Gun-Rights Group: Pass National Constitutional Carry, Not Reciprocity
Gun-Rights Group: Pass National Constitutional Carry, Not Reciprocity
We’ve reported recently how President Donald Trump has again reiterated his support for a National Concealed Carry Reciprocity measure, and how many gun-related groups believe now is the time for passage of national reciprocity legislation.
While having all states recognize the right of concealed carry permit holders from other states is a noble goal, it should be seen as just a good first step, according to a Texas-based gun-rights group.
In a news alert posted on July 28, Texas Gun Rights wrote that while national reciprocity has long been sold as a solution to the traveling state-to-state problem, it shouldn’t be considered the solution.
“To be clear, forcing anti-gun states to recognize carry permits from other states would be a major improvement over the current legal minefield,” TGR wrote in the alert. “But reciprocity still accepts the gun control lobby’s basic premise: That your right to bear arms depends on a government-issued permission slip. Texas Gun Rights rejects that premise.”
Carry isn’t a driver’s license — it’s not a privilege
As TGR pointed out, the right to carry a firearm is not the same as a driver’s license, though anti-gunners often make that comparison.
“It is not a privilege,” TGR wrote. “And it should not depend on whether a bureaucrat issued the correct card, collected the right fee or approved the right paperwork.”
Massie’s HR 645 is the bill gun owners should be demanding
For that reason, TGR believes that rather than concentrating on national reciprocity legislation, Congress should instead pass HR 645, the National Constitutional Carry Act, introduced by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Kentucky.
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“Massie’s bill is designed to protect the right to carry firearms in public nationwide — without forcing law-abiding Americans to beg the government for permission,” TGR continued. “Senator Mike Lee has introduced the Senate version of the National Constitutional Carry Act, which his office says would protect the right to carry legally purchased firearms without a permit nationwide.”
“That is the fight gun owners should be demanding. Not watered-down reciprocity. Not another federal permission-slip scheme. Not a carveout that protects only those who already paid fees, took classes, submitted paperwork and received government approval.”
Sen. Lee: The Founders established a national right — not a permission-slip system
In fact, Sen. Lee, when introducing the measure, said exactly that.
“The Founders established a national right to keep and bear arms, not to ask for permission from hostile local officials, or risk imprisonment for crossing the wrong state line,” Sen. Lee said in a news release announcing the legislation. “Many states already protect the right to carry without a permit, and it’s time to reaffirm this right for all law-abiding Americans. The National Constitutional Carry Act will establish nationwide permitless carry to keep America safe and her people free.”
Anti-gun states have made state lines into traps — it needs to stop
Ultimately, TGR wrote that anti-gun states have spent too many years turning state lines into traps for gun owners, and it needs to stop now.
“They want Texans disarmed the moment they enter hostile territory,” TGR concluded. “They want travelers confused, intimidated and scared to carry. And they want law-abiding Americans to believe their constitutional rights depend on zip codes, paperwork and political permission.”
“Texas Gun Rights has a different message. Your right to self-defense does not disappear when you leave Texas. If Congress is serious about protecting the Second Amendment, it should stop nibbling around the edges and pass the National Constitutional Carry Act. The right to keep and bear arms means the right to carry. No permission slips. No government fee. No anti-gun state veto. No compromise.”