defense) incident, as well as $25,000 for criminal defense against state charges of unlawful carriage of a firearm or federally legal ammunition when lawfully carrying under LEOSA.

FEDS also offers LEOSA insurance for retired federal law enforcement officers. With annual premiums starting at $300, FEDS offers $100,000 or $250,000 of civil liability coverage for bodily injury or property damage caused by a lawful act under LEOSA. Both options provide $50,000 for criminal defense costs resulting from an alleged criminal action involving a self-defense (or spouse/legal dependent defense) incident, as well as $25,000 for criminal defense against state charges of unlawful carriage of a firearm or federally legal ammunition when lawfully carrying under LEOSA.

To learn more about how a FEDS PLI policy can protect you, visit www.fedsprotection.com or call (866) 955-FEDS, M-F 8:30am-6pm to speak directly to a representative.

*This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

Federal law enforcement officers can protect themselves against investigations with a FEDS Protection PLI policy.  FEDS Protection offers policies with $1 million, $2 million, or $3 million in civil liability protection for attorney’s fees and indemnity costs in the event you are sued in your civil capacity for actions taken within the scope of your employment. Our policy also includes $200,000 of legal representation coverage per incident for administrative actions and $100,000 of coverage for criminal defense costs arising out of actions taken within the scope of your employment. Annual premiums for FEDS Protection PLI start at $290, which is less than it would typically cost to hire a federal employment lawyer for an hour.  LEOSA coverage for off-duty incidents is also available for qualified law enforcement officers. Additionally, federal law enforcement officers are eligible for a reimbursement of up to 50% of the cost of their PLI policy through their agency.

To learn more about how a FEDS PLI policy can protect you and your career, visit www.fedsprotection.com or call (866) 955-FEDS, M-F 8:30am-6pm to speak directly to a representative.

*This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.