The Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) became federal law on July 22, 2004. Originally introduced as House Resolution 218 (H.R. 218) and codified within the provisions of The Gun Control Act of 1968 as Chapter 44, Title 18 of the United States Code, §§ 926B and 926C, LEOSA defines two classes of law enforcement officers -- currently serving and retired/separated officers.
The National Defense Authorization Act of 2013 expanded the LEOSA coverage to include individuals who are, or were, authorized to apprehend under Article 7b of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Under the provisions of the LEOSA, qualified active, retired, and separated law enforcement officers may carry a concealed firearm that has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce.
United States Code Chapter 44, Title 18, Section 926 C allows qualified active and retired law enforcement officers (military and civilian) to carry concealed firearms, but the law is not intended to “supersede or limit the laws of any State that — (1) permit private persons or entities to prohibit or restrict the possession of concealed firearms on their property; or (2) prohibit or restrict the possession of firearms on any State or local government property, installation, building, base, or park.”
United States Code Chapter 44, Title 18, Section 930 states that possession of firearms and dangerous weapons in federal facilities (i.e. military installations) is prohibited although the law does not apply to the lawful performance of official duties by “an officer, agent, or employee of the United States, a State, or a political subdivision thereof, who is authorized by law” … to possess a firearm.
Installation Commanding Officers (or 0-6/GS-15 in the chain of command) are responsible for endorsing law enforcement officers (LEO) applications and for determining whether or not to allow firearms to be in possession on their installations or activities.