Sources within Congressman Poliquin’s office have informed TMCV that tomorrow morning Poliquin will announce that he is an original co-sponsor of a bill, H.R. 986, “To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide a means by which nonresidents of a State whose residents may carry concealed firearms may also do so in the State.” This bill is similar to a bill in the Senate, sponsored by John Cornyn of Texas. These bills attempt to provide reciprocity for all the States that have concealed carry laws.

TMCV was able to obtain this information after we contacted the Congressman in regards to the column I posted this morning analyzing the Constitutional Carry bill, which is being sponsored by Senator Eric Brakey, where I referenced Senator Cornyn’s bill at the National level. I asked Poliquin if he supported Cornyn’s bill. He replied that he did. That it was, in his words, a “no brainer”.

Soon afterwards TMCV received information from Poliquin’s staff on H.R. 986, his original sponsorship, and the bones of the bill. The bill, which is endorsed by the NRA, seeks to ensure that “ valid concealed carry permits issued in one State are for carrying concealed handguns in other States that recognize their own residents’ right to concealed carry”. The language in H.R. 986 works to protect the sovereignty of each State to deal with its own permits and regulations for firearms. The bill contains The Firearm’s Protection Act that protects citizens from unwarranted arrest, putting a clear burden on the State to show that the person did not comply with the law. This bill would also make Concealed Carry a judicially enforceable act, a civil right. It would also award attorney and court fees to plaintiffs and defendants, who win their cases, and provides opportunity for persons unjustly arrested to sue for damages.

Look for the formal announcement on Poliquin’s website tomorrow morning.