Community Protection Act of 1998

Community Protection Act of 1998 - Amends the Federal criminal code to authorize qualified law enforcement officers carrying the official badge and photographic identification issued by the governmental agency for which the individual is employed as a law enforcement officer, notwithstanding State or local laws, to carry a concealed firearm that has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce.

Specifies that this Act shall not be construed to supersede or limit the laws of any State that: (1) permit private persons or entities to prohibit or restrict the possession of concealed firearms on their property; or (2) prohibit or restrict the possession of firearms on any State or local government property, installation, building, base, or park.

(Sec. 3) Sets forth similar provisions authorizing qualified retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms notwithstanding State or local laws.

(Sec. 4) Allows the interstate carrying of concealed firearms by lawful license or permit holders, notwithstanding State residency requirements and subject to specified conditions, including that: (1) the person is not prohibited by Federal law from possessing, transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm; (2) the firearm has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce; and (3) the State is designated as a Class I ("shall-issue") State, or a Class II ("discretionary issue") State and meets specified requirements.

Directs the Attorney General to: (1) designate a State as Class I if the State is required to issue a license or permit to carry a concealed firearm to any person who meets criteria established in law or regulation; (2) designate a State as Class II if the State is authorized but not required to issue such a license or permit; (3) redesignate States, within seven days after being informed of any change in law which warrants the redesignation of a State, and publish notice of the redesignation in the Federal Register; and (4) commence an ongoing and regular compilation of all State (and where applicable, Federal) laws relating to the lawful carrying of concealed firearms by private citizens, and annually publish it for public use.