10 Questions for 2019 - Part 4 - Will we ever get 50 state reciprocity?

7. Will we ever get 50 state reciprocity for concealed weapons permits?

While I'm hoping my opinion isn't based upon wishful thinking my answers is yes, but not in 2019. Let's recap where we are, on December 6, 2017, the United States house of representatives passed HR38 by a cote of 231-198. This hotly contested bill had even conservative gun groups opposing. What gun owners have going for them is a President who ran on a pro-gun platform, saying: "The right of self-defense doesn’t stop at the end of your driveway, That’s why I have a concealed carry permit and why tens of millions of Americans do too. That permit should be valid in all 50 states. A driver’s license works in every state, so it’s common sense that a concealed carry permit should work in every state. If we can do that for driving – which is a privilege, not a right – then surely we can do that for concealed carry, which is a right, not a privilege." No less important is the fact that his son, Donald Trump Jr. is staunchly pro-gun and was seen walking the floor at last years Shot Show annual convention. Having the president's son as a gun rights advocate is another feather in the cap for getting 50 state reciprocity. After several high profile shootings in 2017 all the pollical will to push through pro-gun legislation was lost. With the midterms coming up, expect nothing from the Republicans as this would only rile up the Democratic base on this hot button topic and there are too many seats up for grabs. If the Republicans can keep control of both houses of congress, I could see Republicans making another attempt at passing a reciprocity bill prior to the 2020 presidential elections. The NRA and gun supporters came out in force to help get Donald Trump elected and this would seem like a gift to get them to come out and support his re-election campaign. That said, should the Republicans lose the house or senate in the midterms, you can kiss goodbye any pro-gun legislation being passed by an increasingly more liberal Democratic party.

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