Law Enforcement Safety Act

The LEOSA identification card is issued by the Harford County Sheriff’s Office to an individual who has been qualified as separating from a Maryland law enforcement agency.  This identification card is for separated law enforcement officer to carry a handgun under the provisions of LEOSA.

Where to Mail Attachments

Harford County Sheriff’s Office
45 South Main Street
Bel Air, Maryland

Attn: Training Academy

Who Should Apply?

The Harford County Sheriff’s Office provides State of Maryland Qualified Separated Law Enforcement Officers an identification card to carry a concealed handgun to those who have separated from Maryland law enforcement agencies.

Federal law defines a qualified separated law enforcement officer as an individual who:

  1. Separated in good standing from service with a public agency as a law enforcement officer;
  2. Before such separation, was authorized by law to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, investigation, or prosecution of, or the incarceration of any person for, any violation of law, and had statutory powers of arrest;
    1. before such retirement, served as a law enforcement officer for an aggregate of 10 years or more; or
    2. separated from service with such agency, after completing any applicable probationary period of such service, due to a service-connected disability, as determined by such agency;
  3. During the most recent 12-month period, has met, at the expense of the individual, the standards for qualification in firearms training for active law enforcement officers, as determined by the former agency of the individual, the State in which the individual resides or, if the State, and
  4. Has not been officially found by a qualified medical professional employed by the agency to be unqualified for reasons relating to mental health, and as a result of this finding, will not be issued the photographic identification as described; or
  5. Has not entered into an agreement with the agency from which that individual is separating from service in which that individual acknowledges he or she is not qualified for reasons relating to mental health, and for those reasons, will not receive or accept the photographic identification as described.
  6. Is not under the influence of alcohol or another intoxicating or hallucinatory drug or substance; and
  7. Is not prohibited by State and Federal law from receiving a firearm. 

In addition to the aforementioned qualifications, 18 U.S. Code §926B and §926C, requires that applicants possess a photographic identification issued by the governmental agency from which the individual separated from service as a law enforcement officer.

How To Apply

Please submit applications using the online form found HERE.

How Much Does It Cost?

The Harford County Sheriff’s Office does not charge a fee.

When Should I Renew?

The LEOSA identification card is valid for one year from the date the applicant met the active duty standards for firearms qualification for the same type as the concealed firearm to be carried, as established by the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission.

IT IS THE RE​SPONSIBILITY OF THE APPLICANT TO BE RE-QUALIFIED BY THE EXPIRATION DATE ON THE IDENTIFICATION CARD