States and jurisdictions are scrambling to fall in line with new directives in light of NYSRPA v. Bruen. In some states, such as New Jersey, things are still a mish-mashed mess of many people on both ends of the application process just not sure what exactly to do. Then there are the real outlaws, like New York, who’s only move has been to make things more restrictive, or Hawaii, who seems to be stonewalling people while leaning on the Young GVR to put the final nails in their own coffin. While we’re all waiting for the ink to dry on how policies have changed, as well as new lawsuits combating dissenting jurisdictions, Senator Steve Daines (Republican from Montana) has reintroduced a carry reciprocity bill.

The bill, S.4501 – A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to provide a means by which nonresidents of a state whose residents may carry concealed firearms may also do so in the State, does not currently have its text available, but looking at Daines history, he’s either sponsored or co-sponsored a similar measure in the past. The notion of reciprocity throughout the entire country is not a new one. From statements from Daines in the 2017 and 2019 during introductions of similar bills, we can see he’s supportive of this enumerated right.

“It is our constitutional right to keep and bear arms,” Daines stated. “This bill protects Montanans’ constitutional freedoms and allows Montanans to exercise their rights when traveling across state lines.”

“As a concealed carry permit holder myself, I will always fight to protect Montanans’ Second Amendment rights,” Daines said. “This bill is commonsense – it simply allows Montanans to exercise their constitutional freedoms while traveling across state lines.”

While there has been no announcement or press release as of now from Daines office on this current version, we do have a statement that he delivered concerning the NYSRPA v. Bruen opinion.

U.S. Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement after the Supreme Court announced its decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen to uphold Americans’ right to keep and bear arms without having to prove a specific need to exercise their constitutional right.

“The United States Supreme Court’s decision today reaffirms what we already knew: the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. This decision puts an end to government intrusion into the lives of Americans looking to defend themselves and their families, and this is a huge win for law-abiding gun owners across America,” Daines said. “Americans should never have the burden to prove why they should be allowed to exercise their constitutional rights.”

Nationwide protections of concealed carriers needs to occur. This bill, given the title and former track record, is a true commonsense proposal and would mitigate the number of unwarranted arrests for victimless “crimes”. The largest hurdle going forward is that many of the states that don’t recognize other permits, and or have traditionally been hostile to firearm owners, is that punishments for breaking any of said laws usually come with stiff and draconian penalties. 

With the balance finally tipped in the favor of liberty, at least on paper, jurisdictions are going to be hard pressed to explain why a simple non-violent possession charge could lead to up to ten years in prison. In my opinion, they won’t be able to. 

In the meantime, nationwide reciprocity can help give relief to the unsuspecting American that just assumes the whole United States is actually United on what real civil liberties are. As this bill progresses, as always, we’ll be sure to give updates, should they be warranted.