Title 2The CongressRelease 119-73not60

§5605 Law Enforcement Authority of Sergeant at Arms

Title 2 › Chapter 55— HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OFFICERS AND ADMINISTRATION › Subchapter VIII— SERGEANT AT ARMS › § 5605

Last updated Apr 3, 2026|Official source

Summary

Allows the House Sergeant at Arms to have the same powers as Capitol Police, including carrying a firearm, only if they meet three qualifications: five years' law‑enforcement experience; valid firearms certification from the federal or an equivalent non‑federal agency; and any Capitol Police firearms qualification. The Committee on House Oversight can make rules to implement this.

Full Legal Text

Title 2, §5605

The Congress — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)The Sergeant at Arms of the House of Representatives shall have the same law enforcement authority, including the authority to carry firearms, as a member of the Capitol Police. The law enforcement authority under the preceding sentence shall be subject to the requirement that the Sergeant at Arms have the qualifications specified in subsection (b).
(b)The qualifications referred to in subsection (a) are the following:
(1)A minimum of five years of experience as a law enforcement officer before beginning service as the Sergeant at Arms.
(2)Current certification in the use of firearms by the appropriate Federal law enforcement entity or an equivalent non-Federal entity.
(3)Any other firearms qualification required for members of the Capitol Police.
(c)The Committee on House Oversight of the House of Representatives shall have authority to prescribe regulations to carry out this section.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Codification Section was formerly classified as a note under section 78 of this title prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

Committee on House Oversight of House of Representatives changed to Committee on House Administration of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 5, One Hundred Sixth Congress, Jan. 6, 1999.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

2 U.S.C. § 5605

Title 2The Congress

Last Updated

Apr 3, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60