The Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act has ignited a fierce battle in Congress, drawing sharp opposition from gun control organizations who warn that the legislation threatens public safety, while supporters argue it protects the rights of lawful gun owners.
The legislation would require all states to recognize concealed carry permits issued by other states, allowing permit holders to carry concealed weapons across state lines regardless of local regulations. Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC), the bill’s sponsor, champions the measure as necessary protection for gun owners. Hudson argues “This is just simple, common sense legislation that says if you’re a law abiding citizen we’re not going to turn you into a criminal just for crossing an invisible state line.”
The bill has attracted substantial Republican support, with 189 House co-sponsors as of November 2025. The House Judiciary Committee advanced the measure along party lines in March, voting 18 to 9, bringing it closer to a potential floor vote.
Gun rights organizations have rallied behind the proposal with enthusiasm. Gun Owners of America has strongly backed the legislation, noting that President Trump has publicly called on Congress to pass it. The group characterizes the bill as a common sense solution that respects the rights of lawful gun owners while promoting public safety.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation, the firearms industry trade association, has welcomed the legislation. Senior Vice President Lawrence Keane stated “This legislation eliminates the confusing patchwork of laws surrounding concealed carry permits that vary from state to state, particularly with regard to states where laws make unwitting criminals out of legal permit holders for a simple mistake of a wrong traffic turn.”
However, the proposal faces fierce resistance from gun control advocates and law enforcement leaders. Giffords, the prominent gun violence prevention organization, has emerged as one of the most vocal opponents, characterizing the bill as a threat to communities nationwide.
The organization warned “Extremists in Congress are pushing for a concealed carry mandate, which would allow people to carry hidden guns nationwide regardless of state laws. Now that the government has reopened, they can vote on this dangerous bill any day. They must vote NO.”
Extremists in Congress are pushing for a concealed carry mandate, which would allow people to carry hidden guns nationwide—regardless of state laws.
Now that the government has reopened, they can vote on this dangerous bill any day. They must vote NO.https://t.co/zx5b8q5Nk2
— GIFFORDS (@GIFFORDS_org) November 13, 2025
Giffords has emphasized that law enforcement leaders share their concerns, stating, “Law enforcement leaders across the nation agree. A national concealed carry mandate is dangerous. We should not be forced to accept reciprocity with places where any buffoon who has a pulse gets to carry a gun.”
Law enforcement leaders across the nation agree: A national concealed carry mandate is dangerous.
“We should not be forced to accept reciprocity with places where any buffoon who has a pulse gets to carry a gun.”
— GIFFORDS (@GIFFORDS_org) November 14, 2025
According to Giffords analysis, the legislation would allow dangerous, unqualified individuals to carry hidden, loaded guns across state lines without meeting basic safety standards. The organization contends the bill would override carefully crafted state laws designed to protect communities, forcing states with rigorous permitting requirements to accept permits from states with minimal or nonexistent standards.
Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, the organization’s namesake and a survivor of gun violence, stated in the aftermath of the Las Vegas mass shooting “In the shadow of the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history, our leaders in Congress should be focused on taking action to prevent future acts of gun violence, not working to move forward bills that weaken gun safety laws and make it more difficult for law enforcement officers to keep our communities safe.”
The law enforcement community has previously opposed the legislation. In April 2018, the International Association of Chiefs of Police released a letter signed by 473 agencies from 39 states opposing the measure. IACP leader Louis M. Dekmar stated, “I strongly oppose the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act because it endangers the public and law enforcement. This legislation would override state laws that determine who is qualified to carry a concealed firearm.” Law enforcement opposition to such measures has continued in the present.
On November 17, 2025, the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and the IACP jointly released a formal “call to action” urging Congress to reject HR 38. The FOP and IACP pointed to these provisions as the basis for their objections to HR 38: “The bill’s creation of personal liability for officers, combined with its erosion of state and local authorities to regulate firearms and conduct reasonable investigations of armed suspects, threatens officer safety and exposes agencies and officers to costly litigation.”
The battle over HR 38 will test whether Congress stands with millions of law-abiding gun owners seeking to exercise their Second Amendment rights nationwide or defers to critics who want to maintain the gun control status quo.
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About José Niño
José Niño is a freelance writer based in Charlotte, North Carolina. You can contact him via Facebook and X/Twitter. Subscribe to his Substack newsletter by visiting “Jose Nino Unfiltered” on Substack.com.
My district’s Representative (Cliff Bentz) is the state’s only (R) in Washington, and is already a co-sponsor of H.R.38. I wrote to him, thanking him for his support. Of our state’s other five districts, only one Representative took comments from outside her district. I sent Please join Rep Cliff Bentz as a co-sponsor, and support H. R. 38 the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2025, so Oregonians will be able to defend ourselves when traveling outside our state. I wrote to both our Senators: Please join as a co-sponsor, and support S.65 the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2025,… Read more »