Gun laws around the nation may soon change in seismic fashion should a Republican concealed carry proposal wind up on Trump’s desk.

National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Rich Hudson, R-N.C., wants to make it easier for law-abiding gun owners to pack heat when crossing state lines, he told DailyMail.com in an exclusive interview. 

Hudson, 53, has proposed a bill to dramatically shake up the status-quo for obtaining a concealed carry licenses, which vary by state.

His Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, if signed into law, would enable individuals with concealed carry licenses to carry a firearm in any state they please, as long as they follow local laws. 

In some states like Arizona, Utah and Texas, that is as simple as obtaining a state-issued ID.  

Speaking with DailyMail.com the lawmaker argued that he wants concealed carry licenses to be more like driver’s licenses — recognized by every state, though holder’s still must follow local laws.  

‘You know, when I come from North Carolina to D.C., I don’t have to stop at the Virginia state line and take a driver’s test to get a Virginia license,’ he said. ‘We ought to treat this concealed carry permits just like we do driver’s license.’

‘Anyone who’s who takes the time and puts the effort into getting a seal carry permit is a law abiding citizen, and the fact that they can become a criminal just by crossing a state line just doesn’t seem right,’ the NRCC chairman continued. 

North Carolina Republican Rep. Rich Hudson introduced a bill earlier this year to allow those permitted to carry concealed firearms in one state to have reciprocity to do so in other states 

The measure would allow those with concealed carry permits from states like Utah to concealed carry their handguns in New York and California

President Donald Trump has supported concealed carry measures. Last month he signed an executive order to speed up the permitting process in Washington, D.C., a place where it is notoriously difficult to obtain a concealed carry license 

The measure specifically allows people with state-issued concealed carry licenses or permits to conceal a handgun in any other state. It also allows residents of constitutional carry states to carry their firearm in other states. 

Currently, 29 states have constitutional carry laws on the books, meaning state issued IDs, in many cases, are the only permits needed to carry concealed.

Should Hudson’s law pass, Americans who have state issued IDs from constitutional carry states like Alaska and Idaho would be able to concealed carry in deep blue states like California and New York, which normally require concealed carry licenses. 

‘In the case of states with constitutional carry, a valid state-issued ID would qualify,’ as a concealed carry permit, Hudson shared. 

Still, those who choose to carry concealed must abide by local laws, like restrictions on magazine sizes. 

‘If I were to go to New York state, they have a limit on magazine size, and so I’d have to comply with that law,’ the Republican told DailyMail.com. 

In New York, for example, concealed carry license applicants must complete at least 18 hours of classroom and live-fire training and provide references to prove to the state they have ‘good moral character.’

In Texas, by contrast, residents who are at least 21-years-old and who can legally posses a handgun are allowed to concealed carry as long as no part of the firearm is visible.  

Concealed carry laws enable qualified citizens to covertly carry handguns 

Times Square in New York City was declared a gun-free zone by local lawmakers after the Supreme Court struck down a ruling restricting concealed carry in 2022

Hudson claims that the bill would even the playing field for those who want to carry concealed but have been restricted by onerous state laws that make the process of getting licensed difficult. 

He told DailyMail.com that he was inspired to introduced the bill after hearing about a single mother who was arrested for accidentally crossing state lines with a firearm she bought legally to defend herself and her children. 

Shaneen Allen, of Philadelphia, spent nearly 50 days behind bars after accidentally crossing into New Jersey with her firearm in her car. She later received a pardon from the governor to get her out of custody. 

Hudson hopes the effort will empower more women to carry concealed. 

‘Women are the fastest growing concealed carry permit holders in America because they want to be able to defend themselves and their family,’ he noted. 

To those in restrictive areas like Washington, D.C., or California, Hudson says this legislation would remove barriers and inconsistencies that have deterred people from carrying concealed. 

Liberal state residents who are over 21 could simply pay $62 online to get licensed to concealed carry in Utah and then use that permit to carry in say California or New York, where the process to obtain the license is way more difficult.

Todd Settergren of Setterarms gun shop in Walnut Creek, California, said he welcomes federal gun law changes as the Golden State’s restrictions, he says, have gone too far

A sign restricts patrons from carrying guns into this California business

Hudson noted how the House previously passed a version of the bill but that Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., did not allow the legislation to move forward. 

Now with the GOP supermajority in both chambers of Congress and Republican control over the White House, the effort is closer to becoming law than ever before. 

‘I believe the prospects of getting through the Senate are the best we’ve ever had,’ Hudson said. 

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican from gun-loving South Dakota where gun ownership per capita is third behind Wyoming and West Virginia, is supportive of the bill, Hudson told DailyMail.com. 

And most importantly the president is behind the effort, too.  

‘I’ve talked with the president, you know, he campaigned on this issue, so he will sign the bill,’ Hudson shared. 

President Trump has supported concealed carry measures. Last month he signed an executive order to speed up the permitting process in Washington, D.C., a place where it is notoriously difficult to obtain a concealed carry license 

Hudson said he hopes to get the bill through Congress and onto Trump’s desk by the end of summer. 

If he succeeds, concealed carry would presumably become much more widespread. 

To those who fear additional guns on the streets, Hudson pushes back, claiming criminals are not deterred by any gun laws, and that empowering law-abiding citizens to protect themselves is crucial. 

‘A criminal is not going to be concerned about whether it’s illegal when they conceal that handgun to carry in their daily lives or to commit a crime,’ the Republican shared.

‘Folks who go to the effort of legally concealed carry are the most law-abiding citizens among us,’ he continued.