Momentum is quietly but steadily building behind a long-sought proposal in the gun rights community: national concealed carry reciprocity. In a recent interview on Real America’s Voice, Congresswoman Harriet Hageman of Wyoming spoke out in support of the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, calling it a “common sense approach” to ensure Americans can exercise their Second Amendment rights across state lines. Meanwhile, firearms attorney William Kirk, President of Washington Gun Law, offered a detailed breakdown of House Resolution 38 – an updated bill that could bring that vision closer to reality.
Both Hageman and Kirk recognize that this legislative push faces strong political headwinds, especially from anti-gun states like California and New York. Yet the bill has made it through markup in the House Judiciary Committee, a critical early step that many gun bills never reach. If passed, the measure could allow lawful gun owners to carry concealed handguns across state lines, so long as they meet their home state’s requirements. But will it survive the Senate – and the inevitable legal challenges that would follow?
What the Bill Actually Does
As William Kirk explains in his YouTube breakdown, HR 38 is designed to harmonize how states recognize concealed carry permits. Simply put, if you have a valid concealed carry permit – or reside in a constitutional carry state – you would be allowed to carry a concealed handgun in any other state that also issues permits or allows concealed carry. That’s the core function of the bill, and it’s grounded in the idea that constitutional rights shouldn’t disappear at the border.
Kirk was careful to note that this is not a federal mandate requiring all states to adopt constitutional carry. It also doesn’t create a national permit. Rather, it functions like a driver’s license – if you’re licensed in your home state, that license would be honored elsewhere, provided the destination state issues licenses too. “This bill basically says,” Kirk explains, “that if you are concealed carrying in another state…you may possess or carry a concealed handgun other than a machine gun or destructive device.”
Hageman’s Message: Constitutional Rights Don’t Stop at the Border
In her interview with Real America’s Voice, Rep. Hageman framed the bill in terms of constitutional clarity. “It just makes sure that we can continue to exercise our Second Amendment rights,” she said, “and that if I come from a constitutional carry state, I will not be at risk of being arrested or being subject to [another state’s] laws.”
For Hageman, the question is not about expanding gun access – it’s about equalizing the treatment of gun owners who follow the law. “This is just a common sense approach,” she emphasized. “We’re protecting everyone’s constitutional rights, including the Second Amendment.” With 27 or 28 states already embracing some form of constitutional carry, she argued, it’s time for the law to catch up with national trends.
Blue State Blowback Expected
Of course, as both Hageman and Kirk acknowledged, the road ahead is likely to be bumpy. Hageman predicted that states like New York, California, and Illinois will challenge the law in court, citing their own authority to regulate firearms access. “You will see lawsuits filed,” she said bluntly, adding that those states “will argue that they have the right to restrict gun use and access.”
William Kirk agrees. He warned that if the bill passes, “certain states…are going to push back.” That’s especially true when it comes to magazine capacities and ammunition types. For example, HR 38 allows gun owners to carry their standard-capacity magazines and self-defense ammunition – even in states that currently ban them. As Kirk notes, New Jersey bans hollow-point ammunition, but under this law, an out-of-state carrier could legally bring it in, creating a legal conflict ripe for court battles.
The Supreme Court Angle
Hageman also pointed to the evolving Second Amendment jurisprudence at the Supreme Court level, suggesting that the current bench may be favorable to this kind of legislation. “This particular Supreme Court has been quite clear,” she said, “in recognizing that the Second Amendment is not some kind of secondary right.”
Indeed, the Court’s 2022 decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen significantly expanded the legal framework for evaluating gun laws, mandating that modern gun regulations must be rooted in the nation’s historical tradition. That ruling could provide a sturdy legal foundation for defending HR 38 if challenged.
Why National Reciprocity Is Overdue
According to Kirk, the need for a national reciprocity law is “grotesquely and long overdue.” The patchwork of state laws currently creates confusion and legal risk for gun owners traveling across the country. In his words, “constitutional rights are not supposed to end at state lines.”
He also emphasized the practicality of the law. Imagine a law-abiding citizen from Arizona driving through New Mexico and Texas on vacation. In today’s legal landscape, they could inadvertently violate local gun laws simply by crossing a border. HR 38 would end that inconsistency – at least in theory.
A Common-Sense Comparison: Driver’s Licenses
Supporters of HR 38 often compare concealed carry permits to driver’s licenses. “You don’t lose your driver’s license rights just because you crossed into another state,” Hageman said. So why should your ability to defend yourself with a legally-owned firearm vanish at the state line?
That analogy resonates with many Americans, even those not particularly involved in gun culture. If anything, it reveals the absurdity of a system where someone can be a lawful carrier in one state and a criminal in another – simply for crossing a border with a tool they’re licensed to use.
Can the Senate Deliver?
The big question is whether HR 38 can pass the Senate, where Democrats still hold a slim majority and where moderate Republicans may hesitate to support the bill. Kirk notes that the bill “has more than just pie-in-the-sky potential” now that it’s made it through House markup, but its chances in the Senate remain uncertain.
“There may be an amended version of this,” he suggests, “that could not only get out of the House but perhaps entice enough Senate votes to actually get it to the president’s desk.” That’s a tall order – but not impossible, especially with growing public frustration over inconsistent gun laws.
The Legal Catch: What Counts as a Handgun?
One of the most contentious issues in HR 38 involves the definition of “handgun.” The bill includes not just the firearm itself, but also its magazine and ammunition. That language could effectively override state-level restrictions on magazine capacity, and possibly ammunition types, such as hollow points.
Kirk explained that under this bill, a person could “carry just about any type of handgun with just about any kind of magazine in any state under this law.” That provision is likely to spark legal challenges from states with strict bans, and could become a sticking point in future amendments.
Public Support and Grassroots Momentum
Despite the legal and political complexities, momentum for national reciprocity continues to grow. Grassroots gun owners and Second Amendment organizations have long supported the idea. While the NRA has become politically radioactive in recent years, other advocacy groups – such as Gun Owners of America and the Firearms Policy Coalition – may step in to rally support.
The fact that the bill has made it out of committee is a signal to the broader community that now is the time to speak up. As Kirk reminded his viewers, “this bill is now actually gaining attention…and the math is there for this to pass out of the House.”
It’s About Time
There’s no guarantee that HR 38 will survive the legislative gauntlet ahead. Blue states will push back. Courts will be involved. Compromises may be required. But the core principle behind the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act is simple and powerful: your rights should follow you wherever you go in America.
Congresswoman Hageman and William Kirk have both outlined the stakes and the opportunity. For those who care about the Second Amendment, this could be a turning point. And for anyone tired of wondering which states will treat them like criminals, HR 38 is a long-overdue step toward national consistency and fairness.
A former park ranger and wildlife conservationist, Lisa’s passion for survival started with her deep connection to nature. Raised on a small farm in northern Wisconsin, she learned how to grow her own food, raise livestock, and live off the land. Lisa is our dedicated Second Amendment news writer and also focuses on homesteading, natural remedies, and survival strategies. Lisa aims to help others live more sustainably and prepare for the unexpected.