GOP senators introduce bill to expand gun owners' concealed carry privileges outside of home states

Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and other GOP senators introduced the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act on Thursday.

According to Kennedy's office, the legislation would "allow individuals with concealed carry privileges in their home states to exercise those rights in any other state that allows concealed carry so long as one exercises those rights within the limits of each respective state’s laws" on firearms.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation, the National Rifle Association and Gun Owners of America have endorsed the legislation.

“The Lone Star State has long championed our Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms, and gun owners in Texas and across the country should not have that fundamental right violated when they cross state lines," said Cornyn in a statement. 

"This legislation would reduce unnecessary burdens for law-abiding citizens and allow them to carry a concealed firearm in every state that permits it, and I’m grateful for the overwhelming support from my fellow Republican colleagues on this commonsense bill,” he added.