Shimkus Supports Passage of Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act

Congressman John Shimkus (R, Illinois-15) is praising the passage of H.R 38, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, which allows law-abiding citizens with a concealed carry permit in one state to carry in another state without the fear of breaking the law.

“The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act (HR 38) is a common sense solution and I am proud to be a cosponsor of the bill,” Shimkus said. “If you can legally carry in Illinois, you should be allowed to carry in other states.”

All 50 states and Washington D.C. currently issue concealed carry permits on some basis and the laws surrounding those permits vary by state. This legislation is a solution to the confusing reciprocity agreements between states that are currently in place.

Shimkus added, “This bill does not establish a federal permit or registry or anything like that. It just says that one state’s permit is good in another state…similar to your driver’s license.”

This bill does not increase access to firearms and it does not regulate how the states issue concealed carry permits. H.R. 38 allows permits to be recognized from state to state, as long as permit holders follow the local concealed carry laws.

Included in the package passed by the House is H.R. 4477, the Fix NICS Act. This bill ensures that federal and state authorities comply with existing law when reporting records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).