Gun rights supporters are cheering Wednesday's passage of HR 38, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act. The measure allows those with concealed-carry permits to carry their weapons across state lines.
Republican Congressman Doug Collins of Gainesville was a co-sponsor of the legislation; he managed the rule debate for the legislation.
"Mr. Speaker, all of us in this body took an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution...and we all understand the Constitution enshrines our right to keep and bear arms in the Second Amendment," Collins said in a presentation to the House.
Ultimately, the measure passed the House by a vote of 231-198, with six Democrats voting with their Republicans colleagues.
Following the vote, Collins issued the following statement.
"As a member of Congress, I have a duty to uphold American liberties - including the right to bear arms - for current and future generations. I co-sponsored the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act because I believe the Second Amendment doesn't at state borders," Collins said.
"Our forefathers didn't cement our right to defend ourselves and our families as a philosophical exercise—they were protecting freedoms that they recognized as essential elements of our democracy. The Second Amendment will always be one of those foundational liberties, and today's vote affirms that."
A similar measure now moves to the US Senate, but top Democrats and gun-control advocates are expected to rally in opposition on Capitol Hill.
