The US House Judiciary Committee [official website] on Wednesday approved a bill [text, PDF] that would allow gun owners with state-issued concealed carry permits to carry their guns into other states that also allow concealed carrying.

The bill would amend chapter 44 of Title 18 [text] of the federal criminal code and require individuals be eligible to possess and transport a firearm under federal law, obtain a valid concealed carry permit from one’s state of residence, and carry a valid photo identification document.

Richard Hudson (R-NC), the bill’s original sponsor, stated [press release] “the patchwork of reciprocity laws and agreements between states is confusing and has caused law-abiding citizens … to unwittingly break the law and suffer arrest and detention. Even the most careful and knowledgeable concealed carry permit holders find it difficult to navigate the current maze of state and local concealed carry laws.”

As the first moving gun legislation in the House since the October Las Vegas shooting, the bill received 213 co-sponsors from 43 states, including 210 Republicans. The most came from Texas with 25, and 11 states including Nevada supplied only one representative in support.

The legislation now moves before the full House of Representatives.