Trump announces plans for national concealed-carry reciprocity

Donald Trump Jr. took to Instagram over the weekend to play a video of his father, President-elect Donald Trump, announcing plans for national concealed-carry reciprocity.

“Boom! My father just announced concealed carry reciprocity. The Second Amendment will stay and remain protected," Trump Jr. wrote Sunday.

The post then showed his father saying this:

"I will protect the right of self-defense everywhere it is under siege, and I will sign concealed-carry reciprocity. Your Second Amendment does not end at the state lines."

Trump has advocated for national reciprocity in the past, and it was part of his platform when he announced his candidacy in 2015. At the time, he pointed out that a driver's license is recognized from state to state, so a concealed-carry permit should be, too, calling it a right, not a privilege.

What that national reciprocity looks like remains to be seen, especially considering the major differences among the states' CCW laws.

Learn each state's CCW laws: Traveler's Guide to the Firearm Laws of the Fifty States

Here in Ohio, for the most part, concealed-carry liberties that applied to concealed handgun licensees also now apply to all who are legally allowed to carry a firearm. In states like Hawaii and California, on the other hand, residents must jump through hoops to obtain a CCW license.

Dean Rieck, Buckeye Firearms Association executive director, welcomed the sentiment but said his focus is on the Ohio General Assembly, especially after 80% of BFA-endorsed candidates won election to the state legislature.

"Over the last 20 years, BFA has moved Ohio from one of the least gun-friendly states to one of the most gun-friendly states," Rieck said. "But we still have more work to do."

Rieck also pointed out that Gov. Mike DeWine will have to announce a replacement for Sen. JD Vance, who will become Trump's vice president in January.

"We have communicated our wish to the governor that whoever replaces Vance must be someone with a track record of respect for the Second Amendment. We hope he takes our advice seriously given that the recent election demonstrated just how red Ohio really is outside of some deep blue, liberal cities."

We are keeping a close eye, as always, on national and state leaders.

Stay tuned!