Trump Backs Extending National Concealed Carry Rules to Washington, D.C.

President Donald Trump said Friday he supports extending any future national concealed-carry reciprocity law to Washington, D.C., contending that residents of the nation’s capital should have the same ability to carry hidden firearms as people in states such as Texas. “I’m in favor of it. I’m a Second Amendment person. People have to be able to protect themselves,” Trump told reporters at a White House briefing on 22 Aug. Washington currently permits concealed handguns, but applicants must satisfy stricter eligibility, training and registration requirements than most states. National reciprocity legislation—under which a permit issued by one state would be honored in all others—has repeatedly stalled in Congress. Trump’s endorsement signals renewed White House interest in reviving the measure and could intensify clashes with gun-control advocates, who warn that looser standards would raise the risk of violence in the city. The president’s comments come as the administration pursues a broader anti-crime strategy in the capital. In March, Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to expedite D.C. concealed-carry applications and bolstering the local police presence with about 2,000 National Guard troops authorised to carry arms. Extending reciprocity to the District would require congressional action and is likely to face legal challenges from city officials who argue that D.C.’s home-rule authority allows it to set its own gun regulations.