U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) have joined Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) to reintroduce the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act.
Senate Bill 65 proposes that those who have concealed carry permits in their home state be able to exercise that right in any other concealed carry state, as long as the individual complies with the laws of the state they are in. Wicker and Hyde-Smith believe the measure is a logical one that would streamline a currently inefficient gun law system.
“Requiring gun owners to obtain multiple permits to cross state lines is simply wasteful and unnecessary,” Wicker said. “Throughout my time in Congress, I have supported Americans’ constitutional right to keep and bear arms. This commonsense legislation is another step in the right direction.”
“Whether you are driving or carrying concealed, the principle should be the same – your rights travel with you,” Hyde-Smith said. “This sensible, straightforward legislation will simplify the lives of responsible gun owners, bolster Second Amendment protections, and ensure that Americans can defend themselves where they are in the country.”
The Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act would effectively have the same carry-over power that driver’s licenses do in that carriers would be able to use their home-state concealed carry permit in other states, but would still be required to follow the host state’s specific laws such as different restrictions on where firearms can be carried.
“The bill respects state sovereignty by allowing states to continue setting their own rules without imposing a one-size-fits-all mandate from Washington,” a press release from Hyde-Smith’s camp reads.
42 other Republican senators cosponsored the bill, including Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.).
