When I introduced the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act (H.R. 38) in January, I knew it would face criticism from the left. I figured I’d run into the occasional lie about nationwide concealed carry reciprocity and have intense opposition rise from liberal groups trying to restrict our Second Amendment right. But I never imagined something like this: on Sunday, New York County District Attorney Cy Vance made the absurd statement, “this bill is supported, I’m sure, by ISIS.” This type of language is especially alarming and irresponsible after Republican members of Congress were recently hunted down and shot by a liberal activist who was incited by violent leftist language.
With all due respect, the district attorney needs to educate himself on H.R. 38 before making such disparaging and false statements. He outrageously accused the 200 co-sponsors of this bill – both Democrats and Republicans – of “playing into the hand” of ISIS and other terrorists, attempting to support his point by saying terrorists can “easily obtain guns” in some states. The chief law enforcement officer should be above dishonesty and scare tactics, but I guess desperate times call for desperate lies.
For one, nationwide concealed carry doesn’t make it any easier to buy a gun. This bill has nothing to do with the purchase of a gun. Every person who wants to buy a firearm in America would still have to go through a thorough federal background check – my bill would not change that. Contrary to his statements, my bill would empower Americans to protect themselves and their families if they ever, God forbid, face a terrorist who wants to do them harm. In short, concealed carry reciprocity is a terrorist’s worst nightmare.
My bill is simple and common sense. It would provide law-abiding citizens the right to carry concealed and travel freely between states without worrying about conflicting concealed carry state codes or onerous civil suits. It would allow a law-abiding citizen 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. And, the individual would have to follow the laws of the state, county and municipality in which they are carrying concealed.
