Congresswoman Claudia Tenney: House Passes Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act

Statement

Today, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-22) voted in favor of H.R. 38 the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017. This bill would allow qualified law-abiding citizens who have obtained concealed carry permits to carry their firearm across state lines and in other states, eliminating the need for multiple state permits for those traveling across state lines. The provision also extends to residents of Constitutional carry states, which do not require a permit for a citizen to lawfully carry a concealed firearm. Rep. Tenney is a cosponsor of this bipartisan bill.
Conflicting state regulations on concealed carry have been confusing for many law-abiding gun owners. Establishing nationwide reciprocity will streamline regulations allowing permit holders to cross state lines without the worry of breaking the law. This bill does not impact state's authority over regulations for carrying within their borders. Additionally, the "Fix NICS" provision of this legislation would add an extra layer of accountability to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System for individuals who are legally prohibited from obtaining a firearm.

"Nationwide reciprocity will streamline federal standards to ensure that the rights of law-abiding gun owners are protected across state lines. If a law-abiding gun owner unknowingly crosses state lines, they shouldn't have to worry about breaking the law due to conflicting concealed carry regulations. The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 is a common sense solution to end this complex and confusing maze of regulations," said Congresswoman Claudia Tenney. "Additionally, Article 4, Section 1 of the United States Constitution requires, "Full Faith and credit shall be given in each state to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state.' This provision allows state driver's licenses to be recognized in all 50 states. There is no reason that this same provision should not extend to our 2nd Amendment rights."

This bill will also allow concealed carry in the National Park System, National Wildlife Refuge System, and on lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management, Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation.

Since 1991, the number of concealed carry permits have drastically increased, while the violent crime rates have dropped nearly 51% according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics.

Rep. Tenney, who represents Ilion, New York the home of Remington Arms, is a leading 2nd Amendment advocate. During her time in the New York State Assembly, she was the first to introduce a full repeal of Governor Cuomo's gun-grabbing SAFE Act.

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