MISS. SENATORS PUSH FOR NATIONAL CONCEALED CARRY RIGHTS
Wicker, Hyde-Smith Back Reintroduction of Common-Sense Legislation to Defend Second Amendment Protections
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) have joined U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-Tex.) in reintroducing the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act (S.65).
The legislation would permit individuals who have concealed carry permits in their home state to exercise that right in any other state where concealed carry is permitted, as long as they comply with the laws of the state they are in.
“Requiring gun owners to obtain multiple permits to cross state lines is simply wasteful and unnecessary,” Senator Wicker said. “Throughout my time in Congress, I have supported Americans’ constitutional right to keep and bear arms. This commonsense legislation is another step in the right direction.”
“Whether you are driving or carrying concealed, the principle should be the same – your rights travel with you,” said Senator Hyde-Smith. “This sensible, straightforward legislation will simplify the lives of responsible gun owners, bolster Second Amendment protections, and ensure that Americans can defend themselves wherever they are in the country.”
The Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act would treat concealed carry permits the same way as driver’s licenses. Individuals could use their home-state concealed carry permit in other states but would still be required to follow the host state’s specific laws, such as restrictions on where firearms can be carried.
The bill respects state sovereignty by allowing states to continue setting their own rules without imposing a one-size-fits-all mandate from Washington.
In addition to Wicker and Hyde-Smith, other S.65 original cosponsors include: Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb..), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), John Curtis (R-Utah), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), and David McCormick (R-Pa.).
###