Senator John Cornyn of Texas has just introduced a new bill that could change the way concealed carry permits work across the country. On Thursday, Cornyn introduced the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, a bill that would allow holders of concealed carry permits to carry their firearms in any state.
This bill, as Cornyn explains, would make it so that all states recognize concealed carry permits from other states. That means if you’re licensed to carry a concealed firearm in one state, you’d be able to do so in every other state that allows concealed carry. Cornyn’s move follows a similar bill introduced last year in the House by Rep. Richard Hudson, and with Republicans now holding majorities in both chambers of Congress, this bill has a strong chance of passing.
The bill is getting plenty of support from Republicans and gun rights groups. President-elect Donald Trump has also spoken out in favor of it, further adding weight to the bill’s momentum. Cornyn shared his thoughts, saying, “The Lone Star State has always supported our Second Amendment rights, and Texans and all Americans shouldn’t lose their right to carry a concealed firearm just because they cross state lines. This bill will remove unnecessary hurdles for law-abiding citizens.”
In fact, Cornyn is not alone in backing this bill. He has been joined by fellow Texas Senator Ted Cruz, Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, and many other Republican lawmakers. Nearly 20 major gun advocacy organizations, like the National Rifle Association (NRA) and Gun Owners of America (GOA), are backing the bill as well.
However, the bill hasn’t been without criticism. Some worry that it could force states to accept concealed carry permits from individuals who might not meet local standards, making it harder for states to verify out-of-state permits. Democratic Senator Mark Warner from Virginia expressed concerns about this, especially given the current state of gun violence in the country.
Even though the bill has sparked debate, it’s clear that it’s a major topic of discussion in the ongoing national conversation about gun rights. Gun rights advocates, like John Commerford from the NRA, argue that the bill would remove the confusing patchwork of state laws, ensuring that the right to self-defense is protected no matter where you are in the country.
With so many people keeping an eye on this bill, it seems like the debate over concealed carry laws is far from over!
