On October 15, 2025, the Trump administration held an FBI news briefing, which started at about 3 pm Eastern Time. At about 21 minutes and 43 seconds into the briefing, President Donald Trump was asked about national concealed carry reciprocity. Here is a transcript from x.com:
Reporter: Will there be a further conversation to have national concealed carry applied to our actual D.C. like if you had a drivers license for Texas and you had a permit, of course you could drive…
President Trump: “Well as you know, they have been talking about that for a long time. Its an interesting question. A lot of people feel strongly both ways. We are talking about that.”
President @realDonaldTrump confirms talks on national concealed carry reciprocity:
“We are talking about that.” pic.twitter.com/sklVGEbIdC
— NRA (@NRA) October 15, 2025
President Donald Trump has previously said he would sign a national reciprocity bill if it were to reach his desk. The second term for President Trump has been the most active administration in restoring Second Amendment rights of any president in history.
There have been significant differences in bills that have been submitted to enact national carry reciprocity. The framework that appears most favored would preempt most states’ restrictions on the carry of firearms by non-residents. Here is an example of H.R. 38, as introduced in the House of Representatives in 2025:
This bill establishes a federal statutory framework to regulate the carry or possession of concealed firearms across state lines.
Specifically, an individual who is eligible to carry a concealed firearm in one state may carry or possess a concealed handgun (other than a machine gun or destructive device) in another state that allows its residents to carry concealed firearms.
It sets forth requirements for lawful concealed carry across state lines. The bill preempts most state and local laws related to concealed carry and establishes a private right of action for a person adversely affected by interference with a concealed-carry right established by this bill.
There are other versions of national reciprocity. During the legislative process, considerable debate and negotiations occur, which can result in substantial amendments to bills in order to obtain enough votes for a bill to pass. There are court cases that are challenging the authority of states to prevent non-residents from legally carrying firearms under the rights protected by the Second Amendment.
In California, lawsuits have led to a process that allows non-residents to apply for a California concealed carry permit. In Massachusetts, the state supreme court dodged the issue. A case by truck drivers has been filed in Minnesota and dismissed by the District judge.
The Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled that the Second Amendment is not a second-class right of the enumerated rights in the Bill of Rights.
At some point, the ability to exercise the rights protected by the Second Amendment across state lines will be addressed by Congress, the Supreme Court, or both. Much will depend on how the mid-term elections are concluded in 2026. If the Republicans gain substantial majorities, the chances of a bill similar to H.R. 38 passing are fairly good. If the Republicans lose a majority in either the House or the Senate, such a bill will not pass. This correspondent does not expect a challenge to a ban on non-resident carry to reach the Supreme Court for at least two years.
About Dean Weingarten:
Dean Weingarten has been a peace officer, a military officer, was on the University of Wisconsin Pistol Team for four years, and was first certified to teach firearms safety in 1973. He taught the Arizona concealed carry course for fifteen years until the goal of Constitutional Carry was attained. He has degrees in meteorology and mining engineering, and retired from the Department of Defense after a 30 year career in Army Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation.
HR@218 Or LEOSA could have very well set a positive example to set up national reciprocity.
Yeah, we can “talk” about it quite a lot as we run out the clock until January 20, 2029 without making it happen. Then we will blame “the damn Democrats” for our failure to catch the ball and run with it when we had the chance. Same as last time.