A bill to create national reciprocity for the concealed carry of firearms was introduced in the Senate this week, one day after a similar measure was introduced in the House of Representatives.
The legislation, known as the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, would allow individuals with concealed carry privileges in their home state to carry guns in the same manner in any other state with concealed carry laws.
Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas, Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Thom Tillis, R-N.C., and Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, sponsored the bill.
"The Lone Star State has long championed our Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms, and gun owners in Texas and across the country should not have that fundamental right violated when they cross state lines," Cornyn said. "This legislation would reduce unnecessary burdens for law-abiding citizens and allow them to carry a concealed firearm in every state that permits it, and I'm grateful for the overwhelming support from my fellow Republican colleagues on this commonsense bill."
The measure would also treat state-issued concealed carry permits like drivers' licenses, where individuals can use the license issued by their home state to drive in another state but must respect the other state's speed limits or traffic laws.
It also protects the sovereignty of states by not establishing a national standard for concealed carry.
"Responsible gun owners shouldn't have to jump through hoops to exercise their constitutional right when visiting other concealed carry states," Grassley said. "This bill would reduce confusion and legal inconsistencies for law-abiding Americans, while also respecting states' rights to set their own laws."
In the House, Rep. Richard Hudson, R-N.C., introduced legislation by the same name on Wednesday, writing on X, "Our 2A right does NOT disappear when crossing invisible state lines & my bipartisan bill guarantees that."
"Looking forward to working with President Trump to get HR 38 signed into law!" Hudson added.
President-elect Donald Trump takes office at noon on Jan. 20 and, according to video of Trump posted by son Donald Trump Jr. on Instagram, seems likely to sign concealed carry reciprocity legislation if it makes it to his desk.
"I will protect the right of self-defense everywhere it is under siege and I will sign concealed carry reciprocity," Trump said in footage from Nov. 10. "Your Second Amendment does not end at the state line."