East Idaho Times

U.S. Senators Mike Crapo, Jim Risch, John Boozman, and John Cornyn have introduced the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act. This proposed legislation aims to allow individuals with concealed carry privileges in their home state to exercise those rights in any state that permits concealed carry, provided they follow that state's laws.

"Idahoans and Americans nationwide should not be deprived of their fundamental right to self-defense," said Senator Crapo. "Ensuring concealed carry reciprocity would enable law-abiding citizens to uphold this right while traveling or residing temporarily outside their home state."

Senator Risch emphasized the practicality of the proposal: "Allowing Idaho’s law-abiding gun owners to travel from state to state with their valid concealed carry permit is commonsense. The Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act honors Americans’ right to bear arms and recognizes the authority of the States."

Senator Boozman expressed his support for the measure: "I am proud to support Americans’ constitutional right to bear arms. This legislation is a commonsense solution to protect concealed carry privilege across all 50 states and uphold the rights of lawful, responsible gun owners."

Senator Cornyn highlighted Texas's long-standing advocacy for Second Amendment rights: "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. 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 Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act proposes treating state-issued concealed carry permits like driver's licenses, allowing individuals to use their home-state license in another state while adhering to local laws. It also seeks to protect state sovereignty by not establishing a national standard for concealed carry.

This legislation has received endorsements from organizations such as the National Rifle Association (NRA), the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), and Gun Owners of America (GOA).