NJBowhntr: sorry to say your very wrong in your statement. Under HR-218 law enforcement officer as myself must carry our off duty gun concelled, we have the powers of arrest but must follow that state laws, for example: here in NJ no law enforcement officer can carry there off duty gun in a casino, but in Las Vagas we maybe able too do so, so if thats the case an officer from Las Vagas comes to AC he must turn his gun into the casino's security so they can secure it. Also the NJ Attorney General has no say what so ever on this law, its Federal law, plus like me my department doesn't issue me an off duty gun, I own mine and I must qualify 2 times a year with that and my issued duty gun, the department can be more restrictive especially when and if that department allows officers to take home, and carry a department's gun, but that won't happen. Also HR-218 has been passed almost 1 year ago or more
Joe, in your eager haste to say I'm wrong about something, you made a little mistake. Here is my post again so you can re-read it...
One thing most people don't know about 218 is that...yes, officers can carry into other states, but they are treated as private citizens carrying in those states, and must act under the same laws as private citizens who can carry weapons...not police officers. This can cause a problem for people who carry in other states, and don't know the ins and outs of that states' laws concerning private citizens and firearms use.
Also, the NJ Attorney General has been very vague on whether NJ officers can carry their DUTY weapon out of state. That weapon belongs to the Department, not the officer, and that presents an issue that is still being decided. From what I hear, it's going to be viewed the same as taking a Department vehicle out of state...for offical purposes only, but no directive has been put forth yet.
See...I even put DUTY weapon in caps for you...didn't say anything about your Department or the AG having a say in your off-duty gun. Yes, you can carry your off duty weapon into other states, and you can make an arrest under that States' laws...laws for CIVILIANS making arrests. If you haven't had the AG's update course yet, when your get it, they will make that clear.
Here are some issues/questions I have with your post...
Under HR-218 law enforcement officer as myself must carry our off duty gun concelled
HR-218 doesn't say you
must carry your weapon. Are you saying if you carry, it must be concealed, or you
must carry? Some Departments require officers to carry all the time, in NJ, but I didn't read 218 that way. If you are just saying it must be concealed, that is correct.
we have the powers of arrest but must follow that state laws
Again, you do not have police powers in other states, only the right to carry a firearm, and you must follow the laws pertaining to civilians who can carry in those states. There has already been an example here in NJ where and NYC officer was carrying in NJ, and used his weapon acting as a police officer instead of a private citizen...he was charged in the incident. Trust me Joe, you have the right to carry in all 50 states, but HR-218 did NOT give you the right to be a police officer in all 50 states. You could get jammed up if you try.
Also the NJ Attorney General has no say what so ever on this law, its Federal law
Yep, it's a Federal law, but my referrence to the AG's involvement was and is pertaining only to carrying your DUTY weapon. Your Department and the AG have all the say in that matter...the Department owns that weapon, and the AG tells the Department what you can and can't do with it. You are free to carry any personal weapon you have qualified with into other States...but you will be treated as a civilian with a weapon...you have the same powers of arrest that a civilian in that State has, but cannot act as a police officer in that State.
...my issued duty gun, the department can be more restrictive especially when and if that department allows officers to take home, and carry a department's gun, but that won't happen
Joe, I don't understand this. Are you saying your Department doesn't allow duty weapons to be taken home and carried...or that it (take home and carry) won't happen?