National Right to Carry Reciprocity a Reality?
There has been a lot of discussion in recent news about Nationwide Reciprocity for Concealed Carry Permits. Currently, a Drivers License from one state is valid and recognized in all 50 states. That privilege does not always extend to your gun carry permit. But soon, it could.
A National Right to Carry Reciprocity bill was filed in Congress on January 3, 2025. HR 38 has had 122 original cosponsors attached to it.
President-Elect Donald Trump campaigned on this bill. “Second Amendment does not end at the state line,” he said, pledging to sign the measure if Congress sends it to his desk.
While HR 38 is not part of the 89th Legislative Session in Texas, it is connected to our work here. House Bill 1337 by Rep. Carrie Isaac (R-Dripping Springs) and Senate Bill 706 by Sen. Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) have been filed to provide for universal recognition of out-of-state carry licenses. We thank these TSRA Endorsed state lawmakers for introducing these measures to achieve the following goals:
LTC Reciprocity Law in Texas
Texas passed a “Permitless Carry” or “Constitutional Carry” in 2016 with the help of the TSRA Legislative Team. However, it is imperative that you know the laws of the state you are in. For instance, in Texas, there is no “duty to retreat” before defending yourself, but in some states that is not the case.
Our friends at Right to Bear have a reciprocity map on their website to start your research.
TSRA has partnered with Right to Bear, a crucial ally when it comes to self-defense. Right to Bear has given TSRA Members a 10% discount on their membership cost. To sign up, visit their website.
Current law authorizes the Texas Governor to negotiate carry license reciprocal agreements with other states, or issue unilateral proclamations of recognition for licenses from other states, depending on those states’ license issuance requirements (as determined by the Texas Attorney General) and their own reciprocity laws.
Texas currently has reciprocity with 34 states, unilaterally recognizes carry licenses from another 9 states, and has no reciprocity or recognition with the other 6.
Our pro-Second Amendment statewide officials have done as much as they can with current law, which has not been seriously revisited since 2003. “There have been HUGE wins in the Supreme Court in reference to our gun rights in recent years,” said Wallace Dunn, TSRA LTC Director. “The biggest impact of Trump’s new term will be his appointment of Federal Judges and possibly a Supreme Court Justice who will support and defend the Constitution.”
It’s time for Texas to join the 20 other states that provide for universal recognition of valid out-of-state licenses. We look forward to working with the NRA and pro-2A advocates to pass the Texas bills during the 89th Session in Austin, and to send National Right To Carry Reciprocity to President-Elect Trump’s desk!
A National Right to Carry Reciprocity bill was filed in Congress on January 3, 2025. HR 38 has had 122 original cosponsors attached to it.
President-Elect Donald Trump campaigned on this bill. “Second Amendment does not end at the state line,” he said, pledging to sign the measure if Congress sends it to his desk.
While HR 38 is not part of the 89th Legislative Session in Texas, it is connected to our work here. House Bill 1337 by Rep. Carrie Isaac (R-Dripping Springs) and Senate Bill 706 by Sen. Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) have been filed to provide for universal recognition of out-of-state carry licenses. We thank these TSRA Endorsed state lawmakers for introducing these measures to achieve the following goals:
- Provide for and protect the right to self-defense across state lines;
- Eliminate workload for two statewide offices (Governor and Attorney General). These offices currently keep up with 49 other state carry statutes and their unique reciprocal provisions;
- Increase the number of potential states where Texas LTCs may lawfully carry;
- Increase the number of states in the country (currently 20) that have universal recognition statutes as part of a push for National Right to Carry Reciprocity at the federal level; and,
- Bring Texas LTC law in line with the permitless carry law. Under permitless carry, non-prohibited individuals from 49 other states can carry here without a license.
LTC Reciprocity Law in Texas
Texas passed a “Permitless Carry” or “Constitutional Carry” in 2016 with the help of the TSRA Legislative Team. However, it is imperative that you know the laws of the state you are in. For instance, in Texas, there is no “duty to retreat” before defending yourself, but in some states that is not the case.
Our friends at Right to Bear have a reciprocity map on their website to start your research.
TSRA has partnered with Right to Bear, a crucial ally when it comes to self-defense. Right to Bear has given TSRA Members a 10% discount on their membership cost. To sign up, visit their website.
Current law authorizes the Texas Governor to negotiate carry license reciprocal agreements with other states, or issue unilateral proclamations of recognition for licenses from other states, depending on those states’ license issuance requirements (as determined by the Texas Attorney General) and their own reciprocity laws.
Texas currently has reciprocity with 34 states, unilaterally recognizes carry licenses from another 9 states, and has no reciprocity or recognition with the other 6.
Our pro-Second Amendment statewide officials have done as much as they can with current law, which has not been seriously revisited since 2003. “There have been HUGE wins in the Supreme Court in reference to our gun rights in recent years,” said Wallace Dunn, TSRA LTC Director. “The biggest impact of Trump’s new term will be his appointment of Federal Judges and possibly a Supreme Court Justice who will support and defend the Constitution.”
It’s time for Texas to join the 20 other states that provide for universal recognition of valid out-of-state licenses. We look forward to working with the NRA and pro-2A advocates to pass the Texas bills during the 89th Session in Austin, and to send National Right To Carry Reciprocity to President-Elect Trump’s desk!
The TSRA PAC Legislative Team is gearing up for the 89th Texas Legislative Session! Regular Session starts on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. To help our efforts, please consider a contribution to the TSRA PAC today.
Story by: TSRA Legislative Team, Wallace Dunn (TSRA LTC Director) and Marissa Brinkman (sportsman@tsra.com)
January 8, 2025
January 8, 2025