Twenty attorneys general advocate for nationwide recognition of concealed carry permits.
The Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, H.R. 38, has gained significant attention since its introduction by Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.) on January 3, 2025. The bill proposes that individuals who are legally permitted to carry concealed firearms in their home states should be allowed to do so in any other states, while still adhering to local restrictions on concealed carry.
The more than 22 million concealed-carry permit holders across the United States support the passage of H.R. 38, viewing it as a matter of both policy and principle. Proponents argue that states should honour concealed carry permits in the same way they honour each other's marriages and driver's licenses through mutual recognition agreements.
As of the writing, the House Judiciary Committee has not yet marked up the bill. However, momentum is building due to mounting pressure from state attorneys general, the NRA, and Americans who value the U.S. Constitution. State attorneys general from Alabama to Alaska have united in support of H.R. 38.
The Constitution, according to the attorneys general, does not end at state lines, and Americans should be able to enjoy their Second Amendment rights fully, including when they travel. The attorney general's claim is that lawful concealed carry enhances, not diminishes, public safety.
In 2013, Texas CHL holders were convicted of crimes at a rate of 0.3%, compared to 4.5% for non-license holders. Studies summarized by John Lott, president of the Crime Prevention Research Center, suggest that violent crime decreases as the number of carry permits increases, particularly in states with constitutional-carry laws.
H.R. 38 would ensure that states honour concealed-carry permits much the way they do with driver's licenses. North Carolina Rep. Richard Hudson argues that responsible gun owners should not be forced to navigate a legal minefield when traveling, as their Second Amendment right should not disappear when crossing state lines.
It is important to note that the bill specifies that individuals prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms will remain barred from carrying under this Act. This ensures that public safety remains a priority while respecting the rights of law-abiding citizens.
As the debate continues, the future of H.R. 38 remains uncertain. However, one thing is clear: the issue of national concealed carry reciprocity is a topic of great importance to many Americans, and it is likely to remain a significant point of discussion in the coming months.
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