TexasCHLforum.com

srothstein wrote: Bryanmc, I was not saying TCOLE instructors cannot certify, just LTC instructors do not meet the law. As a matter of law, TCOLE officers must be able to certify officers IF their department adopts a policy allowing it.

I understand that Steve. The TCOLE card is just a record of proficiency. While TCOLE accepts an LTC instructor conducting the qual for "their" card, it must be a TCOLE instructor if the record of qualification is not a TCOLE card. So far I have only heard the "TCOLE only" answer from one TCOLE instructor, but he is adamant.

Excaliber wrote:
(B) a certification issued by the State in which the individual resides or by a certified firearms instructor that is qualified to conduct a firearms qualification test for active duty officers within that State that indicates that the individual has, not less than 1 year before the date the individual is carrying the concealed firearm, been tested or otherwise found by the State or a certified firearms instructor that is qualified to conduct a firearms qualification test for active duty officers within that State to have met—

(I) the active duty standards for qualification in firearms training, as established by the State[/color], to carry a firearm of the same type as the concealed firearm;[/i]

This is pretty much the way I read it. I'm not aware of any mandate from TCOLE to their instructors that they can't certify someone to standards and record it, nor can I find anything in writing. I have a call in to TCOLE to ask about this but haven't heard back from them yet.

Interesting that this has been revived. I found it in a search with keywords LEOSA and TCOLE. I had a firearms instructor (state le and chl) tell me that the only valid leosa qualification card in Texas was the one issued by TCOLE. LEOSA says that you have to qualify to state standards by someone qualified to conduct the qual. I'm wondering if the state can actually requires that you have a card issued by TCOLE or a card issued by a state le instructor stating that you met standards is actually sufficient?

nightmare69 wrote:This is why I also qualify with my personal concealed firearm during my yearly weapons qualifications with my department.

Actually the way LEOSA was written, you don't need to qualify with the specific weapon you intend to carry. It says same "type" of weapon. Some interpret that to mean handgun or long gun, but most agree it means pistol or revolver. If you shoot your department qual with say, your duty carry Sig 229, LEOSA will cover you off duty with any pistol.

Eric Lamberson wrote:Get a Texas LTC and go about your business? A possible solution?

I have already applied for one so that if I am out of date on my qual I'm still covered to carry. Unfortunately, getting the SAC in SF to put two sentences on letterhead, stating that I retired in good standing turned out to be a bureaucratic football as it was passed from office to office trying to figure out who should write it. After 2 weeks of no progress, I sent the forms in with a request to change the application status from retired federal agent to veteran and sent them a copy of my 214.

I'm a retired Federal Special Agent who moved to Texas in 2012. I have a Retired Law Enforcement Identification (not pin punched "retired creds") issued by my former agency (DHS/ICE). My ID spells out LEOSA and the fact that I'm covered by it as well as the fact that I need to have an up to date State firearms qualification to carry a concealed weapon. For the last few years, I have shot my qualification with a TCOLE firearms instructor and he has issued me a card, certifying that I have qualified to TCLEOSE standards and also exceeds the minimum standards for HR 218.

Now for my question. I was looking through some things the other day and see that Texas also issues a LEOSA certification for retired officers / agents. Since I already have a LEOSA ID from my agency, and LEOSA is a Federal law and not a State law, am I required to get a Texas LEOSA card, or am I ok continuing the way I have been, with my agency issued LEOSA ID and a qualification certification from a Texas law enforcement firearms instructor?