H.R. 38: Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2025

H.R. 38 would let many people who can legally carry concealed in their home state do the same in other states. To qualify, you would need valid photo ID, you could not be barred by federal law from having a firearm, and you would need either a valid concealed-carry permit or legal authority to carry in your home state.

The bill applies in states that issue concealed-carry permits and in states that do not ban concealed carry for lawful purposes. It covers concealed handguns, and the bill says that includes magazines and ammunition loaded into the handgun or its magazine. It does not cover machine guns or destructive devices.

The proposal also changes what happens during a stop or arrest. Police could not arrest or detain you over carry-related state or local rules unless they have probable cause to believe you do not qualify under the bill. If you show facially valid documents, the bill treats that as initial proof that you do qualify.

If you raise the law as a defense in a criminal case, prosecutors would have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you were not covered. If you win, the court must award reasonable attorney's fees. The bill also lets people sue states or local governments for damages or other relief if they are denied rights created by the bill, with attorney's fees for prevailing plaintiffs.

H.R. 38 reaches beyond ordinary street carry. It says qualifying carriers would not be subject to the federal school-zone carry ban, and they could carry in public areas of six federal land systems: national parks, wildlife refuges, Bureau of Land Management land, Army Corps land, Bureau of Reclamation land, and Forest Service land.

States would still keep some authority. The bill does not override private property rules, and it allows states and local governments to keep firearm restrictions on their own property, buildings, installations, and bases.