S. 679 — LEOSA Reform Act

This section amends the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 to add exceptions to the prohibitions on knowing possession of a firearm (18 U.S.C. § 922(q)(2)) and discharge of a firearm (18 U.S.C. § 922(q)(3)) in a school zone for individuals authorized to carry a concealed firearm under the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004 (i.e., qualified active law enforcement officers under § 926C or qualified retired law enforcement officers under § 926B). (Thus, such individuals may lawfully possess or carry concealed firearms within 1,000 feet of school property.)

This section revises provisions of the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004 (LEOSA) governing concealed carry by qualified active law enforcement officers (18 U.S.C. 926B) by (1) extending preemption of state and local laws to also include other federal laws, including National Park System regulations; (2) limiting exceptions for state laws permitting prohibitions on private property or state/local government property such that those laws do not apply on property used by common or contract carriers to transport people or property by land, rail, or water or on property open to the public (whether or not a fee is charged to enter); and (3) expanding the definition of "firearm" to expressly include any magazine not prohibited by federal law or the National Firearms Act (in addition to previously included ammunition). This section makes parallel changes to LEOSA provisions governing concealed carry by qualified retired law enforcement officers (18 U.S.C. 926C); revises firearms qualification standards to require meeting active duty standards of the former agency, the resident state, any law enforcement agency in the resident state, or any certified firearms instructor in the resident state during the most recent 12-month period (or up to 36 months at state option); updates identification and certification requirements to allow documents issued by those same entities attesting to such qualification; and expands the definition of "firearm" to expressly include any magazine not prohibited by federal law or the National Firearms Act.

This section expands exceptions under 18 U.S.C. 930 to the prohibition on possessing firearms or dangerous weapons in federal facilities (other than court facilities) by permitting qualified law enforcement officers or qualified retired law enforcement officers (as defined in 18 U.S.C. 926B and 926C, respectively) to possess a firearm or ammunition in a Facility Security Level I or II civilian public access facility (i.e., a low-risk federal building open to the general public, as assessed under Interagency Security Committee standards). It adds corresponding definitions to subsection (g).