Rep. Pat Harrigan (R-NC) is advancing legislation that would extend federal concealed carry authority to current and former members of U.S. military special operations forces.
The measure, formally titled the Special Operations Forces Concealed Carry Act, would treat elite warriors at least as favorably as retired law enforcement officers under federal law, according to Breitbart. Newsweek reported Friday that, via the Act, Eligible veterans and active-duty personnel would be granted nationwide concealed-carry privileges, effectively overriding state-level restrictions that can differ significantly from one jurisdiction to another.
Upon introducing the bill, Harrigan argued that federal policy is lagging behind common sense on the issue of self-defense for those who have already risked their lives for the country. Federal law already trusts retired police officers to carry concealed nationwide. That makes sense. But it makes no sense that an active or retired SEAL or Green Beret, someone who spent a career mastering firearms under the most demanding conditions in the world, has no equivalent recognition under federal law. This bill fixes that.
Harrigan further stressed that the proposal respects existing constitutional and statutory safeguards while recognizing the unique qualifications of special operators. He added, It does not create new rights or weaken any safeguard. It simply extends an existing, proven framework to the warriors who have earned it more than anyone.
Supporters see the Act as a logical extension of the Second Amendment for those most trained to handle firearms responsibly, while critics on the left are likely to resist any expansion of lawful carry. As Newsweek observed, If enacted, the law would represent a significant expansion of gun-carry rights for service members and veterans, creating a new nationwide benefit not currently available to most civilians.
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