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Washington, D.C.- Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) announces the introduction of H.R. 9534, the National Constitutional Carry Act. Massie's constitutional carry legislation will ensure Americans' Second Amendment right to carry firearms in public spaces is protected throughout the country.

"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. Thomas 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."

Massie's legislation is composed of two major provisions. The first provision prohibits any state or political subdivision from imposing criminal or civil penalties on eligible individuals carrying firearms in public. The second provision invalidates any existing state or local laws, statutes, regulations, or local restrictions that criminalize, penalize, or otherwise dissuade the carrying of firearms in public. In addition to covering all fifty states, H.R. 9534 includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and other territories of the United States within its scope to ensure that residents of all U.S. jurisdictions enjoy consistent protection of their Second Amendment rights.

Rep. Massie's National Constitutional Carry Act is endorsed by prominent gun rights organizations, including the National Association for Gun Rights (NAGR) and the American Firearms Association (AFA). Representatives of these organizations offer the following statements of support for H.R. 9534:

“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," said Hunter King, Director of Political Affairs, National Association for Gun Rights. 

"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," said Patrick Parsons, Executive Vice President, American Firearms Association.

Original cosponsors of the National Constitutional Carry Act 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).

The text of Rep. Massie's legislation is available at this link. 

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