Congress Should Make 2025 the Year of National Concealed Carry Reciprocity

Katie Pointer Baney | DC Journal | January 29, 2025

There is an unfortunate reality that law-abiding gun owners routinely face. Responsible gun owners are forced to navigate a complex patchwork of laws, which can often lead to unintentional violations and legal jeopardy when traveling between states. The uncertainty and inconsistency of firearm laws from one state to the next not only create logistical challenges but also undermine the fundamental right of responsible citizens to protect themselves and their loved ones.

For example, one U.S. Concealed Carry Association member and gun owner has a carry permit in Wisconsin. He frequently travels between Minnesota and Illinois. Neither Minnesota nor Illinois recognize reciprocity with his Wisconsin permit. Illinois has strict regulations that make it difficult to legally transport his weapon, even as he crosses state lines. This creates a constant struggle, and he is left vulnerable when traveling with children, knowing that the laws prevent him from carrying the means to protect his family. The shifting legal landscape places him in a frustrating and dangerous position, caught between his right to self-defense and the patchwork of conflicting state laws.

The Second Amendment rights should not stop at state lines. After a decisive victory at the ballot box in November, the new Congress can pass the “Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act,” the most consequential reform for gun owners nationwide. With President Trump repeatedly vocalizing his strong support for concealed carry reciprocity, the current moment presents a unique opportunity to act on meaningful legislation that will serve millions of gun owners nationwide.

This long-overdue policy reform not only strengthens individual Second Amendment rights and enhances personal safety but brings much-needed consistency to the legal landscape surrounding gun ownership. Uniformity reduces the legal risks for law-abiding gun owners who travel across state lines. While more than half of states have passed laws allowing for constitutional carry or permitless carry, more work remains to be done.

Read the full article from the DC Journal HERE.

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