WASHINGTON D.C. (KLFY) – Courtesy: (KLFY)

(1/14/19) US Senator John Kennedy sought to enhance concealed carry laws across state lines on Thursday with the introduction of the Concealed-Carry Reciprocity Act. 

The legislation, according to a release from the Senator’s Office, would allow individuals with concealed carry privileges in their home state to “exercise those rights in any other state with concealed carry laws, while abiding by that state’s laws.”

Kennedy’s office compared to the act to a drivers license where a someone is authorized to drive in any other state while still following speed limits and driving law of the state they are in. 

“If you have a Louisiana driver’s license, you don’t need a Texas license to drive in Houston.  This legislation applies the same common sense approach to concealed carry permits,” said Sen. Kennedy.  “If you’re traveling across state lines and would like to exercise your right to self-defense by possessing a firearm, you should be able to legally do so.  This legislation respects the Second Amendment and state sovereignty.  It just makes sense.”

The bill has been cosponsored by more than 25 other Republican’s in the Senate. 

Background on the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act from U.S. Senator John Cornyn’s office:

Protecting Fundamental Constitutional Rights:

  • Allows law-abiding citizens to exercise their fundamental right to self-defense while they are traveling or temporarily living away from home.
  • Allows individuals with concealed carry privileges in their home state to conceal carry in any other states that also allow concealed carry.
  • Treats state-issued concealed carry permits like drivers’ licenses where an individual can use their home-state license to drive in another state, but must abide by that other state’s speed limit or road laws.

Respecting State Sovereignty:

  • Does not establish national standards for concealed carry.
  • Does not provide for a national concealed carry permit.
  • Does not allow a resident to circumvent their home state’s concealed carry permit laws. If under current law an individual is prohibited by federal law from carrying a firearm, they will continue to be prohibited from doing so under our bill.
  • Respects state laws concerning specific types of locations in which firearms may not be carried and types of firearms which may not be carried by the visiting individual.
  • Protects states’ rights by not mandating the right to concealed carry in places that do not allow the practice.

Senator Bill Cassidy also cosponsored the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act.