Retired law enforcement and LEOSA

18 U.S.C. §926CReviewed August 11, 2026

The short answer

Under the federal Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act, a qualified retired law enforcement officer who meets the statute's conditions — including at least ten years of service or separation due to a service-connected disability, separation in good standing, and current annual firearms qualification — may carry a concealed firearm, subject to the statute's limits and to state laws on where carry is prohibited. New York's sensitive-location statute separately exempts qualified retired law enforcement officers.

01The federal authority

The final clause is the one that matters in New York City. LEOSA authorizes carry; it does not override state rules about where carry is prohibited. Those rules are the sensitive-location statute, and they operate independently.

Under the federal Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act, a qualified retired law enforcement officer who meets the statute's conditions — including at least ten years of aggregate service or separation due to a service-connected disability, separation in good standing, and current annual firearms qualification — may carry a concealed firearm, subject to the statute's limits and to state laws on where carry is prohibited.

Primary source18 U.S.C. §926CRead the source

02How New York treats it

Section 265.01-e(3) exempts qualified retired law enforcement officers from the sensitive-location offense.

Primary sourceN.Y. Penal Law §265.01-e(3)Read the source

Section 265.01-d(2) exempts qualified current and retired federal law enforcement officers under 18 U.S.C. §§926B–926C from the private-property provision.

Primary sourceN.Y. Penal Law §265.01-d(2)Read the source

Common questions

Can a retired police officer carry in New York City under LEOSA?

LEOSA authorizes a qualified retired officer meeting its conditions to carry concealed, subject to the statute's limits and to state law on prohibited places. New York's sensitive-location statute at §265.01-e(3) exempts qualified retired law enforcement officers.

What does LEOSA require to stay qualified?

Among other conditions: at least ten years of aggregate service or separation due to a service-connected disability, separation in good standing, and current annual firearms qualification. The statute sets out the full list.

Keep reading

Where you cannot carryWhere you cannot carry a firearm in New York City

New York bars carrying a firearm in twenty categories of 'sensitive location' — including government buildings, health care facilities, places of worship, schools, parks, libraries, public transit and the subway, bars, theaters and stadiums, polling places, protests, and Times Square.

Private propertyCarrying on private property in New York

New York's 'restricted locations' rule made it a class E felony to carry a firearm onto private property unless the owner affirmatively permitted it by signage or express consent — reversing the ordinary default.

License typesNew York handgun license types, explained

New York issues distinct handgun licenses.

Next step

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