Secret Service question

[Pro2A]

How does the SS carry in countries to protect the president like China, Singapore, Japan and England that otherwise prohibit firearms?

I can understand how this works in the US with LEOSA... but I never understood how they do it in foreign nations. Like when Clinton went to N. Korea... how did the SS keep him safe?

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Der Alte]

I think you will find that an agreement is worked prior to the trip that allows the SS to carry. At least thats the way it was when I worked with the SS.

[rolyat63]

How does the SS carry in countries to protect the president like China, Singapore, Japan and England that otherwise prohibit firearms?

I can understand how this works in the US with LEOSA... but I never understood how they do it in foreign nations. Like when Clinton went to N. Korea... how did the SS keep him safe?

It's all part of that diplomatic reciprocity thing. Just like diplomats and other State Dept personnel get varying degree of a free pass by pullinf their diplomatics status credentials. In a sense like Air Force Once or other US Military aircraft they are sovereign US territory so the "envelope" of the US extends to them (people or crafts).

[retsupt99]

The President isn't going anywhere that he is not surrounded by HUNDREDS of guns...HUNDREDS!

[SIXTO]

And LEOSA has nothing to do with them being able to carry inside our own borders.

[Pro2A]

And LEOSA has nothing to do with them being able to carry inside our own borders.

Care to elaborate?

[TheGreatGonzo]

There are varying agreements in place, but any further detail than that would get into OPSEC issues. Suffice it to see that those things are handled at the highest level of diplomatic channels. Federal Air Marshals go through similar channels when they work overseas flights.
Gonzo

[TheGreatGonzo]

Care to elaborate?

LEOSA was created for local and state officers whose credentials and law enforcement authority (and, thus, their authority to carry firearms) was limited to the state where they are sworn. Federal Agents/Officers carry their jurisdiction with them wherever they go (like a turtle with its shell), so their authority to carry firearms is not limited by the States. We carry on the authority of our credentials wherever we go in the US, and don't rely on LEOSA. This would especially apply to Agents who are actively engaged in duties, such as USSS Agents working a detail.
Gonzo

[SIXTO]

Care to elaborate?

No, not really. Otherwise I would have done so already.

Luckily though, Gonzo did a fine job for me.

[buckeye .45]

While slightly off topic, for the military a Status of Forces agreement is made between the US government and foreign governments when we will be carrying in a country where the host nation wants us (obviously when we invade someone there isn't really an agreement).

I would imagine things are worked out at a high diplomatic level for the Secret Service kind of thing. And I'd imagine that it would go both ways with the security details for foreign heads of state, but that is just speculation.

[Agave]

It goes along with diplomatic immunity. We offer the same courtesy to the employees of foreign VIPs.

[semperfi.45]

I just read In the President's Secret Service. They go as far as to hide them in the vehicles when they're transported.

Good read, check it out.

[SIXTO]

I just read In the President's Secret Service. They go as far as to hide them in the vehicles when they're transported.

Good read, check it out.

Huh, looks like a interesting book. I'll put it on my Christmas list.

[Rotorblade]

So....what if a foreign leader comes to the US to meet with our President. I can't imagine our SS would allow their SS around our President with firearms???????

[paramedic70002]

Or allow some untrained thugs to carry while protecting a third world dictator.