Supports measure allowing New Hampshire gun owners to carry concealed firearms in other concealed carry states

November 16, 2011

WASHINGTON – Congressman Charles F. Bass (NH-02) voted today to preserve Second Amendment rights by supporting a measure to allow concealed firearm permit holders in one state to legally carry a concealed handgun in another state that issues such permits or does not generally prohibit the carrying of concealed firearms.

The bipartisan National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act (H.R. 822) passed the House of Representatives today by a vote of 272 to 154. The measure now awaits action in the Senate.

Bass, a cosponsor of the legislation, said:

"Law-abiding gun owners with valid permits to carry a concealed weapon in one state, like New Hampshire, should have the right to carry their concealed weapon in other concealed carry states. This legislation solves that problem without creating another federal bureaucratic mess. It enhances Americans' right to self defense and protection. And most importantly, it protects our constitutional right to keep and bear arms as we travel across state lines.

"This bill is a simple, common sense solution to preserving our Second Amendment rights – and one that enjoys support from both sides of the aisle. I urge the Senate to pass it without delay so gun owners and sportsmen in New Hampshire and across the country can exercise their constitutional right freely."

"If you follow the law and have the proper firearm concealed permit, you should be allowed to carry your concealed weapon in every state that allows concealed carry," said Bill Carney of Bow, a former New Hampshire Fish and Game Commissioner and an outdoors writer and sportsmen's activist. "I applaud Congressman Bass for his support of this legislation and his efforts to protect the rights of New Hampshire gun owners and sportsmen."

"This legislation is a win for law-abiding gun owners and sportsmen who have a permit to carry a concealed firearm and want to travel across state lines with their firearm to other concealed carry states," said Walter A. Morse of Hillsborough, the former Sheriff of Hillsborough County and a former 31-year trooper with the New Hampshire State Police. "Sportsmen and gun owners across New Hampshire thank Congressman Bass for helping to pass this bill."

Specifically, the legislation amends federal code to authorize a person holding a government-issued identification and a concealed firearm permit in one state to carry a concealed firearm in another state, in accordance with the restrictions of that state. The legislation does not create a federal licensing or registration system or set federal standards, but merely requires states to recognize one another's concealed carry permits, just as they do with driver's licenses, for example.

-- 30 --