House passes Conceal Carry Reciprocity, Smith and Pallone vote No

The U. S. House of Representatives passed the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 today, 231-198 with six Democrats voting ‘Aye.’  Fourteen Republicans voted against the bill, including Chris Smith and Leonard Lance of New Jersey.  Congressman Frank Pallone, who along with Smith represents Monmouth County, voted against the bill.

“Today, the House took action to protect our citizens’ Second Amendment rights,” said House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., in a statement. “The truth is that concealed carry laws save lives. Right now, current law creates confusion for people who cross state borders with a lawful concealed carry permit. The legislation passed by the House today ensures that people who carry their legal firearm across state borders are protected under the law.”

“My bill is a simple, common sense solution to the confusing hodgepodge of concealed carry reciprocity agreements between states,” said Rep. Richard Hudson, R-N.C., the sponsor of the bill, “It will affirm that law-abiding citizens who are qualified to carry concealed in one state can also carry in other states that allow residents to do so.”

Permits to carry guns are rarely granted to civilians in New Jersey.   If the bill is passed in the U.S. Senate and signed by President Trump, New Jersey gun owners could carry their weapons legally if they have a permit from a state with less restrictive gun laws.