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New FAA Rules regarding armed law enforcement officers who desire to carry weapons on aircraft.

June 29, 2000

On June 9, 2000, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) provided new rules regarding armed law enforcement officers who desire to carry weapons past airport pre-board screening/security checkpoints. Effective June 12, 2000, the following FAA rules will apply to all armed LEO who wish to carry firearms into airport sterile/secure areas:

If an armed federal, state or local law enforcement officer/agent (FSLLEO) wishes to enter an airport sterile area for any reason, the FSLLEO must present his or her credentials and badge to an Airport Law Enforcement Officer (ALEO), at the pre-board screening checkpoint, to determine if the credentials appear to be official.

If the ALEO determines that the credentials and badge appear to be official, the ALEO will inform the pre-board screening checkpoint supervisor of the determination before the air carrier may permit the armed FSLLEO to proceed into the sterile area.

In addition to the above, personnel at the pre-board screening checkpoint will require the armed FSLLEO to provide the following information to the screening supervisor:

  • Armed LEO’s full name, as it appears on the credentials.
  • Badge/credential number.
  • Department agency name.
  • Address and phone number of the LEO’s assigned duty station.
  • If flying, air carrier name and flight number.
  • Armed LEO’s signature.

    • If an armed FSLLEO is planning to fly, there are additional, more stringent, FAA rules which apply. It is recommended that your agency contact the FAA or air carrier for a list of those rules.

    Please understand the above rules are mandated by the FAA and Airport Police Departments nationwide have no alternative except to enforce them. It is suggested that you ask officers not to carry firearms past airport pre-board screening checkpoints, unless there is a valid law enforcement reason to do so.

    The above information supplied by Thomas N. Shehan, Chief of Police, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.