National Right-To-Carry Reciprocity Act – HR 822

The National Right-To-Carry Reciprocity Act – HR 822

FAIRFAX, Va. –-(Ammoland.com)- NRA-ILA would like to draw your attention to pending federal legislation that needs your immediate action.

U.S. Representatives Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.) and Heath Shuler (D-N.C.) have introduced vital legislation that will enable millions of concealed carry permit holders to exercise their right to self-defense while traveling outside of their home states.

There are currently only two states (Illinois and Wisconsin) that have no clear legal way for individuals to carry concealed firearms for self-defense.

Thirty-seven states have shall-issue 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, and Alaska, Arizona, and Wyoming offer permitless carry (see constitutional carry), along with the option of getting permits).

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; 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.

As of this writing, H.R. 822 has 234 cosponsors. Click here to see if your Congressman is a cosponsor. However, more support is needed to make this bill a higher priority.

If your U.S. Representative is not yet a cosponsor, respectfully urge him or her to support the fundamental right to self-defense by becoming a cosponsor of H.R. 822. If your Representative is already a cosponsor, please offer your thanks for his or her support. You can reach your U.S. Representative by calling (202) 225-3121. Additional contact information can be found using the “Write Your Representatives” feature at www. NRAILAorg.

In addition, please contact Reps. Stearns and Shuler and thank them for their pro- Second Amendment advocacy and leadership in sponsoring H.R. 822.

• Contact information for Rep. Cliff Stearns: https://stearns.house.gov/Contact/default.aspx
• Contact information for Rep. Heath Shuler: https://shulerforms.house.gov/contact/

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Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America’s oldest civil rights and sportsmen’s group. Four million members strong, NRA continues its mission to uphold Second Amendment rights and to advocate enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation’s leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the military. Visit: www.nra.org