The US House of Representatives has unveiled legislation to grant nationwide concealed carry authority to active-duty and veteran special operations personnel.
Proposed by North Carolina’s 10th District Representative Pat Harrigan, the Special Operations Forces Concealed Carry Act would amend rules to include “qualified special operators” under the same framework that allows retired police to carry concealed firearms across state lines.
The bill applies to service members at paygrades E-5 through E-9, W-1 through W-5, and O-1 through O-10 who served in elite units, including Army Special Forces, the 75th Ranger Regiment, Navy SEALs, Marine Corps reconnaissance and scout sniper units, and Air Force special operations roles.
“Federal law already trusts retired police officers to carry concealed nationwide. That makes sense,” Harrigan stated. “But it makes no sense that an active or retired SEAL or Green Beret … has no equivalent recognition under federal law.”
Under the proposal, eligible individuals would receive permanent concealed carry authority without yearly firearms reassessments, provided they comply with existing federal restrictions.
The legislation also instructs the Pentagon and the Department of Veterans Affairs to issue standardized photo identification within 180 days and calls on the Justice Department to guide law enforcement on consistent credentials recognition across the country.
Supporters of the policy, including Texas-based humanitarian organization Atlas Rescue, said the measure reinforces the acknowledgement of the competency and commitment of special operations veterans and could support missions such as countering human trafficking.
“This bill … does not create new rights or weaken any safeguard,” Harrigan said.
“It simply extends an existing, proven framework to the warriors who have earned it more than anyone.”
