Bills of Congress by U.S. Congress

H.R.2255 - Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act (119th Congress)

Summary

H.R.2255, the Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act, allows federal law enforcement officers, including retired officers, to purchase their retired service weapons. The program would be established by the Administrator of General Services within one year of the Act's enactment. Officers must be in good standing and make the purchase within six months of the firearm's retirement; the purchase price is the salvage value of the firearm.

Expected Effects

This bill would enable federal law enforcement officers to own their service weapons upon retirement. It also defines key terms such as 'Federal law enforcement officer,' 'firearm,' 'retired firearm,' and 'salvage value' to provide clarity and prevent misuse. The General Services Administration would be responsible for implementing the program.

Potential Benefits

  • Allows officers to retain a familiar firearm, potentially for self-defense.
  • Provides a symbolic gesture of appreciation for their service.
  • Could generate some revenue for the government through the sale of retired firearms.
  • Clarifies the process for officers to acquire these weapons legally.
  • Reduces the burden on agencies to store or dispose of retired firearms.

Potential Disadvantages

  • Potential for retired firearms to be misused or resold illegally.
  • Administrative burden on the General Services Administration to manage the program.
  • Concerns about the suitability of all officers, even those in good standing, to own firearms after retirement.
  • Possible increase in the number of firearms in circulation.
  • The definition of 'salvage value' may be subjective and lead to inconsistencies.

Constitutional Alignment

The bill appears to align with the Second Amendment, which protects the right of the people to keep and bear Arms. However, the Second Amendment is not unlimited, and reasonable restrictions can be imposed. The bill's limitations, such as the requirement for officers to be in good standing and the six-month purchase window, could be seen as reasonable restrictions. Article 1, Section 8, Clause 1, which grants Congress the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States, could be interpreted to allow Congress to regulate the sale of government property.

Impact Assessment: Things You Care About

This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).