Published Aug 14, 2026, 2:24 PM EDT
Special Operations Veterans Could Carry Concealed Guns in All 50 States Under New Bills
New bills would let qualified special operations veterans carry concealed guns nationwide, extending protections now given to retired police.
A retired police officer who meets federal requirements can carry a concealed firearm across state lines under a law that has been on the books for more than two decades. A retired Navy SEAL or Green Beret generally can't claim that same federal privilege based solely on military service, regardless of how many years they spent training with and carrying weapons. New legislation in Congress would change that for some of the military's most highly trained veterans. Sen. Tim Sheehy, R-Mont., a former Navy SEAL, introduced the Special Operations Forces Concealed Carry Act this month, a Senate proposal that would allow qualified former special operators to carry concealed firearms nationwide under a framework similar to one already available to qualified retired law enforcement officers. Rep. Pat Harrigan, R-N.C., a former Army Green Beret, introduced a House version of the legislation in April. The proposals would represent a significant change for eligible special operations veterans who currently must navigate different state and local concealed-carry laws as they travel around the country. They also raise a broader question: Why should a former SEAL or Green Beret receive a federal concealed-carry privilege unavailable to other veterans, including those who may have spent careers in infantry, military police or other jobs involving extensive firearms training? The House and Senate proposals also differ in important ways, including who would qualify and what firearms training would be required.
