NRA-Backed Concealed Carry Reciprocity Bill Picks Up Support in Both Chambers of Congress

NRA-Backed Concealed Carry Reciprocity Bill Picks Up Support in Both Chambers of Congress

Fairfax, Va. – Chris W. Cox, Executive Director of the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA), issued the following statement regarding the introduction of The Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2015, in the United States House of Representatives by Congressman Marlin Stutzman (IN-3):

"The constitutional right to self-defense does not stop at a state's borders.  Law-abiding citizens should be able to exercise this fundamental right while traveling across state lines. We appreciate Congressman Stutzman's efforts to fix the confusing patchwork of state and local laws in this area."

The Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2015:

• Respects the rights of individuals who possess concealed carry permits from their home state or who are not prohibited from carrying concealed in their home state to exercise those rights in any other state that does not prohibit concealed carry.
   
• Would not override state laws governing the time, place or manner of carriage or establish national standards for concealed carry. Individual state gun laws would still be respected.
   
• Concealed carry reciprocity would simply ensure that states honor permits issued by other states, just as they do with drivers' licenses.
   
• If under federal law a person is prohibited from carrying a firearm, they will continue to be prohibited from doing so under this bill.
   
• The U.S. Senate version of the bill was introduced by Senator John Cornyn (TX) on February 12, 2015. 

Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America's oldest civil rights and sportsmen's group. More than five million members strong, NRA continues to uphold the Second Amendment and advocates enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation's leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the armed services. Be sure to follow the NRA on Facebook at NRA on Facebook and Twitter @NRA.