Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2025
This bill allows people who are legally permitted to carry a concealed handgun in their home state to carry that firearm in any other state that permits concealed carry. Travelers must have a valid photo ID along with their state carry permit or proof of eligibility under their home state's laws. While visitors must still obey rules prohibiting firearms on private property or inside government buildings, states cannot block out-of-state visitors from carrying, and individuals who are wrongfully arrested can sue state or local officials for damages and legal fees.
What this bill touches.
Who it helps · who it burdens.
Who it helps
- Concealed handgun permit holders and lawful carriersAllows individuals with valid state concealed carry permits (or those residing in permitless-carry states) and photo ID to carry concealed handguns in other states that allow concealed carry, on specified federal public lands, and in federal school zones. They also gain the right to sue for damages and attorney fees if their rights under this section are violated, and to recover legal fees if successfully defending themselves in criminal court.
Who it burdens
- State and local law enforcement officersProhibits officers from arresting or detaining individuals carrying concealed handguns with valid documentation without probable cause of noncompliance, and subjects officers and their agencies to civil lawsuits and damages for violations of these carry rights.
- State and local governmentsPreempts state and local concealed carry restrictions for qualified out-of-state visitors, and exposes state and local governments to civil liability, damages, and attorney fee awards if officials violate an individual's rights under this law.
- State and local prosecutorsRequires prosecutors in criminal proceedings to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a defendant did not satisfy federal reciprocity conditions whenever this law is raised as a defense, and subjects the government to paying the defendant's reasonable attorney fees upon a successful defense.
The provisions, in plain language.
Allows individuals who are federally eligible to possess firearms, possess a photo ID, and hold a valid state concealed carry permit (or reside in a state allowing permitless concealed carry) to carry a concealed handgun in any other state that allows concealed carry, starting 90 days after enactment.
Preserves state laws that allow private property owners or state and local governments to prohibit or restrict concealed firearms on their property or in government buildings.
Bars law enforcement from detaining or arresting individuals carrying under these rules without probable cause, requires prosecutors in criminal cases to prove noncompliance beyond a reasonable doubt, and awards attorney fees to defendants who successfully defend themselves under this law.
Authorizes individuals whose concealed carry rights under this law are violated by state or local officials to sue the government or officials in court for damages, other relief, and legal fees.
Exempts individuals carrying concealed handguns under these rules from federal restrictions on possessing firearms in school zones.
Allows qualified individuals to carry concealed handguns on federally managed public lands, including National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, Forest Service lands, and lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Army Corps of Engineers, or Bureau of Reclamation.