Look, I've been running this shop for over a decade, and I've heard promises about national carry reciprocity more times than I can count. But this week, President Trump made some remarks at a Mack Trucks facility in Pennsylvania that have the whole 2A community buzzing.
Trump essentially told the crowd that yes, they're working on national right to carry legislation. He even acknowledged NRA President Bill Bachenberg by name, saying Bill asked him directly about supporting it. Trump's response? "We're working on it." That's his words, not mine.
Now, here's where it gets interesting for us. There are actually two pieces of legislation floating around Congress right now. The first is the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act (H.R.38/S.65), which has substantial support - 189 co-sponsors in the House and 47 in the Senate. This one would give concealed carry license holders and folks from Constitutional Carry states recognition across the country.
The second option is the National Constitutional Carry Act (H.R.645/S.4013), which has fewer sponsors at 73 but goes much further. This would guarantee the right to carry any lawfully purchased firearm without needing a permit whatsoever.
I'm cautiously optimistic, but I'll believe it when I see it. The Firearms Policy Coalition put out a statement warning that some of these bills have "legal traps" that could still leave responsible gun owners exposed to arrest. That's concerning - we've seen badly written legislation before.
Of course, the anti-gunners are already spinning this as "dangerous" and claiming it would "jeopardize lives." Same old song. Every time we try to expand our rights, they cry wolf.
The bottom line? If national carry reform actually happens, it would be huge for my customers who travel across state lines. No more worrying about whether your permit is valid in the next state over. That's freedom.