President Trump on National Concealed Carry Reciprocity "We are talking about that."

President Trump FBI presentation October 15, 2025

On October 15, 2025, the Trump administration held an FBI news briefing, which started at about 3 pm Eastern Time. At about 21 minutes and 43 seconds into the briefing, President Donald Trump was asked about national concealed carry reciprocity. Here is a transcript from x.com:

Brian:  further conversation to have national concealed carry applied to our actual D.C. like if you had a drivers license for Texas and you had a permit, of course you could drive…

President Trump:  “Well as you know, they have been talking about that for a long time. Its an interesting question. A lot of people feel strongly both ways. We are talking about that.”

President Donald Trump has said he would sign a national reciprocity bill if it came to his desk.  The second term for President Trump has been the most active administration in restoring Second Amendment rights of any president in history. There have been significant differences in bills which have been submitted to enact national carry reciprocity. The framework which appears most favored would preempt most states restrictions on the carry of firearms by non-residents. Here is an example of H.R. 38, as introduced in the House of Representatives in 2025:

This bill establishes a federal statutory framework to regulate the carry or possession of concealed firearms across state lines.

Specifically, an individual who is eligible to carry a concealed firearm in one state may carry or possess a concealed handgun (other than a machine gun or destructive device) in another state that allows its residents to carry concealed firearms.

It sets forth requirements for lawful concealed carry across state lines. The bill preempts most state and local laws related to concealed carry and establishes a private right of action for a person adversely affected by interference with a concealed-carry right established by this bill.

There are other versions of national reciprocity. During the legislative process there is considerable debate and negotiations, which can result in substantial amendments to bills, in order to obtain enough votes for a bill to pass. There are court cases which are challenging the authority of states to prevent non-residents from legally carrying firearms under the rights protected by the Second Amendment.

In California, lawsuits have resulted in a process where non-residents can apply for a California concealed carry permit.  In Massachusetts, the state supreme court dodged the issue.  A case by truck drivers has been filed in Minnesota, and dismissed by the District judge.

The Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled the Second Amendment is not a second class right, of the enumerated rights in the Bill of Rights.

Analysis: At some point the ability to exercise the rights protected by the Second Amendment across state lines will be addressed by Congress, the Supreme Court, or both. Much will depend on how the mid-term elections are concluded in 2026. If the Republicans gain substantial majorities, the chances of a bill similar to H.R. 38 passing are fairly good. If the Republicans lose a majority in either the House or the Senate, such a bill will not pass. This correspondent does not expect a challenge to a ban on non-resident carry to reach the Supreme Court for at least two years.

©2025 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

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