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H.R. 2325, The Court and Law Enforcement Officers Protection Act of 2007
- This item is from the 110th Congress (2007-2008) and is no longer current. Comments, voting, and wiki editing have been disabled, and the cost/savings estimate has been frozen.
Comparing revision saved on June 12, 2007, 18:12:34 (webmaster), with revision saved on August 2, 2007, 02:46:32 (webmaster):
H.R. 2325 would provide adequate penalties for crimes committed against United States judges and Federal law enforcement officers, and it would provide appropriate security for judges and law enforcement officers.
== Detailed Summary ==
<summary>
Court and Law Enforcement Officers Protection Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) impose mandatory minimum terms of imprisonment for homicide, manslaughter, and kidnapping crimes against federal judges and law enforcement officers; (2) allow federal judges, U.S. attorneys, and Justice Department employees to carry firearms; (3) increase penalties for assaults against U.S. employees and officers and impose mandatory minimum terms of imprisonment for assaults against federal judges or law enforcement officers; and (4) impose mandatory minimum penalties for retaliating against a federal judge or law enforcement officer on account of the performance of official duties by murdering, kidnapping, assaulting, or threatening a family member.
Places limits on the award of civil damages and attorney's fees against judicial officers for injuries incurred by an individual during the commission of a felony or crime of violence.
Police Officer Daniel Faulkner Act of 2007 - Amends the federal judicial code to place limits on habeas corpus petitions for review of a state conviction for the murder of a public safety officer or judge engaged in the performance of official duties.
Requires the Director of the Bureau of Prisons to make rules allowing correctional officers of the Bureau to carry firearms to and from work and to store them at work.
</summary>
<!--Leave in the 'summary' tags if you want the latest summary from the Congressional Research Service automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. -->
== Status of the Legislation ==
<status>
Latest Major Action: 5/15/2007:6/4/2007: Referred to House committee.subcommittee. Status: Referred to the House CommitteeSubcommittee on the Judiciary.Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
</status>
<!-- Leave in the 'status' tags if you want the latest reported status from THOMAS automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. -->
== Points in Favor ==
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== Points Against ==
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Visitor Comments
Corey Kaough
August 15, 2007, 4:33pm (report abuse)That would be a good ideal to let Correctional Staff carry firearms to and from work. When we are in uniform we are looked at by many people who has issues with the Federal Bureau of Prisons who might try to harm a staff member.
Joe Anderson
August 15, 2007, 4:35pm (report abuse)Allowing Bureau staff to carry their firearms will make staff feel safer while going to and from work.
Marisol Pagan
August 15, 2007, 6:53pm (report abuse)IT"S ABOUT TIME THAT "WE" THE FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL OFFICER"S NATION WIDE UNITE TO FIGHT FOR OUR RIGHT"S AS WELL AS OUR SAFETY. UNITED WE STAND TOGETHER WE"LL FIGHT. GOD BLESS AMERICA
Claudio Clarke
August 15, 2007, 6:56pm (report abuse)I appreciate all the hard work and dedication to the Federal Officers, as was shown by the completion and or implementation of this much needed Bill. Keep up the good work.
Jose Reyes
August 15, 2007, 7:04pm (report abuse)Allowing me to carry from home to work will allow me to protect the american people and myself.
frontline
August 17, 2007, 10:07am (report abuse)Anytime you talk about increasing penalties and limiting damages for felons against LEO's in the performance of their duties you should have 100% support from everyone except the criminals. The fact that a thug can file a lawsuit against LEO’S in the defense of self/the performance of their duties, you see where society went wrong. The fact that any LEO is discouraged from carrying a firearm is a disgrace. Not only are they sacrificing their own safety but they endanger the public by virtue of the fact they are unarmed.
Frontline
August 17, 2007, 10:14am (report abuse)-hypothetical- A guys walks into the store with the intent to rob it, sees the LEO, rather than run away starts shooting(LEOs are a group he hates- being a criminal and all')the LEO is unarmed, his agency prohibits his lawful carry of a weapon to his place of work; due to not providing a secure area to store his weapon.(court & corrections officers - typically)could this tragedy be avoided? - yes in one of two ways- you provide an area for staff to change into uniform upon arrival. (problem is this does not protect the public from the thug- or if he recognizes the officer out of uniform- so same result)- or - provide space at the facility for lockers and personal items, thereby giving the staff the choice to act in whatever manner they prefer. if they choose to dress at work- so be it- but if they choose to shoulder the responsibility- they protect themselves and the public at all times- by the lawful exercise of the rights granted them by LEOSA
Shane Pate
August 17, 2007, 8:31pm (report abuse)As a Federal Law Enforcement Officer I should be able to carry to and from just like any other Officer covered by Leosa. Its time for Bop Officers to come together and stand up for are rights.
MP
August 21, 2007, 8:44pm (report abuse)If this does not pass, I guess when the bad guy comes at us we just take out our pens and write him up or just talk to them. All you have to do is watch the news or read the front page of any newspaper and see how that works out. About time they let us have the ability to defend ourselves, our families and the public in case of an emergency. The next step is to allow us to purchase with out having to give the state money to check our backgrounds again. As Federal Law Enforcement Officers we go under the most intense background checks any one can imagine. If our backgrounds don't clear we don't work.
Bob
September 8, 2007, 12:09pm (report abuse)I don't think we should look at this as just another opportunity to carry a gun. We need to look at the calabur of inmates that we now dealing with. They are more aggressive and are willing to do whatever they can to prove their point to include going after your family. This law is more than allowing BOP staff to carry to and from work but will give harsher sentence to inmates and their cohorts that have gone after your family trying to prevent you from doing your job. It is also an opportunity for the Government to place more LEO on the street. A promise never fulfilled. Having more people in uniform carrying firearms certainly would be a deterrent.
J.L
October 7, 2007, 7:02pm (report abuse)As a BOP officer in New York City I take public transportation to and from work because on my pay I cannot afford a car. Due to current BOP policy I am unable to bring my firearm to work because the executive staff of the BOP care nothing about my safety. When going home from work late at night on the subway I am at grave risk of being murdered by a ex-con or family member of a ex-con. They all have weapons to be sure but since I follow the law I'm am opening myself to grave danger. I live in a area of Brooklyn that many gang members and ex-cons inhabit. I am at risk every time I travel to and from work due to the total indifference by the BOP. Please pass this bill for BOP officers in New York City. We deserve protection from the constant threat we live with due to the nature of our jobs. We should not have to roll the dice with our life every time we go to work.
Don't let a officer lose his life
October 23, 2007, 9:24am (report abuse)hi! i work for bop there are alot of inmates that i see on the street because they live where i live.their's alot of inmates that would like to see one get hurt or kill because they feel it's our fought they got lock up.since we can't get paid like the director some of us can't live in good places.We deserve the right to protect us and our family please.
A.C.
November 23, 2007, 9:39am (report abuse)As long as the LEOSA ACT is in place the BOP does reserve the rigt to carry firarms its just the BOP is not backing us up as a condition of employment to carry, read the LEOSA ACT the BOP is listed as one of the Federal Agencies that do qualify under LEOSA just rememeber if you pull the trigger just have administrative law legitgation lawyer on stand by, just in case you suffer a back lashing from the agency
A.C.
November 23, 2007, 9:51am (report abuse)Another thing if a state or local law enforcement officers was to ask you is this a condition of employment to carry you will say no, but under LEOSA I can carry firearms, saying that this is a condition of my employment will get you fired from the agency just be real careful of your wording when being question by local and state law enforcement.
J.S
December 17, 2007, 1:44pm (report abuse)I fully support this bill! I too work in a Fed Prison, and our inmates visitors park in the same parking lot as the officers do, so if the inmate was to he could have his family wait till you get out and find out what car you drive then, if they have the ability run your plate and find out where you live. I would like to see a block on our plates also, that way when its run they only see "law Enforcement"
To all my brothers out there be safe and go home the same way you came in.
Ed
December 28, 2007, 7:48pm (report abuse)There is no question that times have changed in our great country and when putting in perspective crime committed in the U.S. with no doubt there continues to be an increase including violent crimes otherwise the Federal and State governments would not continue to build more prisons because of overcrowding. As a BOP officer I feel strongly that it is time that we are given the right to protect ourselves and our love ones if deemed necessary, for God's sake most private security guards are given that right to carry their firearms to and from work and are less then half as qualified then our BOP officers. Take the firearms away from criminals not from qualified law enforcement officers and law abiding citizens.
Will
December 30, 2007, 8:37pm (report abuse)I am a current BOP Officer and I thinkits sad that the federal government will not allow firearms to and from work and when i worked for the state of florida we were allowed to carry firearms and long as we secured it in a LOCK-BOX in our vehicles while we were not in the vehicle. I would even be in support of the BOP allowing us to travel with it in a lock box. then at least we would still be able to have it handy in emergency situations. Then that would solve the issue of where to secure it and we wouldnt even have to bring it into the instution.
FOP active member
January 28, 2008, 7:43am (report abuse)The FOP supports this bill....every BOP law enforcement officer should write their congressman and let them know that this bill is needed!
Jose Plaja
February 1, 2008, 7:08pm (report abuse)I am in full support of this bill passing. This country needs more Law-Enforcement Officers on the streets.
FOP Active Member #2
February 1, 2008, 7:15pm (report abuse)FOP staff is in full support of this bill. This Bill will show support to all BOP Law-Enforcement Officers.
FOP Active Member# 3
February 1, 2008, 8:15pm (report abuse)As a federal correction officer we should be allowed to carry our firearms to and from work and I think the BOP should stop saying that the BOP does allow us to carry off duty since the president of the united states but into law that federal correction officers are allowed to carry off duty.
RF
February 1, 2008, 9:39pm (report abuse)I don't agree with the BOP not supporting the H.R. 218 that the President of the United States signed. I am for this Law being that it is for the safety of all Correctional Staff and it will put more Officers on the streets to protect the public. We work with inmates of all kinds and if the BOP had it's way we will be on our own was we depart the grounds of the BOP. I am in full support of this law being passed for the Amercian people.
D.R.
February 1, 2008, 9:47pm (report abuse)We as correction officers sometimes encounter bad situations with inmates at the work place. These inmates can easily hold grudges against us. We are in a information age,where you can find anyones personal information online. This is just one reason why I agree with this bill.
J Lopez
February 2, 2008, 3:24am (report abuse)We a correction officer sometimes encounter bad situations. Carrying a gun will make us safe.
C.A
February 2, 2008, 6:09am (report abuse)I support bill H.R 2325
C. Forte
February 3, 2008, 6:52pm (report abuse)The world is a small place and we as human beings aren't perfect. We WILL see some of these offenders again. Some PEOPLE hold grudges. It may be something personal or it could just be the fact that, "you were in a uniform when I was in cackies". We as LEO NEED to be armed for PERSONAL PROTECTION.
Unfortunately, some of the residence here are REPEAT offenders. That is to say, given the opportunity, they WILL offend AGAIN.
Raymond
February 4, 2008, 6:43pm (report abuse)We as Correctional Officers perform a job everyday where we put our lifes on the line inside the walls and fences of the prisons all over this great country. We should be out there writing and calling our elected officals and remind them that we the American people are the ones that have giving them the job that they have. We should have the right to carry both to and from work and to store our weapons with a secured area of the prison. As we all know the LEOSA was signed into law giving us the power and right to carry off duty. We work in a place where the ones that we are required to protect while they are in our custody are the same ones that if given the chance on the outside would not look twice to try and hurt us or our family. Also with us being authorized to carry to and from work will also as many have already stated put more officers on the street to help our fellow brothers and sisters out.
Raymond
February 4, 2008, 6:58pm (report abuse)As the law states the time for any act against a LEO or his/her family member has increased but this will only happen if we as the people that the bill is there for let the ones in Washington that are going to vote it know how we feel. If we were to come across a situation with one of our brothers or sister in trouble would it not be better to be able to stop and help them then to read about another officer getting killed in the line of duty. Just remember that we are the ones that need to write the letters and make the phone calls to express our supoort of this bill. If you look back you will find that other bills in the past have been left to die in committee so do what you feel is right but if you just post your comments here and do not follow up with letters or phone calls then your words will fall on deaf ears.
FatKat
February 14, 2008, 6:00pm (report abuse)When will the BOP wake up and smell the coffee? For the safety of the staff I strongly suggest this bill passes. The legal begals within the agency are behind us when we do the "right thing", but when we screw up they forget who we are and where we come from.....
Ghost
February 19, 2008, 5:08am (report abuse)I agree about each 007's safety, but disagree about them carrying a firearm. The only LE function they have is contained within the facility, or in extreme cases when a prisoner escapes. The training that 1811 receive is much more attuned to non-prison environments. Maybe H.R.2325 will help out 007s in the future, but if you try and carry under the LEOSA of 2004, you are placing yourself at risk, especially if your agency does not support it. LEOSA was mainly enacted for non-federal police to carry across different jurisdictions/states, etc. As a true 1811 there are no such carry restrictions. The BOP can dictate who can carry under LEOSA and where. As BOP officers you have no statutory arrest authority outside of your institution.
Paul
February 22, 2008, 12:03am (report abuse)Negative Ghost before you post you need to know the law. Federal Correctional Officers can carry under Leosa. H.R. 2325 is not about giving us the right to carry we already have that right its about forcing the BOP to allow us to bring our firearms onto BOP property. When Leosa was passsed the BOP decided to make policys that would infringe on our right to carry off duty under Leosa . HR 2325 will force the BOP to comply with Leosa in its entirety not just some of the law. And just for your info Ghost BOP Correctional Officers do have arrest authority you need to read title 18 before you post their is no escuse for ignorance.
LC
March 3, 2008, 9:39am (report abuse)I work in a major city and I take public transportation my institution does not have weapons lockers, it would be nice if I was able to take my firearm with me to and from work. I would feel a lot safer knowing I had some form of protection.
FF
June 29, 2008, 12:50pm (report abuse)Correctional Officer should carry firearms. Correctional workers should not.
bop leo
September 10, 2008, 3:50am (report abuse)im sorry for not knowing the law but the bop does not want us to carry a weapon off i am very confused as to why . If there are laws that say that i can carry were can i find them once again they do not want to share that info with anyone were can i get it
T. Weaver
October 9, 2008, 3:15pm (report abuse)I believe that ALL Law Enforcement Officers should be allowed to carry off duty, whether you have statutory powers of arrest abroad or at an institution. The lives of ALL Law Enforcement Officers and their families could be in danger. It doesn't matter whether you are an 1811 or an 0007. A criminals weapon doesn't care which you are.
co aj
December 16, 2008, 9:53am (report abuse)96% of inmates will be back on streets. how will corrections officers defend them selves and thier families when this happens. corrections officers should carry off duty; thats how