Legislation to fix the cumbersome patchwork of concealed carry laws in the U.S. has gained momentum with the addition of a 212th co-sponsor in the House of Representatives.
The legislation–H.R. 38–was put forward by Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) on January 3, 2017. Breitbart News reported that it will make the concealed carry permit of any one state valid in the other 49–just like a driver’s license–and will also allow residents of permitless carry states to carry in any state, provided they have government documentation proving their residency in a permitless carry state.
On June 21, Breitbart News reported that 199 House members had signed on as co-sponsors of H.R. 38. That number is now 212, with the latest co-sponsor being House Judiciary Chairman Rob Goodlatte (R-VA). In light of Goodlatte’s support, the NRA sees an opportunity to get national reciprocity enacted and is asking Second Amendment supporters to contact their Representatives:
#ICYMI Reciprocity bill nears goal line in the House but needs YOUR support to reach the end zone #2A https://t.co/yu5ok0VkVO
— NRA (@NRA) September 27, 2017
On September 8, Breitbart News reported Rep. Thomas Massie’s (R-KY) observation that House Speaker Paul Ryan was preventing Congress from taking up national reciprocity. While a guest on Armed American Radio, Massie was asked about the lack of movement on national reciprocity and he said, “The Speaker told me he didn’t think the timing was right.” Massie then added, “But this is the exact time to bring this bill. So it is frustrating for me.”
The bottom line is that 212 co-sponsors means Second Amendment proponents are approaching critical mass; approaching a point where the establishment will have to act on the reciprocity legislation put forward by Rep. Hudson.
**UPDATE**
After the publication of this article, Congressman Massie’s office contacted Breitbart News to say he was discussing H.R. 2909 not H.R. 38.
AWR Hawkins is the Second Amendment columnist for Breitbart News and host of Bullets with AWR Hawkins, a Breitbart News podcast. He is also the political analyst for Armed American Radio. Follow him on Twitter: @AWRHawkins. Reach him directly at awrhawkins@breitbart.com
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