Tim Sheehy introduces bill for nationwide concealed carry for special operators

Senator Tim Sheehy, a Republican from Montana and former Navy SEAL, has introduced the Special Operations Forces Concealed Carry Act. The legislation aims to allow eligible special operations service members and veterans to carry concealed firearms nationwide, bypassing varying state-level restrictions.

The bill seeks to grant these operators a legal status similar to that of active and retired law enforcement officers under the 2004 Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA). Proponents argue that special operators possess firearms training that meets or exceeds professional law enforcement standards and may face unique threats due to their sensitive deployments and counterterrorism missions.

To qualify, participants would be required to complete a Justice Department concealed carry class and pass annual firearms qualification tests at an active-duty level. Representative Pat Harrigan, a Republican from North Carolina, has filed a companion bill to support the measure.