Anthony Segura, Executive Director of the New Mexico Shooting Sports Association (NMSSA), has called for Congress to pass National Concealed Carry Reciprocity legislation. This measure, he says, would ensure that law-abiding citizens retain their rights while traveling. Segura's statement was issued in a press release.
"Our right to keep and bear arms does not end at the New Mexico state line," said Segura. "Law-abiding citizens who have passed background checks and completed training shouldn't be treated like criminals for exercising their Second Amendment rights while traveling. This doesn't make anyone safer. It just punishes the very people who are most committed to following the law and protecting their families. This is not about weakening gun laws. It's about strengthening civil rights. The First Amendment doesn't stop at the border of Arizona or Texas, and neither does the Second."
Concealed carry reciprocity permits individuals with a concealed carry license from one state to legally carry their firearm in another state that recognizes that permit. Each state independently determines which out-of-state permits it will honor, resulting in a complex array of laws nationwide. The U.S. Concealed Carry Association provides an interactive map displaying current reciprocity agreements and related details.
As of June 2024, 29 states have enacted permitless carry laws, allowing most adults to carry concealed firearms without needing a permit. While these laws differ in specifics, they generally remove the requirement for a state-issued permit for concealed carry. Handgunlaw.us offers an updated list and summary of states with such policies.
According to a 2022 report by the Crime Prevention Research Center, there were over 22 million active concealed handgun permits in the United States at that time. Although the number of permits has increased over the past decade, growth has slowed as more states have adopted permitless carry laws.
Segura is the Executive Director of NMSSA, an organization established in 1935 that advocates for lawful gun owners' rights and promotes firearm safety and education within New Mexico. More information about Segura and NMSSA can be found on the association’s website.
