The Patriot Post® · Gun-Friendly Congress Takes Aim

When the new Congress arrives in January, “flyover country” can take solace in the fact it will be the most gun-friendly group of legislators in recent memory. President-elect Donald Trump promises to support measures that protect the Second Amendment, and Republicans are moving quickly to promote that agenda by ensuring gun issues don’t fall to the backburner. A major pillar of that effort will presumably come from the Congressional Second Amendment Caucus, which was revived by House Republicans last week.

“According to a statement from the office of Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., the congressman will be chairing the third iteration of the Congressional Second Amendment Caucus,” Fox News reports. “Earlier versions were active from 2004-08 and 2009-13.” Explains Massie, “The recent election results present us with a new opportunity to advance pro-gun legislation and reverse the erosion of the Second Amendment that’s occurred over the last few decades. I look forward to working with the new president and this determined group of conservatives to promote a pro-gun agenda.”

Among other measures, this exponentially increases the odds of passing the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, which Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) put back on the table. Republicans, so far to no avail, have fought to get this measure passed, including an effort by Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) last year. But a Trump administration makes it far more likely the GOP can finally pass it and with a presidential signature.

Hudson says, “Our Second Amendment right doesn’t disappear when we cross state lines, and I plan to introduce legislation in the first days of the 115th Congress to guarantee that.” He added, “The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 is a common sense bill to provide law-abiding citizens the right to conceal carry and travel freely between states without worrying about conflicting state codes or onerous civil suits.”

This is welcome news to folks like Shaneen Allen, a Pennsylvania concealed carry permit holder who risked jail simply because her permit, unbeknownst to her, was not welcome in New Jersey. It shouldn’t take a pardon from Gov. Chris Christie to clear her name. Hopefully, the GOP and Trump will soon ensure it never comes to that.