Press release: WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08) released the following statement after the U.S. Conference of Mayors adopted a resolution in opposition to his bill [ED: not on the Mayors’ website], the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 (H.R. 38):
“Contrary to this resolution, my bill to provide law-abiding citizens the right to carry concealed across state lines will not increase crime or violence.
It is unfortunate that this group of mayors has decided to parrot the talking points of anti-Second Amendment crusader Michael Bloomberg who has vowed to spend millions to stop my bill instead of working to uphold the Constitutional right of all Americans. Simply put, this resolution is a bridge too far.”
Under H.R. 38, every person who wants to buy a firearm in America would still have to go through a thorough federal background check – Rep. Hudson’s bill would not change that.
In addition, state and local laws would still dictate where law-abiding citizens can and can’t carry a concealed firearm. That means if these mayors want to control where people can carry in their municipalities, then they’re free to do that.
Rep. Hudson’s bill, which is supported by major pro-Second Amendment groups and has 200 cosponsors, would allow law-abiding citizens with a state-issued concealed carry license or permit to conceal a handgun in any other state that allows concealed carry.
It also allows law-abiding residents of Constitutional carry states the ability to carry in other states that recognize their own residents’ right to concealed carry.
It would allow law-abiding citizens to carry concealed only if they are not federally prohibited from possessing or receiving a firearm, are carrying a valid government-issued photo ID, and are lawfully licensed or otherwise entitled to carry a concealed handgun. Each person would have to follow the laws of the state, county and municipality in which they are carrying concealed.
[Click here to read the text of the slightly misnamed Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017]