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Hearing Scheduled for H.R. 822, the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011

September 14, 2011 | by
Hearing Scheduled for H.R. 822, the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011

Hearing Scheduled for H.R. 822, the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011

For months we have been reporting on a critically important bill:  H.R. 822—the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011.  This vital NRA-backed legislation, introduced earlier this year by Congressmen Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.) and Heath Shuler (D-N.C.) will enable millions of permit holders to exercise their right to self-defense while traveling outside their home states.

Thanks to much hard work and action taken by NRA and our members, H.R. 822 has now garnered 242 cosponsors in the U.S. House.  On Tuesday, September 13, the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security will hold a hearing on the bill.

There is currently only one state (Illinois) that has no clear legal way for individuals to carry concealed firearms for self-defense.  Forty states have permit systems that make it possible for any law-abiding person to obtain a permit, while most of the others have discretionary permit systems. (Vermont has never required a permit.)

H.R. 822 would make a major step forward for gun owners’ rights by significantly expanding where those permits are recognized.

Dozens of states have passed Right-to-Carry laws over the past 25 years because the right to self-defense does not end when one leaves home.  However, interstate recognition of those permits is not uniform and creates great confusion and potential problems for travelers.  While many states have broad reciprocity, others have very restrictive reciprocity laws. Still others deny recognition completely.

H.R. 822 would solve this problem by requiring that lawfully issued carry permits be recognized, while protecting the ability of the various states to determine the areas where carrying is prohibited within their boundaries.  The bill would not create a federal licensing system, nor would it establish a minimum federal standard for the carry permit; rather, it would require the states to recognize each others’ carry permits, just as they recognize driver’s licenses and carry permits held by armored car guards. Rep. Stearns has introduced similar legislation since 1995.

To read our fact sheet on H.R. 822, please click here.  And remember to watch this alert for updates!

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  • Anonymous

    i hope it passes

  • hazard123

    You will have the right to carry except for here, and here, and here and here, and, here, and here, and here, and here, etc…………………………………………………

    • How is that different from today?  I’m in WA State.  I can’t carry in bars, on school property, in the Courthouse, etc.  The ONLY thing this bill would change is making it so I’d be able to carry into Oregon when I go visit my sister.  

      • Wayne

        The difference is that these new restrictions would be at the federal level.  He in CA while it is hard, sometimes very hard to get a CCW, you can carry most anyplace except those restricted by the feds.  While you seem to have many restrictions in WA this would impose them on everyone.  What if they, the feds, in establishing minimum standard on training and qualification make is so expensive and set the bar so high ordinary citizens cannot either afford it (can you go to 2 weeks at gunsite every year?) nor meet the skyhigh standards.   No more additional government regulation over CCWs.

  • Anonymous

    This would put a lot of peoples issues to rest. Instead of oops, crossed the state line, put the gun in the trunk, we’ll be able to just keep it where it belongs.

  • Anonymous

    This would put a lot of peoples issues to rest. Instead of oops, crossed the state line, put the gun in the trunk, we’ll be able to just keep it where it belongs.

  • Joe

    This Bill will solve a lot of problems.  I have a NY and PA permit and I can carry in many states, but anyone who doesn’t have a NY permit can’t carry in my home state.  That’s not right at all.  I hope this Bills passes.

    • I was Recently Arrested in NY for not having said licence…  I hope and pray that this goes through successfully!!!  If it does it might help others not get sucked into this…  There aren’t enough words to describe how I felt about all of that…

      • Ford

        I hate to say it Jon, but I hope your case catches the attention of some of the folks on here that are under the impression that the 2nd ammendment will cover them when they are wrong.  I hope that your case works out for the best and that you are cleared with no real issues.  I am covered not because of my LE background, but because I went the extra step and met all the requirements to cary out of NY.  It still cost me a few hundred, but always better to spend a few now than alot more and a record later.  Good luck and lets hope that the bill passes. 

  • Gsmith1380

    No more big Goverment.  Don’t need a national carry law the ones we have are just fine.  Let the Fed in the door to reciprocity and they will screw it up.  This is just a back door assault on the Second Amendment, from the people that is giving us Hope & Change (Smoke & Mirrors).  Give us what we think we need then change the no requirements section at the stroke of a pen in the White House.  Better think about this again folks.  WE don’t need a National Carry Permit System we have the Second Amendment, THAT’S ALL THAT’S NEED!!

  • CRS

    That would be great, we just need a by-pass on I 70 around the black state of Illinois.

  • baldmurph

    The devil is in the details.  Are we creating another federal supervisory department to oversee conflicts, and with what authority?  We can’t afford the ones we have now, and when you give power to give it develops power to take away – will we wind up being forced into a lowest common denominator in the not too distant future?  Is Illinois going to rise to Vermont standards, or will Vermont be drawn down closer to Illinois?  The FDA is a good idea, but many complain that too many decisions are skewed toward Big Pharma who provide some of their funding.  Messing with my supplements providers is one thing, giving away legal entitlement to my .45 M1911A1 is quite another.

  • Derby

    Gsmith1380 and baldmurph have the right idea.  Pass this off to the federal government and soon we will have no 2nd amendment rights left.  Those allowed to carry will be placed in another federal database and it will be even easier for the gun haters to restrict and confiscate weapons and weapon usage and rights.

    Contact your congress people and tell them to vote NO, loud and clear.

  • Anonymous

    Read the bill, no bureaucracy, no database and it only expands on the existing role of the Federal gov’t to provide for rights states can’t take away. My only problem with it is it doesn’t address those whose only permits are as non-residents of the issuing state. Those residing in CA with NV permits can’t use their NV permits in CA!

  • baldmurph

    Read the bill?  IF there is no federal oversight outside of suing the state in federal court and IF there is no federal database and IF it can get through both houses without ammendments hiding nasties down the way . . . .  perhaps my cynicism is growing stronger as I grow older. 

  • Rayjarrad

    As much as I like the cross state carry concept, I am afraid of letting the national government any where near my gun rights.

  • Anonymous

    I’m of the opinion that our Constitution is our concealed carry permit/license.  It’s simple and it’s right.  Obviously there are elected officials and judges who see otherwise and have made it far too difficult to obtain what is rightfully already ours.  Gun laws are difficult to understand for a reason.  Our government wants it that way so when we do something wrong they can make an example out of us to promote their anti-gun agendas.  H.R. 822 is a perfect example.  It’s not even law…yet…and already gun advocates are having a difficult time determining if it’s a win-win situation or a Trojan horse bill.  

    • Jones2

      I’m of the opinion that our Constitution is our concealed carry permit/license.
      try that one as a defense in court. 

      • Anonymous

        Let me guess…you’re either a lawyer or a lamestream media reporter who likes to pick comments apart and make it sound like something it ain’t.

  • Ford

    I think some of you must not have read the last paragraph.  This is why we have so many issues, most fail to read or fully understand what the proposal is. I carry across state lines, I did it legally, I applied for non-resident Utah and Florida and posses a NY CCW as a resident. This covers me in almost every state.  When I go to other states camping or visiting, I don’t want or need a grey area.  I know enough not to carry in a bar or a school or Federal Bldg. in any state.  But I have met and have been cleared to carry in NY and that should be enough.  I was given the privilege to drive in NY, and I can drive in every other state because I met NY standards.  My truck could be just as deadly in any state, just harder to conceal under my coat…really what is the difference? I have to trust Ohio drivers and Calf. Drivers, heck I even have Canadian drivers here, but I have to trust the state that issued them a license until they do something really stupid, and that could be just as deadly. It’s a recognition issue, not some scam to involve more Gov. Educate yourselves in what is being said, not going on your own tangent.  And no the 2nd Amendment will not protect you when they take your sidearm and arrest you with a Felony for not supporting this bill and carrying across state lines. And if my sidearm is locked in my lockbox, disassembled and separate from my ammo, it doesn’t do me or the potential victim in any state any good and defeats the purpose of protecting myself and or others. So again there was another really silly statement.  I guess I will be the one reloading while you are getting your gun out of the trunk as someone attempts to abduct your child, rape your wife, kill your friend, etc… No worry I will pay the price of the initial legal fees and the nights of restful sleep for being prepared and doing the right thing not laying awake asking myself, “what if I had only…?”  

  • baldmurph

    Back to the IF’s, and standards of compliance, and enforcement . . . . the idea is good, but the devil is STILL in the details . . . .

  • I M Wary

    We need less government involvement, not more.  I do not want Obama and his ilk (unvetted czars) making policies regarding the second amendment.  Once the feds take control of the carry laws, how long will it be until they submit to the UN and their anti-gun rules.

  • ACKATTACK

    Several commenters below are missing the point of this proposed act…it’s a ‘reciprocity’ act…just like your driver’s license is recognized in every state, thus would your LTC permit from your home state need be recognized when you carry into another state.
    I have 4 LTC’s from different states and am legal to carry in most of them now…but it’s a PITA to get them all & costs no small sum.  This bill would solve all of this for me, and make my MA LTC legal everywhere.
    PLEASE SUPPORT THIS BILL!

    • Mssusieq2

      I agree, It should be legal to use your concealed carry in any state.  I support this bill and encourage everyone else to do so.

  • Anonymous

    Several commenters below are missing the point of this proposed act…it’s a ‘reciprocity’ act…just like your driver’s license is recognized in every state, thus would your LTC permit from your home state need be recognized when you carry into another state.
    I have 4 LTC’s from different states and am legal to carry in most of them now…but it’s a PITA to get them all & costs no small sum. This bill would solve all of this for me, and make my MA LTC legal everywhere.
    PLEASE SUPPORT THIS BILL!     

  • Derby

    Repeatedly in these comments, as well as in the article and the linked fact sheet, it is mentioned that this is just like driver’s license reciprocity.  Is there actually a law on the federal books requiring each state to honor the DL of other states?  Or is this something the states have chosen to do on their own?  I am not talking about Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), just the normal, everyday operator’s license.

    I’m not saying that there is no federal statue, just that I can’t find it and would like to read it.

  • baldmurph

    You may have trouble with a Second Ammendment defense, considering the firearms of the day tended to be rather longer and bulkier than those commonly used for concealed carry.  Slung over the shoulder or strapped around your waist though . . . . o.k., I’m kidding.  You would still be in front of a judge of uncertain mindset and opinion of local and state laws supposedly enacted for the safety and tranquility of the citizenry.  If the bill is passed solely as “Thou Shall Honor the Permit of Another State” then well and good.  If we are going to tack another office and rules onto the BATF, with rules and procedures and budget and whatever then I fear we will be  in deep kimchee.  As an aside, I have had official contact with the local office of the BATF and found the local agents to be courteous and accommodating as well as professional, and am also very fond of kimchee.  But you get my drift that the devil is still in the details.

  • Anonymous

    When does the Senate get to vote on HR 822? The sooner the better. This bill really needs to pass. Lets keep our fingers crossed.

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