Sen. Graham Proposes National Concealed Carry Reciprocity Bill

COLUMBIA, S.C. — U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham is spearheading a congressional bill that would allow individuals with concealed carry permits to carry firearms across state lines. The legislation, reintroduced with the support of more than a dozen senators, aims to treat state-issued concealed carry permits similarly to driver’s licenses, enabling permit holders to exercise their rights in states that allow concealed carry.

“Personal protection should not end at a state line,” Graham said in a statement. “I am proud to once again introduce legislation that enhances the Second Amendment rights of Americans who can carry and responsibly own a firearm.”

The bill, known as the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, has garnered bipartisan support, with 44 cosponsors, including North Carolina Sens. Thom Tillis and Ted Budd, Texas Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley of Iowa. U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson introduced a similar measure in the House of Representatives earlier this month.

According to the senators, the legislation would allow individuals with concealed carry privileges in their home state to exercise those rights in any other state that permits concealed carry, provided they adhere to the laws of the state they are visiting. President-elect Donald Trump has expressed support for such measures, having campaigned on protecting Second Amendment rights.

“This common-sense legislation ensures that law-abiding citizens can exercise their constitutional right to carry concealed firearms across state lines while respecting the laws of each state,” Tillis said in a release.

Cornyn emphasized that gun owners in Texas should not have their Second Amendment rights “violated when they cross state lines.” Grassley echoed this sentiment, stating that “responsible gun owners shouldn’t have to jump through hoops” when visiting other states that allow concealed carry.

The bill has received backing from prominent gun rights organizations, including the National Rifle Association, National Shooting Sports Foundation, Gun Owners of America, and the U.S. Concealed Carry Association. With Republican majorities in both the Senate and House, passage of the legislation appears likely.

As of Monday evening, the Senate version of the bill had 44 cosponsors, while the House version had 219 supporters. The legislation is expected to face debate in both chambers in the coming weeks.