The Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) exempts a “qualified retired law enforcement officer” carrying an active LEOSA photographic identification card from most state and local permitting and carry laws with certain restrictions and exceptions.
Qualified retired State Troopers must attend a training course to receive their LEOSA identification card. There is a maximum of 15 people per session. You will be allowed to qualify with up to two (2) handguns if you are scheduled for a morning session and one (1) handgun if assigned for the afternoon session. Attendees will provide their own eye and ear (hearing) protection.
No ammunition is allowed in the LEOSA classroom.
Whether for initial certification or re-certification, once you successfully complete the program, which includes mandatory classroom in-service, you will be provided with a photo identification indicating your successful firearms qualification. This photo identification will list the make, model, serial number of the handgun with which you qualified. This identification card is valid for one year.
- No LEOSA card will be issued to any retiree who is employed as an active law enforcement officer.
- A letter of “Good Standing” will be required from all police departments where retiree was employed.
- CSP reserves the right to deny admittance to any retiree.
- This program is discretionary and CSP reserves the right to modify the policy at anytime.
- You will receive no notification regarding the expiration of your credentials. It is your responsibility to attend recertification training next year.
Disclaimer
The State of Connecticut and the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection assume no liability by issuing this authorization. Retired personnel are reminded that, as a retired Connecticut State Trooper , they possess no official authority to act on behalf of the State of Connecticut or the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection in any law enforcement capacity whatsoever. The Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004, and the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act Improvements Act of 2010, provides no authority for anyone to act in the capacity of a law enforcement official.
How to apply
First-time qualifying individuals who desire the authority provided by LEOSA to carry a concealed firearm nationwide must:
- Email SLFU.LEOSA@ct.gov to schedule your date prior to filling out your application.
- Letter/s of Good Standing from all of the departments you worked for.
- A valid Connecticut Permit to Carry Pistols and Revolvers.
- A completed application.
- A Release and Indemnification form.
Please get all documents to us prior to your appointment.
How to recertify
If you are attending LEOSA for recertification, YOU MUST:
- Complete the application
- Complete a "Release and Indemnification" form
- Email SLFU.LEOSA@ct.gov to schedule your date and attach the fully completed AND notarized application & release and indemnification.
Please get all documents to us prior to your scheduled range date.
LEOSA training dates
The Connecticut State Police Firearms Training Unit will conduct training sessions for retired CSP and retired out-of-state police officers now residing in Connecticut, on the following dates:
- January 4th, 8:00am and 12:00pm
- February 7th, 8:00am and 12:00pm
- March 7th, 8:00am and 12:00pm
- April 12th, 8:00am and 12:00pm
- May 2nd, 8:00am and 12:00pm
- May 3rd, 8:00am and 12:00pm
- June 6th, 8:00am and 12:00pm
- July 12th, 8:00am and 12:00pm
- August 1st, 8:00am and 12:00pm
- September 6th, 8:00am and 12:00pm
- October 4th, 8:00am and 12:00pm
- November 1st, 8:00am and 12:00pm
- December 5th, 8:00am and 12:00pm
o set up an appointment
- Please Email: SLFU.LEOSA@ct.gov
The Range is located at 100 Nod Road, Simsbury, CT 06089
LEOSA training course requirements
The following handguns are approved for this program:
- Pistols: double-action or SINGLE-ACTION SEMI-AUTO PISTOLS
- Caliber: .380, .40, .45ACP, .357 SIG, 9mm and 10mm
- Revolvers: double-action revolvers. NO SINGLE ACTION REVOLVERS
- Caliber: .38, .357, 9mm and .45ACP
Qualification will be conducted using the holster that you will be carrying your firearm in.
All handguns and holsters will be inspected by CSP FTU personnel to ensure they meet manufacturers specifications. Mechanical and/or safety defects will result in the firearm being rejected. Only "factory" ammunition (ie., Remington, Federal, Winchester, CCI, etc.) will be utilized for qualification and that same ammunition will be carried in the handgun upon successful completion of the program. No re-loads or hand-loaded ammunition is allowed. Each attendee will need a minimum of 100 rds. of ammunition for his/her handgun. The assessment course requires each attendee to fire one (1) qualification run of 80% or better, to establish safety and proficiency. (Qualification is 40 or better out of 50 rounds fired).
If you are qualifying with a semi-auto pistol, in addition to ammunition you will need:
- Minimum of two (2) magazines for the pistol
- Magazine pouch
- A range appropriate holster that secures pistol without threat of falling out. Shooter must be able to draw and re-holster with one hand without holster collapsing on itself. For safety, no cheap nylon or leather, inside-the-pants holsters. Contact the FTU 860-658-1925, if you are not sure about the suitability of your equipment.
- Eye and hearing protection.
If you are qualifying with a revolver, in addition to ammunition you will need:
- Minimum of two (2) speed-loaders for the revolver. No loading of loose rounds from pocket.
- peed-loader pouch
- A range appropriate holster that secures pistol without threat of falling out. Shooter must be able to draw and re-holster with one hand without holster collapsing on itself. For safety, no cheap nylon or leather, inside-the-pants holsters. Contact the FTU 860-658-1925, if you are not sure about the suitability of your equipment.
Appropriate clothing should be worn, long pants, long sleeve shirt, hat with brim, sturdy footwear, etc... Shorts, sandals, dress shoes, bare feet are not allowed. Any unsafe behavior or violation of safety rules will result in immediate dismissal from the program.
About the 60-round assessment course
The yardage lines utilized are the 3, 5, 7,10,12, and 20-yard line. There are no time limits for this qualification course. Therefore, the time is given to each shooter to apply the fundamentals of shooting for each shot. Passing score for this course of fire is 48 out of a possible 60.
If the participant should fail the qualification course, they would need to return on a different date to qualify.
What could be grounds of dismissal or denial of the LEOSA Program
- Attitude and demeanor towards staff or other members
- Unsafe weapon handling
- Failure to attend the program in its entirety
- Failure to attend on scheduled date
- Failure to follow direction
- Failure to submit paperwork in a timely manner
- Failure to follow any and all rules, regulations, statutes
Forms and documents
- Retiree Concealed Handgun Carry Authorization Application
- Release & Indemnification
- Bulletin: Blackhawk SERPA Holster no longer accepted effective 7/29/22 (PDF)
You can also find all the paperwork relevant to SLFU on the Special Licensing and Firearms Forms and Documents page.