Republican Texas Sen. John Cornyn introduced a bill Thursday that would allow concealed carry license holders to carry guns in any state.
The bill, titled the “Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act,” would force states to recognize concealed carry permits from all states as valid documentation to carry concealed firearms, according to the bill’s text. It’s a thing. There was a similar bill proposed It was passed in the House in 2023 by Republican North Carolina Rep. Richard Hudson with broad Republican support, making the bill’s chances of passage even better with Republican majorities in both chambers.
President-elect Donald Trump also spoke out. support Regarding laws regarding election campaigns.
“The Lone Star State has long championed the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms,” Cornyn said in a statement provided to the Daily Caller. Their fundamental rights should not be violated when they cross the border.” News Foundation. “This bill relieves law-abiding citizens of an unnecessary burden and allows them to carry concealed firearms in all states where they are allowed, and this common-sense bill has been challenged by my Republican colleagues.” We are grateful for the overwhelming support.”
Hudson also introduced his own bill in the new House of Representatives on Wednesday. According to On Fox News. He first introduced the bill in 2017 and has proposed the bill five times to date. According to In the Congressional Record.
Nearly 20 gun advocacy groups support the bill, including the National Rifle Association (NRA), Gun Owners Association of America (GOA), and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF). Other Republicans also joined Cornyn, including Republican Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, Republican Iowa Sen. Chuck Glassery, Republican North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, and 40 other Republican senators. .
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, attends a hearing at the Hart Senate Office Building on the Capitol Building in Washington, DC, on December 5, 2023. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Critics of concealed carry reciprocity argue that the law could allow states to carry guns for people who are not eligible to carry within the state, and that states could check the authenticity of out-of-state permits. states that there is a problem. According to Everytown for gun safety.
“Given the tragic rates of gun violence today, I simply cannot support efforts to further weaken our nation’s gun laws,” Democratic Virginia Sen. Mark Warner said in a statement. According to When Hudson proposed reciprocity for concealed carry in 2017, he told Politico: “That includes new efforts this Congress to loosen standards for issuing concealed carry permits or establish a national system that further erodes state-level concealed carry standards. ”
Cornyn would strengthen background checks on firearm purchases for people under 21 and fund state enforcement of red flag laws that allow law enforcement to confiscate guns from people they deem to be either: was key to the passage of the bipartisan Providing Safer Communities Act. They see citizens as a threat to themselves and others.
“On behalf of the millions of NRA members and law-abiding gun owners across the country, the National Rifle Association thanks Senator Cornyn for reintroducing the unconstitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act.” said John Comerford, executive director of the institute. said in a statement submitted to the DCNF. “This common sense solution corrects a confusing patchwork of state laws and ensures that the right to self-defense extends beyond state lines.”
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