HR218 UPDATE

Rockland County is offering to train retirees in order to be in compliance with HR 218. The Rockland County range is presently closed so they can expand the facility to accommodate as many gun nuts, I mean retirees wanting to qualify under HR 218 as possible. To make it as easy as possible on Rockland (and knowing you're all ready to stampede the place) the Lodge will be setting up the appointments. Due to volume the Rockland County

range requests that you come in groups. If you have a group let us know who's in it. If you don't contact us, we'll get you into one. PLEASE e-mail us if possible (you know how I love answering a phone). I've been informed that we can't set up dates until the after the 2^nd week in January. The cost is $50 for I gun and $40 for each additional gun. A package explaining everything will be mailed to you after we make an appointment. The Rockland Academy will take you in as small a car pool group of three or four people. Presently Congress is working on the Law Enforcement Officers Protection Act (S3835). Besides setting mandatory minimum penalties for crimes against Federal Law Officers and judges and retaliatory attacks against their families it also limits suits against retirees who take action under HR 218. It also reduces the number of years as a law enforcement officer to qualify under HR 218 from 15 years to 10. These are important points but perhaps its most significant effect will be that states that refuse to set guidelines for retiree qualification under HR 218 will be that all that's needed is a photo ID. from your department (ID card), a photo ID from the state (such as a drivers license), a carry permit and proof that you qualified. With the new Congress this bill may be in trouble so write your Representatives AND Senators.

John Gallagher Pres. SI FOP120