Senator Tim Sheehy introduces bill to allow special operators nationwide concealed carry

Published Aug 14, 12:00 PM UTC

Senator Tim Sheehy, a Montana Republican and former Navy SEAL, introduced the Special Operations Forces Concealed Carry Act on August 14, 2026. The bill would allow active and retired special operations forces personnel to carry concealed firearms nationwide, bypassing state restrictions, similar to privileges granted to law enforcement under the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act. The bill requires annual active-duty-level firearms qualification tests and a Justice Department concealed carry class. Representative Pat Harrigan filed a companion bill in the House. The article also notes controversy surrounding Sheehy, who initially told police he accidentally shot himself in a national park in 2015 but later claimed the injury occurred in Afghanistan due to a teammate's negligent discharge.