Manchin Sponsoring Nationwide Concealed Weapons Permit

{Washington, D.C.}...Senator Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., is sponsoring legislation that would allow citizens with a valid concealed weapons permit to carry a gun in any state that has a concealed-carry law. Manchin says this commonsense legislation would cut down on the layers of regulations facing law-abiding Americans who have the right to own guns and use them responsibly. West Virginia currently has concealed-carry reciprocity agreements with about 30 states, and 65,000 West Virginians hold concealed-carry permits. Manchin says the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2012, endorsed by the National Rifle Association, would allow any citizen with a valid carry permit to carry in any state that also recognizes a concealed weapons permit. The bill is co-sponsored by Senator Mark Begich, D-Alaska. Manchin says the bill would prohibit a resident who is ineligible for a concealed weapons permit in their own state to go to another state with less-restrictive rules to get a permit. A similar bill passed the House of Representatives last year with a vote of 272-164.