Hagerty, Cornyn, Colleagues Introduce Concealed-Carry Reciprocity Bill

February 3, 2023

WASHINGTON—United States Senators Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and John Cornyn (R-TX), along with 43 of their Senate colleagues, today introduced the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, which would allow individuals with concealed carry privileges in their home state to exercise those rights in any other state that allows concealed carry, while still abiding by that state’s laws.

“The constitutional right of self-defense should not disappear simply because an individual crosses state lines,” said Senator Hagerty. “I’m pleased to join my Senate colleagues in this commonsense legislation to ensure that law-abiding Tennesseans who are permitted to carry a concealed firearm are able to exercise that right in other states, consistent with those states’ laws, without having to obtain a separate permit.”

“I’m proud to support law-abiding gun owners across America with this commonsense legislation that would let them concealed carry in all states that allow it,” said Senator Cornyn. “This legislation strengthens two of our most fundamental constitutional protections – the Second Amendment’s right of citizens to keep and bear arms and the Tenth Amendment’s right of states to make laws best-suited for their residents – and I’m grateful to 44 of my Republican Senate colleagues for joining me on this important bill.”

Background on the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act:

  • Allows individuals with concealed carry privileges in their home state to exercise those rights in any other state with concealed carry laws
  • 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
  • Protects state sovereignty by not establishing a national standard for concealed carry

This legislation is endorsed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation and the National Rifle Association.

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