10/31/2026
I’ve spent years hunting across state lines, and the rules still don’t make much sense to me.
In one state I can carry legally. Cross a border for a different season or a different piece of public land, and the same setup can suddenly put me on the wrong side of the law. I’m not talking about careless people. I’m talking about folks who already follow the rules at home and still have to sort through a patchwork of permits, reciprocity agreements, and local exceptions every time they travel.
Senator Mike Lee is pushing legislation that would let law-abiding gun owners carry concealed across state lines without needing a separate permit in each state. Supporters say a constitutional right shouldn’t change just because you cross a border. With more than half the states already allowing permitless carry, a lot of hunters and travelers are already living with one set of rules at home and another set everywhere else.
Critics say states should keep the authority to set their own public-safety rules, and that forcing recognition of out-of-state carry could undercut local laws.
I get both sides. I also know what it’s like to plan a hunt around seasons, land access, and gear, then still have to worry whether my carry setup is legal two hours down the road.
If you hunt, travel with a fi***rm, or just follow this stuff, where do you land? Should concealed carry be recognized nationwide, or should each state keep setting its own rules?