Law Enforcement Alliance of America
Encyclopedia
The Law Enforcement Alliance of America (LEAA) is a non-profit, non-partisan, conservative gun rights corporation in the United States
, headquartered just outside of Washington, D.C. in Springfield, Virginia
. Its membership is composed of active duty and retired law enforcement officers, crime victims, and other interested civilian
s. The organization is active on many educational and political fronts, including:
LEAA publishes a magazine, Shield and a newsletter, "The LEAA Advisor". It works to highlight incidents of civilian self-defense like that in which Harry Beckwith interrupted seven criminals in the process of stealing firearms from his gun store, ensuring six of them could be safely arrested by police.
The Law Enforcement Alliance of America is recognized by the United States Treasury Department as a non-profit organization under IRS Code Section 501 (c)(4). Due to LEAA’s legislative activities, contributions to LEAA are not tax-deductible as a donation or business expense. Dues and contributions are not refundable.
The organization is also a "Stealth PAC," funneling corporate monies into state judicial elections. The organization was sued in TX in 2002 for failing to disclose campaign contributors http://www.stealthpacs.org/notebook/page.cfm?pageid=20
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The group was also very active in unseating West Virginia Supreme Court Justice Warren Maag.
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In 2004 the LEAA got most of its money from Massey Energy CEO, Don Blankenship, who had said in numerous interviews that he would do "whatever it takes," to get rid of Maag. It is also suspected that the organization has taken in large contributions from other interests groups interested in stacking state Supreme Courts with pro-business justices (see U.S. Chamber of Commerce).
In 2002, LEAA spent $1.5 - 2 million to air ads against Democratic candidate Kirk Watson
's bid for Texas Attorney General
. At the same time, they spent money in support of two other Democratic candidates' bids for the Texas State Legislature, one of whom was Mike Head. In 2003, Watson and Head filed a complaint in state court, accusing LEAA of using corporate funds in a political campaign in violation of Texas law. LEAA contends the ads were legal and did not coordinate directly with any candidate's campaign. Buck Wood, attorney for the plaintiffs, expects to pursue the litigation in federal court.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, headquartered just outside of Washington, D.C. in Springfield, Virginia
Springfield, Virginia
Springfield is a census-designated place in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States and a suburb of Washington, D.C. The Springfield CDP is recognized by the U.S. Census Bureau with a population of 30,484 as of the 2010 census. Homes and businesses in bordering CDPs including North Springfield,...
. Its membership is composed of active duty and retired law enforcement officers, crime victims, and other interested civilian
Civilian
A civilian under international humanitarian law is a person who is not a member of his or her country's armed forces or other militia. Civilians are distinct from combatants. They are afforded a degree of legal protection from the effects of war and military occupation...
s. The organization is active on many educational and political fronts, including:
- explaining and defending police practices to include police 'use of force'
- supporting and expanding Federal legislation to allow off-duty and retired LEO's to have concealed carryConcealed carryConcealed carry, or CCW , refers to the practice of carrying a handgun or other weapon in public in a concealed manner, either on one's person or in proximity.-In Canada:...
- supporting and promoting self-defense, including the right of civilian concealed carryConcealed carryConcealed carry, or CCW , refers to the practice of carrying a handgun or other weapon in public in a concealed manner, either on one's person or in proximity.-In Canada:...
- strengthening laws to punish violent criminals and deter crime
- supporting the Death Penalty
- unmasking and opposing efforts to support 'Gun Control' as effective 'Crime Control'
LEAA publishes a magazine, Shield and a newsletter, "The LEAA Advisor". It works to highlight incidents of civilian self-defense like that in which Harry Beckwith interrupted seven criminals in the process of stealing firearms from his gun store, ensuring six of them could be safely arrested by police.
The Law Enforcement Alliance of America is recognized by the United States Treasury Department as a non-profit organization under IRS Code Section 501 (c)(4). Due to LEAA’s legislative activities, contributions to LEAA are not tax-deductible as a donation or business expense. Dues and contributions are not refundable.
The organization is also a "Stealth PAC," funneling corporate monies into state judicial elections. The organization was sued in TX in 2002 for failing to disclose campaign contributors http://www.stealthpacs.org/notebook/page.cfm?pageid=20
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The group was also very active in unseating West Virginia Supreme Court Justice Warren Maag.
+
-
In 2004 the LEAA got most of its money from Massey Energy CEO, Don Blankenship, who had said in numerous interviews that he would do "whatever it takes," to get rid of Maag. It is also suspected that the organization has taken in large contributions from other interests groups interested in stacking state Supreme Courts with pro-business justices (see U.S. Chamber of Commerce).
In 2002, LEAA spent $1.5 - 2 million to air ads against Democratic candidate Kirk Watson
Kirk Watson
Kirk Watson is a Texas attorney and Democratic politician from Austin. He served as Austin mayor from 1997 to 2001. He ran unsuccessfully for Texas Attorney General in the 2002 election, defeated by the Republican Greg Abbott...
's bid for Texas Attorney General
Attorney General
In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general, or attorney-general, is the main legal advisor to the government, and in some jurisdictions he or she may also have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions.The term is used to refer to any person...
. At the same time, they spent money in support of two other Democratic candidates' bids for the Texas State Legislature, one of whom was Mike Head. In 2003, Watson and Head filed a complaint in state court, accusing LEAA of using corporate funds in a political campaign in violation of Texas law. LEAA contends the ads were legal and did not coordinate directly with any candidate's campaign. Buck Wood, attorney for the plaintiffs, expects to pursue the litigation in federal court.