House OKs GOP bill letting out-of-staters pack concealed guns in California

WASHINGTON — Responding to recent mass shootings in Las Vegas and Texas, the House passed GOP-backed legislation Wednesday that would allow people to carry concealed weapons across state lines if they have a permit to do so in their home state, regardless of laws such as California’s that tightly restrict carrying hidden weapons. All 14 California House Republicans, 13 of whom co-sponsored the legislation, voted “yes.” The bill passed on a mostly party-line 231-198 vote. The bill was paired with a modest update to federal law requiring background checks that would strengthen reporting requirements for gun buyers who have criminal backgrounds or a history of mental illness.