Can police officers carry their gun with them when they are off duty, even on vacation?

Answer 1

Absolutely NOT! They can't carry weapons unless they are in full uniform! Gee-the second amendment must have escaped the asker....huh?

Answer 2

Once upon a time, the answer was no with some state exceptions. Now however, police officers from any state may carry anywhere in the U.S. thanks to a bill signed into law.

Officers should still contact local authorities and ask about rules regarding concealed carry, carrying in a vehicle, and about checking in with local departments if they're going to be in a specific area for an extended period of time.

Answer 3

To the best of my knowledge, most if not all police officers are on duty 24-7 so yes, they can carry at all times.

Answer 4

It depends on state law and agency policy.

While most states recognize that officers certified within their state may carry a concealed weapon, they do not always recognize that officers from OTHER states may do so. Recent federal legislation has attempted to rectify the situation and allow police officers from all states to carry into any other state regardless of state law, but this has yet to be tested in court ... though, I have read about no instance of a peace officer from one state being arrested in another state even after asserting the federal standard.

Some agencies specify when and where their officers may carry off duty. Some may prohibit off-duty carry outside the city/county/state or under certain circumstances (such as while drinking), while others may MANDATE off duty carry.

For me, I may carry anywhere in CA when I am off duty. I can carry in other states if I want to risk running afoul of those state's laws. However, I do not want to be the test case for the federal rule (sometimes fondly referred to as "HR 218") so I frequently do not carry when I travel out of CA.

- Carl

Answer 5

A U.S. Police Officer can carry legally anytime in the U.S.

There was federal law recently enacted that allows off-duty, even retired police officers to carry concealed weapons.

Remember that only applies to US...Not Canada or Mexico.

Answer 6

That depends. Usually within the state that the officer works and is authorized to carry a firearm, YES, s/he can, but usually does not have to. Officers have to use good judgement and are always governed by their department's policies, procedures, and one would hope, their good consciencious.

There is a new federal law that allows currently working (and some retired) officers to carry a firearm in any state in the nation. This law was passed for homeland security.

Answer 7

Yes, my husband carries his gun while off-duty, but he does make sure to carry proper police identification at all times also.

Answer 8

They can carry anytime, even in any other State.

The Federal Peace Officers Right to Carry Law gives them that ability and it overrides any State Law that prohibits it.

Except airplanes and Federal property.

Answer 9

Yes, under HR 218 LEO's are able to carry Nation wide if their department does the appropriate paperwork

Answer 10

Yes and with th new laws they may carry them anywhere, even accross state lines.

Most departments request or require thier officers to carry thier guns with them all the time.

Answer 11

think different depts have different rules, but my ex is a detective in a smaller city in NYS..he carried it off duty and came down to visit me in a different state a few years ago, he said he would had to notify the airlines in advance and show proof that he was a cop and was carrying his firearm