National Reciprocity Will Save Lives

I live with a rare connective tissue disorder called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a genetic mutation that affects my joints, skin, and overall stability. My level of ability changes daily. Some mornings I can walk unassisted, other days I rely on a cane, braces, or even a wheelchair. I never quite know what my day will bring.

That uncertainty means I must always be prepared for the worst.

Most people think of that “preparation” in terms of medicine, mobility aids, or physical therapy. For me, it also means being prepared to protect myself. I don’t carry a firearm with the intent to harm anyone. I carry so that I will not be harmed.

A few years ago, I attended a public event in Arizona. Being a responsible, law-abiding citizen, I followed the rules: the venue prohibited firearms, so I left my pistol safely at home. A friend picked me up and dropped me off, and I didn’t think much of it.

Later that night, as I was waiting outside to be picked up, I noticed a man I’d met briefly through a dating app lingering nearby. He waited until I was alone, then approached me, insisting he could give me a ride home. I said “No, thank you” more than once. He didn’t listen. Instead, he grabbed my arm and began dragging me toward his car — the door already open.

In that terrifying instant, I realized what was happening: he was trying to abduct me.

And then, I realized something else. I didn’t have my firearm. I had no means to defend myself.

By some miracle, I managed to break free and get away. The fear and helplessness of that moment have never left me.

That experience was a clear reminder that evil doesn’t care about rules, signs or laws. It also reminded me that, as much as they want to help, the police can’t always get there in time. For people like me — who already live with physical vulnerability — being prepared to defend ourselves isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity.

That’s why I support the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act. This legislation ensures that law-abiding citizens who are licensed and trained to carry in their home state can legally protect themselves across state lines, just as they can drive across state lines with their driver’s license.

Today, a woman like me who travels for medical appointments or to visit family could become a criminal simply for crossing a border with a firearm. That makes no sense. Our constitutional rights — and our ability to defend ourselves — shouldn’t end at the state line.

Polling shows that most Americans agree with this simple concept. A recent Quantus survey found that 77 percent of Americans believe law-abiding citizens should be able to defend themselves rather than wait for police, and nearly two-thirds support making concealed-carry permits valid nationwide. The idea isn’t controversial; it’s common sense.

For me, this isn’t about politics or partisanship. It’s about survival. I may not know what my body will allow me to do tomorrow, but I do know this: I refuse to ever feel that helpless again. I carry because I value life — mine and others’ — and I want the law to recognize that my right to protect myself doesn’t change just because I cross an invisible line on a map.

Lauren Snyder is a civil paralegal with Attorneys for Freedom and a member of Women for Gun Rights. She lives in Arizona. She wrote this for InsideSources.com.

Reprinted with permission from DC Journal by Lauren Snyder.

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of AMAC or AMAC Action.