TexasCHLforum.com

I am a retired deputy sheriff from out of state living in Austin. The Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) is a United States federal law, enacted in 2004, that allows two classes of persons -- the "qualified law enforcement officer" and the "qualified retired law enforcement officer" -- to carry a concealed firearm in any jurisdiction in the United States, regardless of any state or local law to the contrary, with certain exceptions.

In order to be considered a "qualified retired law enforcement officer," one must be a person who "(1) retired in good standing from service with a public agency as a law enforcement officer, other than for reasons of mental instability; (2) before such retirement, was authorized by law to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, investigation, or prosecution of, or the incarceration of any person for, any violation of law, and had statutory powers of arrest; (3)(A) before such retirement, was regularly employed as a law enforcement officer for an aggregate of 15 years or more; or (B) retired from service with such agency, after completing any applicable probationary period of such service, due to a service-connected disability, as determined by such agency; (4) has a non-forfeitable right to benefits under the retirement plan of the agency; (5) during the most recent 12-month period, has met, at the expense of the individual, the State's standards for training and qualification for active law enforcement officers to carry firearms . . ."

I meet all these qualifications except number 5. I have not been able to find a place to qualify with my pistol. The Austin PD range is out of the question since I am not a retired APD officer. Returning to my agency yearly is not an option. I found the Austin PD Retired Officers Association web site, http://www.aproa.org/ who recommended using Schaefer Training Academy in Dale, Texas to qualify. I emailed Tom Schaefer but I have received no reply. I called and got his answering machine.

Is there any placed where I can meet the annual qualification?

Not sure if the DPS has anything at their academy to allow for qualification using their range, but you might contact them at (512) 424-7214.

LaUser wrote:Is there any placed where I can meet the annual qualification?

Texas has a very straightforward process for this.

Download the application form and follow the instructions.

Any certified law enforcement firearms instructor or CHL instructor can run you through the qualification course and fill out his section of the form.

When the completed form is sent in, you will receive a firearms proficiency certificate from TCLEOSE. This, along with your retired officer ID card from the agency you served with meets the documentary requirements for LEOSA carry.

PM me with your email address and I will send you a copy of the TABC qualification course. If you want me to, I can qualifiy you any weekend. For this, i would normally go to Lockhart where they will allow you to practice the draw and the various ranges.

You are also welcome whenever I get our officers out to the range. I do not have a trip scheduled int he immeidate future though.

Ed, Steve,

Thanks for the message and replies. It is just what I was looking for.
Steve, I sent you an email.

We do this at the Lone Star Gun Range in Lockhart. You need to set up in advance via e-mail to insure that I (Matt) will be there as I am the certified CHL Instructor to sign off on the paperwork. I am also a notary and can notarize that section for you as well. You can find information on my website. http://www.ctxpta.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.
Matt

Thanks to everyone for their replies, especially Excalibur.

The steps were:
(1) downloaded the form http://www.tcleose.state.tx.us/FormsApp ... _30_08.doc and fill it out.
(2) copy of my credentials notarized. My bank did it free.
(3) shot the course, after passing it get the Certificate of Firearms Proficiency notarized
(4) signed the sworn affidavit that is page two of the document above and had it notarized.
(5) two (2) color passport photos made at Walgreens for $7.99 + tax. Sign the back of both. Only need one (1).
(6) obtained a money order for $25.00
(7) I sent it all in.

I had a question about the required certified or notarized copy of my credentials so I called TCLEOSE. Gloria was very helpful and explained that get a xerox copy of the credentials notarized.

I shot the course at Schaefer Training Academy, Dale, TX . Tom Schaefer is a retired APD Sergeant and he notarized the documents.

Now I have a 3 to 6 week wait.

I qualified on March 14, 2009 and I received my "Retired Officer Firearms Proficiency" card from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education yesterday, April 4. It is good for one year, March 14, 2010.

The State of Texas officially sanctioned my annual firearms qualification. However, no where does it state what I qualified with, revolver of pistol. I qualified with a SIG P220 .45 ACP. I will be glad to go back and qualify with my S&W .357 revolver, but I must get some ammo first.

LaUser wrote:I qualified on March 14, 2009 and I received my "Retired Officer Firearms Proficiency" card from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education yesterday, April 4. It is good for one year, March 14, 2010.

The State of Texas officially sanctioned my annual firearms qualification. However, no where does it state what I qualified with, revolver of pistol. I qualified with a SIG P220 .45 ACP. I will be glad to go back and qualify with my S&W .357 revolver, but I must get some ammo first.

The type of gun you qualified with should be in the records of the instructor who qualified you. If you only qualify with either revolver or auto, you're fine if you carry only that type of gun. If you carry both, it is required that you qualify with both. Although it is unlikely to come up as an issue in the normal course of events, if you're ever involved in an incident with a weapon type you didn't qualify with, you could technically be charged with unlawfully carrying that gun - a complication is best avoided.

I'm glad to hear your certificate came through promptly, as mine had the first couple of times. This year I've been waiting about 5 weeks. I made two calls to TCLEOSE and been told both times that it had been issued and was being put in the mail that day. After a third call, a supervisor is investigating and has promised to call me today to let me know what happened and hopefully to actually get it on the way to me. Although I allowed what I thought was plenty of time for processing, next year I'll allow even more.

This year I've been waiting about 5 weeks. I made two calls to TCLEOSE and been told both times that it had been issued and was being put in the mail that day. After a third call, a supervisor is investigating and has promised to call me today to let me know what happened and hopefully to actually get it on the way to me. Although I allowed what I thought was plenty of time for processing, next year I'll allow even more.

I hope it gets to you soon.

if you're ever involved in an incident with a weapon type you didn't qualify with, you could technically be charged with unlawfully carrying that gun - a complication is best avoided.

I have no intention of carrying any type other than what I qualified with. I do intend to go back and qualify with a revolver, ammo permitting.

Thanks again for all your advise and help.

LaUser wrote:

This year I've been waiting about 5 weeks. I made two calls to TCLEOSE and been told both times that it had been issued and was being put in the mail that day. After a third call, a supervisor is investigating and has promised to call me today to let me know what happened and hopefully to actually get it on the way to me. Although I allowed what I thought was plenty of time for processing, next year I'll allow even more.

I hope it gets to you soon.

if you're ever involved in an incident with a weapon type you didn't qualify with, you could technically be charged with unlawfully carrying that gun - a complication is best avoided.

I have no intention of carrying any type other than what I qualified with. I do intend to go back and qualify with a revolver, ammo permitting.

Thanks again for all your advise and help.

Thanks for the good wishes. I'm glad I could be of help.