North Kentucky News

Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) has introduced H.R. 9534, the National Constitutional Carry Act, aiming to protect Americans' Second Amendment right to carry firearms in public spaces across all states.

"I’m fortunate to live in a state where people are free to exercise their right to keep and bear arms without begging the government or paying a fee," said Rep. Massie. "Unfortunately, not every American enjoys the same right to carry firearms in public because some states and localities infringe upon this right through a variety of criminal, civil, and regulatory penalties. By prohibiting state or local restrictions on the right to bear arms, H.R. 9534 upholds the original purpose of the Second Amendment—to ensure the security of a free state—while safeguarding individual liberties against government infringement."

The proposed legislation includes two main provisions: it prohibits any state or political subdivision from imposing criminal or civil penalties on eligible individuals carrying firearms in public and invalidates existing state or local laws that criminalize or penalize such actions. The bill covers all fifty states as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and other U.S. territories.

The National Constitutional Carry Act has received endorsements from prominent gun rights organizations such as the National Association for Gun Rights (NAGR) and the American Firearms Association (AFA). Hunter King, Director of Political Affairs at NAGR, stated: “Currently, 29 states have adopted constitutional carry laws, yet contrary to the warnings of gun control advocates, there's no evidence of rampant violence or 'wild west' scenarios. Instead, crime rates either remain stable or show a decline. With numerous states affirming citizens' rights to bear arms without excessive government regulation, it's about time Congress follows suit."

Patrick Parsons, Executive Vice President of AFA, added: "For the past 15 years, anti-gun liberals have told everyone that states passing constitutional carry would experience violence like we haven't seen since the 'wild west' days. Twenty-nine states have proven them wrong, all while gun-control strongholds like DC, Chicago, and California have descended into violence and deadly chaos. AFA is proud to support Congressman Massie's efforts post-Bruen to help restore Second Amendment freedom to those across the country currently being deprived by their tyrannical governments."

Original cosponsors of the bill include Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R-ND), Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO), Rep. Josh Brecheen (R-OK), Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN), Rep. Michael Cloud (R-TX), Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA), Rep. Bob Good (R-VA), Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD), Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA), Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL), Rep. Barry Moore (R-AL), Rep. Nathan Moran (R-TX), Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN), Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN), Rep Tom Tiffany (R-WI) and Rep Randy Weber R TX