Congressman Carter released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 38, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017, with bipartisan support.

“Over one million Texans are licensed to carry a handgun, and they should be able to visit Louisiana, Oklahoma, or any other state and maintain their constitutional Second Amendment rights. Just as our freedom of speech doesn’t end when we cross state lines, Second Amendment rights for responsible gun owners shouldn’t either.

“As a retired judge and a member of the Congressional Second Amendment Caucus, I will always support legislation that defends Americans’ constitutional right to bear arms. Those that have met the qualifications to conceal carry and have continually followed the guidelines for responsible gun ownership, should be able to protect themselves and their family.

“Texans know the old saying: only a good guy with a gun can stop a bad guy with a gun. We saw it firsthand during the tragedy in Sutherland Springs, where a trained gun owner stepped in to end the threat. The shooter should have never been able to legally purchase a weapon, butthe relevant information was never relayed to the FBI to be added to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. Today’s legislation requires federal agencies to consistently submit information on individuals ineligible for gun ownership, so evil doesn’t slip through the cracks again.  

“Strengthening responsible gun ownership while improving the background check system is common sense, and I’m proud to join 230 of my colleagues in passing this legislation out of the House.”

Rep. Carter represents Texas District 31, which includes Fort Hood, the largest active duty armored military installation in the free world. He serves as Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Appropriations, co-chairman of the Congressional Army Caucus, is on the Subcommittee for Commerce, Justice and Science and the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee.

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