To amend title 18, United States Code, to establish nationwide concealed carry reciprocity for certain members of the Armed Forces, and for other purposes.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8855
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-15: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-15T19:01:02Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 8855
Purpose
This legislation amends federal law to extend nationwide concealed carry reciprocity to certain active-duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces, allowing them to carry concealed firearms across state lines under conditions similar to those already provided for qualified law enforcement officers.
Key Provisions
- Expansion of Eligibility: Modifies Section 926B of Title 18, United States Code, to include "qualified members of the Armed Forces" alongside law enforcement officers.
- Definition of Qualified Member: A member of the Armed Forces who is serving on active duty and has completed a military firearms qualification within the preceding 12 months.
- Identification Requirements: For military members, requires a valid Department of Defense common access card (or successor identification) plus documentary proof of a valid military firearms qualification.
- Section Heading Update: Changes the title of Section 926B to reference both law enforcement officers and members of the Armed Forces.
- Clerical Amendment: Updates the table of sections in Chapter 44 of Title 18 to reflect the revised section heading.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Extends the existing concealed carry reciprocity framework under the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) to active-duty military personnel meeting the qualification criteria.
- Introduces new definitions and documentation standards specific to military service members, while preserving the core protections and limitations for law enforcement officers.
- Does not alter the underlying restrictions or exemptions in Section 926B for other individuals or circumstances.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Requires the Department of Defense to maintain records of firearms qualifications for eligible members; may increase coordination between federal military authorities and state/local law enforcement regarding verification of qualifications.
- On Citizens: Provides additional legal protections for active-duty military personnel to carry concealed firearms nationwide, potentially affecting public safety dynamics in states with stricter concealed carry rules.
- On International Relations: No direct provisions or effects addressed in the legislation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Active-duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces who meet the firearms qualification requirements.
- The Department of Defense, responsible for issuing identification and qualification documentation.
- State and local law enforcement agencies, which may encounter military personnel exercising these carry rights.
- Federal courts and agencies involved in enforcing Title 18 provisions.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Reinforces federal authority to preempt certain state-level restrictions on concealed carry for a specific federal group, raising questions about the balance between federal and state powers under the Constitution.
- Aligns with broader interpretations of the Second Amendment by extending carry privileges to military personnel, though the bill itself does not reference constitutional provisions.
- Maintains existing exemptions and does not create new rights for non-qualifying individuals or address reciprocity for retired military members.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-15: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2026-05-15: Introduced in House
- 2026-05-15: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To amend title 18, United States Code, to establish nationwide concealed carry reciprocity for certain members of the Armed Forces, and for other purposes. — issued 2026-05-15 — PDF (3 pages)