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119-hr-8332119th Congress

Special Operations Forces Concealed Carry Act

Sponsored By: Representative Harrigan, Pat [R-NC-10]

In Committee

Summary

Grants federal concealed-carry authority to certain current and former U.S. special operations service members. The bill would define who counts as a “qualified special operator” and set ID, verification, and carry rules for them under 18 U.S.C. 926C.

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  • Qualified special operators: Would let current or former service members with a most recent paygrade of E5–E9, W1–W5, or O1–O10 and specified special-operations roles carry concealed under federal law. Their qualification would be permanent unless they lose honorable discharge status, their qualified special operator status, or federal eligibility to possess a firearm, and the bill removes any annual firearms qualification or separate firearms training certification requirement.
  • Defense and Veterans Affairs departments: Would require the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to implement a photographic ID program and verify honorable discharge and status within 180 days, while allowing valid service documentation to serve as proof before IDs are issued.
  • Law enforcement and legal effects: Would direct the Attorney General to tell law enforcement to accept official documents during an initial period and clarifies that qualified special operators remain subject to federal firearm restrictions. The bill would not create a new private right of action.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Concealed carry for special operators

If enacted, this bill would add a new class called “qualified special operators” who could carry a concealed firearm under federal law if they meet federal gun-eligibility rules. Qualified special operators would not have to do the yearly firearms qualification. Their carry authority would continue while they keep an honorable discharge (if applicable), maintain the special-operator status, and remain legally eligible to possess a firearm. The authority would end immediately if they lose those qualifications. They would need to show the DoD/VA photo ID or a government photo ID plus service papers when asked by police.

Defense and Veterans photo ID program

If enacted, the Defense and Veterans Affairs Departments would have 180 days to set up a photo ID for qualified special operators and to verify honorable discharge and status. Until that ID is ready, valid service papers like a DD-214 or military service record would count as proof for the carry authority. The Attorney General would have 90 days to tell law enforcement to accept those documents. The Departments could issue rules on how IDs are made and work with law enforcement.

No private lawsuits and severability

If enacted, the bill would say that if a court strikes down part of the law, the rest would keep working. The bill would also say it does not create any new private right to sue over failures to follow the law. Any remedies for violations would be limited to the existing remedies in federal law.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Harrigan, Pat [R-NC-10]

NC • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Collins, Mike [R-GA-10]

    GA • R

    Sponsored 4/20/2026

  • Rep. Crane, Elijah [R-AZ-2]

    AZ • R

    Sponsored 4/20/2026

  • Rep. McGuire, John J. [R-VA-5]

    VA • R

    Sponsored 4/29/2026

  • Rep. DesJarlais, Scott [R-TN-4]

    TN • R

    Sponsored 5/12/2026

  • Rep. Kennedy, Mike [R-UT-3]

    UT • R

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Van Epps, Matt [R-TN-7]

    TN • R

    Sponsored 5/21/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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