Title 2 — The CongressRelease 119-73not60

§6617 Law Enforcement Authority of Sergeant-at-arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate

Title 2 › Chapter 65— SENATE OFFICERS AND ADMINISTRATION › Subchapter III— SERGEANT AT ARMS AND DOORKEEPER OF SENATE › Part B— General Powers and Duties › § 6617

Last updated Apr 3, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Senate Sergeant-at-Arms and Doorkeeper have the same police powers as a Capitol Police officer, including the ability to carry firearms, but only if they meet set qualifications. They must have at least 5 years of prior law enforcement experience, hold current firearms certification from the proper federal agency or an equivalent non-federal agency, and meet any other firearms standards required of Capitol Police members. The Senate Committee on Rules and Administration can make rules to put these requirements into effect.

Full Legal Text

Title 2, §6617

The Congress — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)The Sergeant-at-Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate 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 and Doorkeeper of the Senate have the qualifications specified in subsection (b).

(b)The qualifications referred to in subsection (a) are the following:

(1)A minimum of 5 years of experience as a law enforcement officer before beginning service as the Sergeant-at-Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate.

(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 Rules and Administration of the Senate shall have authority to prescribe regulations to carry out this section.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Codification Section was formerly classified to section 61f–14 of this title prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

2 U.S.C. § 6617

Title 2 — The Congress

Last Updated

Apr 3, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60