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119-s-2993119th Congress

Protect Our Prosecutors and Judges Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Cotton, Tom [R-AR]

Introduced

Summary

Would expand concealed-carry authority for current and retired federal prosecutors, judges, and certain law enforcement officers. The bill would define who qualifies, what ID and recent firearms training they must show, and direct agencies to write the rules to implement the changes.

Show full summary
  • Current federal prosecutors and judges would be eligible to carry concealed firearms if they present agency-issued photographic ID and a certification that they meet active-duty firearms qualification standards or equivalent state standards.
  • Qualified retired prosecutors and retired federal judges would face higher recency, training, and mental-health requirements. They would need photographic proof of former status and certification showing they met active-duty qualification standards within the prior year.
  • The bill would keep current law enforcement terms, fold those officers into the expanded framework, and set a statutory firearms definition that excludes machineguns, silencers, and destructive devices. It would also include ammunition not banned by federal law or governed by the National Firearms Act and require the Attorney General and the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts to issue regulations and conforming updates to statute headings.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

More concealed carry for prosecutors and judges

If enacted, the bill would let certain current prosecutors and Federal judges carry concealed firearms under federal law. Retired prosecutors and retired Federal judges could also qualify if they left in good standing and meet service rules. Retirees generally must have 10 years of service (or separated for a service-connected disability) and pass a firearms test within the past 12 months at their own expense. To carry, people would need agency photographic ID and a certification showing they met active-duty firearms standards or an approved State/instructor test. The bill would bar carrying while intoxicated and disqualify those prohibited by Federal gun laws.

Agencies could write carry rules

If enacted, the Attorney General and the Director of the courts' administrative office would be able to issue rules to implement these changes. Those agencies could only make regulations necessary to carry out the bill's amendments.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Cotton, Tom [R-AR]

AR • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 10/27/2025

  • Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]

    TN • R

    Sponsored 1/12/2026

  • Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK]

    OK • R

    Sponsored 1/13/2026

  • Sen. Justice, James C. [R-WV]

    WV • R

    Sponsored 1/13/2026

  • Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 1/28/2026

  • Sen. Hawley, Josh [R-MO]

    MO • R

    Sponsored 2/10/2026

  • Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN]

    IN • R

    Sponsored 2/10/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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