A moment with the Congressman
Clarifying conceal carry regulations
Rep. Jim Renacci
As a life-long member of the National Rifle Association, I understand that there are a variety of challenges to our Second Amendment rights. Too often, law-abiding Americans feel fear or uncertainty when they carry a firearm, especially when they travel. As a holder of a concealed-carry permit in the state of Ohio, I feel this familiar pang of anxiety when I travel with my firearm across state lines.
Although my permit is perfectly legal in Ohio, I frequently check to ensure that I am in compliance with the laws of other states who allow their own residents and residents from other states to conceal carry. Every state should have the authority to determine regulations for carrying within their borders and decide where people are and are not allowed to carry concealed in their state. States should also be able to determine how to enforce their laws. But we can do more to provide some certainty of mind to law-abiding firearm owners who choose to protect themselves.
All 50 states have passed laws allowing individuals to carry certain firearms in public but vary on the requirements for obtaining and issuing permits including the extent to which non-residents may obtain a permit in their state. Several states have reciprocity agreements to recognize the permits of conceal carry laws in other states including Ohio, which has reciprocity agreements with 36 states. These agreements ensure that out-of-state permits meet Ohio’s concealed handgun law and vice versa.
I am a proud cosponsor of the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, which would allow nonresidents of a state to carry firearms in states whose residents may carry concealed firearms. In 2016, 158,982 permits were issued in Ohio, giving the opportunity for many Ohioans to protect themselves and have peace of mind. Law-abiding citizens should have a right to concealed carry and should be able to travel freely between states without worrying about conflicting concealed carry reciprocity laws or burdensome civil suits. The Constitutional right to keep and bear arms should extend across state lines, and I will continue supporting legislation that aims to protect and defend the Second Amendment for all Americans.
Although my permit is perfectly legal in Ohio, I frequently check to ensure that I am in compliance with the laws of other states who allow their own residents and residents from other states to conceal carry. Every state should have the authority to determine regulations for carrying within their borders and decide where people are and are not allowed to carry concealed in their state. States should also be able to determine how to enforce their laws. But we can do more to provide some certainty of mind to law-abiding firearm owners who choose to protect themselves.
All 50 states have passed laws allowing individuals to carry certain firearms in public but vary on the requirements for obtaining and issuing permits including the extent to which non-residents may obtain a permit in their state. Several states have reciprocity agreements to recognize the permits of conceal carry laws in other states including Ohio, which has reciprocity agreements with 36 states. These agreements ensure that out-of-state permits meet Ohio’s concealed handgun law and vice versa.
I am a proud cosponsor of the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, which would allow nonresidents of a state to carry firearms in states whose residents may carry concealed firearms. In 2016, 158,982 permits were issued in Ohio, giving the opportunity for many Ohioans to protect themselves and have peace of mind. Law-abiding citizens should have a right to concealed carry and should be able to travel freely between states without worrying about conflicting concealed carry reciprocity laws or burdensome civil suits. The Constitutional right to keep and bear arms should extend across state lines, and I will continue supporting legislation that aims to protect and defend the Second Amendment for all Americans.