Sens. Cruz, Cornyn, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Allow Law Enforcement Officers to Purchase Retired Firearms

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) joined Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) in introducing the Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act. The legislation will allow active and retired federal law enforcement officers in good standing to purchase retired firearms.

Sen. Cruz said, "The current process for retiring Federal Law Enforcement firearms is a clear example of government waste. Taxpayers are paying to purchase these firearms and then paying again to destroy them. Providing Federal Law Enforcement agencies with the option to sell these firearms back to officers is a practical and commonsense solution. I am proud to join Senator Cornyn in introducing this legislation to reduce wasteful spending."

Sen. Cornyn said, "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. This commonsense legislation would reduce unnecessary waste and save both taxpayers and federal agencies money by allowing officers to exercise their Second Amendment rights."

Sen. Crapo said, "Millions of taxpayer dollars are spent each year destroying retired federal service firearms. 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."

Sen. Daines said, "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. This is a commonsense initiative that recognizes the hard work of law enforcement members and protects constitutional rights for Americans."

Sen. Lankford said, "This is a straightforward way to cut waste and respect our law enforcement officers. 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."

Sen. Lummis said, "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. This commonsense legislation eliminates a costly and wasteful mandate to destroy usable weapons and creates a program that respects our officers and taxpayers."

Sen. Risch said, "Destroying a perfectly good firearm when a federal agency no longer needs it is a waste of taxpayer dollars. Allowing law enforcement to purchase these firearms is fiscally responsible and plain commonsense."

Sen Budd said, "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. 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."

Sen. Justice said, "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. 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."

Sen. Ricketts said, "This bill ends an unnecessary practice of destroying unneeded firearms used by federal law enforcement. Currently, taxpayers must pay for the destroying of these weapons after they are retired from usage or no longer needed. Senator Cornyn's Federal Law Enforcement Service Weapon Purchase Act makes it so that law enforcement officers in good standing can purchase these weapons. This will save taxpayers money, by no longer requiring the cost incurred of destroying these weapons."

U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Ind.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), and Jim Justice (R-W.V.) are cosponsors of this legislation. Congressman Russell Fry (R-S.C.-07) introduced companion legislation, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives last year.

Read the bill text here.

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. 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 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).