Texas lawmaker joining E. Texas leaders to announce concealed carry reciprocity legislation

TYLER, TX (KLTV) - A Texas lawmaker says Second Amendment rights shouldn't stop at state lines. Senator John Cornyn is joining East Texas leaders and Second Amendment rights advocates Saturday to announce proposed legislation that would allow Texans with a concealed handgun license to carry legally in other states.

I think it's actually kind of a common sense provision, says gun rights advocate Dr. Scott Lieberman.

Senator Cornyn wants CHL holders to be able to protect themselves when they travel to other states.

You'd like to think that what's legal in one state should be legal in another state, says Dr. Lieberman.

Some states just don't recognize Texas' CHL, but Senator Cornyn's proposed Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act would fix that by requiring states to honor any other states' concealed carry permits.

Some people can be licensed to carry in one state, but when they cross the border they become a criminal, says Dr. Lieberman.

He says it's a lot like a driver's license.

You're licensed to drive in one state and you cross the border, you want to be able to keep on driving. I think it's the same thing for a concealed carry. If you're able to defend yourself in one state, it should be common sense that you should be able to defend yourself in any state, he explains.

Dr. Lieberman says it's also a balance between the Second Amendment and states' rights.

All the states became members of the United States by agreeing to certain principles. Those principles were outlined and agreed upon by all of these states in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. So, fundamental to being one of the states is accepting the Bill of Rights and ergo the Second Amendment, he says.

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Texas lawmaker joining E. Texas leaders to announce concealed carry reciprocity legislation