Berks County News

This week, Congressman Dan Meuser of Pennsylvania's 9th District has cosponsored H.R. 38, known as the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act. This legislation aims to establish nationwide reciprocity for concealed carry license holders and residents of Constitutional Carry states.

Congressman Meuser stated, "Law-abiding gun owners should not be penalized for simply crossing state lines. Our Constitutional rights don’t end at a state border, and the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act ensures that responsible gun owners can exercise their Second Amendment freedoms no matter where they travel." He emphasized that the bill is designed to address the complexity of varying state laws which may inadvertently criminalize lawful citizens. Meuser urged his colleagues in Congress to support the bill, highlighting its potential to protect law-abiding citizens and uphold self-defense rights.

The act has garnered support from several pro-Second Amendment organizations, including the NRA Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA), Gun Owners of America (GOA), the U.S. Concealed Carry Association (USCCA), and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF).

The legislation allows individuals with state-issued concealed carry licenses or permits to carry a handgun in any other state. It also provides for residents of Constitutional Carry states to carry across state lines.

Previously, in December 2017, this bill passed in the House with bipartisan backing but was not addressed by the Senate. Former President Donald Trump had expressed his commitment to signing such national concealed carry reciprocity legislation into law.