Law Enforcement Officer's Safety Act resisted by Beavercreek Police Chief

The Dayton Daily News has reported on September 20 that Beavercreek Police Chief Arthur Scott is delaying the issuance of ID cards which are necessary for retired law-enforcement officers to exercise their new rights under House Resolution 218, the Law Enforcement Officer's Safety Act.

The federal law allows retired and off-duty officers to carry concealed guns
across state lines.

Retired officers told the DDN police officials are blocking their ability to carry the guns by not giving them identification. Jeff Phelps and Lee Edwards, both retired Beavercreek officers, said the
delay is offensive. They said retired officers can help protect their
communities and fight terrorism.

"A law has finally been passed that every cop in America has been waiting to
be passed for 10 years," Edwards told the newspaper. "We're just trying to exercise a
right the federal government has given us."

Jeff Klitch told the DDN his life was threatened hundreds of times during his 15 years as a Beavercreek police officer.

"They say, 'when I get out of jail, you are a dead man,' " said Klitch, who
retired in 1994. "I want to be able to protect myself. I want to be able to
protect my family. I want to be able to work in Beavercreek and drive
around. It's a shame that if I walk into a Cub
Foods or a Kmart and there is someone with a gun, I wouldn't be able to
assist the citizens of the community I live in."

Beavercreek's Scott said he's not a fan of badges or identification for
retired officers.

"I believe in the Second Amendment, but I don't really believe arming
retired cops is going to help society," he said.

Ultimately, Scott denied delaying the process, telling the DDN is simply proceeding with caution.

"I never told them I won't issue the (cards)," Beavercreek Police Chief
Arthur Scott told the Dayton Daily News. "I just don't understand the law."