WASHINGTON – Congressman Bill Owens has voted in favor of a bill to allow people to carry concealed weapons across state lines.

The vote Wednesday night was on H.R. 822, the National Right to Carry Reciprocity Act, which would allow law-abiding gun owners to legally carry a concealed weapon when traveling from one state to another.

The legislation passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 272-154.

“Responsible gun owners deserve the clarity of law that allows them to take their legally-obtained property across state lines without the fear that they’ll be fined or put in jail,” said Owens.

“A national standard for the concealed carry law will encourage hunters to travel to New York and spend their money in our unrivaled hunting and tourism industry. This legislation will also allow those who are obeying the law by applying for a gun permit to continue to obey the law in every state.”

H.R. 822 is supported by the National Rifle Association. In a recent news release, the NRA reported that “the bill enhances Americans’ right to self-defense by enabling millions of permit holders to exercise their right to self-defense while traveling outside their home states.”

Currently, only 16 other states honor a New York concealed firearm permit within their borders.