Representative Thomas Massie has introduced the National Constitutional Carry Act (H.R. 9534), which seeks to prevent states from requiring permits to carry firearms. This legislation aligns with the rights guaranteed by the Second and Fourteenth Amendments, aiming to enforce constitutional protections against state restrictions on gun ownership.
The bill was introduced on September 11, 2024, and is currently under review by the House Committee on the Judiciary. With 30 Republican cosponsors, it has gained significant backing from pro-Second Amendment groups, including the National Rifle Association (NRA) and the National Association for Gun Rights. These supporters argue that the bill ensures that the constitutional right to bear arms is not subject to state-level restrictions.
One of the core ideas behind the National Constitutional Carry Act is to promote concealed carry reciprocity. Under this concept, gun owners with concealed carry permits from one state would be able to carry their weapons legally in other states, making it easier for law-abiding citizens to exercise their rights across state lines.
Currently, every state allows some form of concealed carry, but the laws vary significantly. Some states have permitless carry laws, while others have stringent requirements for concealed carry permits. The National Constitutional Carry Act aims to standardize this by ensuring that all law-abiding citizens can carry firearms without the need for government approval.
Sources:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/9534
https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-concealed-carry-reciprocity-1983740