(Editor’s Note: Much of this information was included in the June 24 Update.)
By Tanya Metaksa
Latest developments— Fed. Legislative: H.R. 1222; Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt; S. 821; H.R. 1263; H.R. 8; H.R. 1112, S.8; Judicial: Sharp v. Bercerra; B&L productions, inc. et al.v. 22nd district agricultural association, et al. Kettler v. United States; Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania, v. Michael J. Hicks; Daniel Mitchell, et al, v. Chuck Atkins, et al, Livingston v. Ballard, Anderson v. City of Pittsburgh, Duncan v. Becerra; People of the State of Illinois, Appellant, v. Vivian Brown, Appellee; CT Supreme Court-Soto v. Bushmaster; SCOTUS grants cert in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. The City of New York: and Mark and Leah Gustafson v. Springfield, Inc.; State Legislation: California, Kentucky, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Washington, Texas
Federal
Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt announced a proposed expansion plus new hunting and fishing opportunities across 1.4 million acres managed by the US Fish & Wildlife Service.
President Trump signed H.R. 1222, the Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act into law May 10, 2019. The law now gives states more flexibility to use Pittman-Robertson Funds, to build new public ranges and improve existing ranges. This bill had been passed the US Congress in February.
At the NRA Annual Meeting President Trump signed a letter to the US Senate “requesting that it halt the ratification process and return the treaty to the Oval Office.” He then said once it is returned he would dispose of it.
- 821, the Freedom Financing Act, introduced on March 14, 2019 by Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and John Kennedy (R-LA), would prohibit financial service companies from discriminating against the firearms industry. This bill is a result of the Obama Administration’s Operation Choke Point where federal regulators went after banks and financial companies that did business with companies in the firearms industry. Just recently Rep. Carolyn Mahoney (D-NY) took the CEO of Wells Fargo Bank to task during a public hearing because he would not halt business with companies in the firearms field. Other federal legislators such as Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) have also gone after big banks on this issue.
H.R.1263, National Firearms Amendments Act of 2019, would drastically expand the number of different firearms covered by the National Firearms Act. The long arms covered by this proposal would include not only “assault weapons” but also rimfire rifles used for target practice and hunting small game.
H.R. 1296, the Assault Weapons Ban of 2019, was introduced by Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI) and 190 co-sponsors. This bill is similar to S.66 introduced by Sen. Feinstein. (See below).
H.R. 1112 turns the 3-day waiting period after which an FFL can transfer a firearm into an indefinite delay of purchase.
- 351, the Gun-owner Registration Information Protection Act (GRIP Act) to ensure federal funding cannot be used by states, localities, or any other organization to maintain gun registries, was introduced.
Transferring international small arms sales regulation from State Dept. to Department of Commerce: In May 2018 the Trump administration announced that the authority to approve international sales of small arms exports, including semiautomatic rifles and weapons that are .50-caliber and under would be transferred to the Department of Commerce from the State Department. The rule making has finally finished the cumbersome process, but Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) appears to be placing a “hold” on the rule. This will delay the process even further although it probably won’t stop it permanently.
- 69, The Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2019, was introduced by Sen. John Cornyn (TX-R) on January 10, 2019.
Assault Weapon Ban of 2019, S.66, was introduced by Sen. Dianne Feinstein and at least 25 other Democrats on Jan. 10, 2019.
S.193, to require the safe storage of firearms, was introduced by the two CT Senators. Firearms owners who fail to secure guns would face a class D felony, $500 fine and up to five years in prison, if the firearm causes injury or death.
S.202, A bill to provide that silencers be treated the same as firearms accessories, has been introduced by Senator Mike Lee (R-UT).
Judicial
Sharp v. Bercerra:
In 2016 the California legislature enacted SB880 and AB1135, the redefined “assault weapon” to include many legally owned firearms including those with “bullet buttons” and required persons to register such guns in order to keep them. Included in the bill language was a requirement for the DOJ to “create a functional ‘public-facing’ Internet based registration system for this purpose.” [https://www.firearmspolicy.org/sharp-update] The DOJ was unable to maintain such a website and thus many law-abiding gun owners were unable to comply with the registration law within the timeframe required. Thus in 2018 after the CA DOJ closed the website this lawsuit was filed by the petitioners and the Calguns Foundation; Firearms Policy Coalition; Firearms Policy Foundation; And Second Amendment Foundation. A motion to dismiss was filed by the DOJ and on June 25, 2019 Judge Morrison C. England, Jr., DENIED the motion.
B&L productions, inc. et al.v. 22nd district agricultural association, et al.
The Del Mar Fairgrounds Board of Directors voted in September 2018 to prohibit gun shows at the fairgrounds after December 31, 2018. As a result a lawsuit supported by the California Rifle and Pistol Association, the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and the National Rifle Association (NRA) was filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of California. On June 19, 2019 U.S. District Judge Cathy Ann Bencivengo issued a preliminary in junction that will allow the gun shows to continue at the fairgrounds until the court rules on the legality of the suspension.
Kettler v. United States:
SCOTUS refused to hear a case from Kansas that would have tested the premise that the Second Amendment should apply to firearm accessories such as suppressors.
Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania, v. Michael J. Hicks:
This case was brought to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court (PSC) by the defendant, Michael Hicks. Mr. Hicks, a Pennsylvania citizen who although he had a Right-to-Carry permit was apprehended by the Allentown police after they were notified that a man had a firearm in the parking lot of a gas station. The police arrived and did a “stop and frisk.” He was arrested and subsequently convicted of a “DUI”. Mr. Hicks appealed and his appeal was denied by the Superior Court. He then “sought allowance” to the PSC. The PSC took the case because they wanted to consider whether the Superior Court’s application of ability of the police to “stop and frisk” based on the report of a firearm “comports with the requirements of the Fourth Amendment.” The PSC was very clear in dismissing the charges against Hicks stating, “possession of a concealed weapon in public creates a reasonable suspicion justifying an investigatory stop in order to investigate whether the person is properly licensed.”
Daniel Mitchell, et al, v. Chuck Atkins, et al:
This is the lawsuit that is being supported by the Second Amendment Foundation and the NRA that seeks to declare that the sections 12 and 13 of I-1639’s amendments to Washington’s statutes are unconstitutional. The defendants sought to dismiss the plaintiff’s first amended complaint but were denied by US District Judge Ronald B. Leighton.
Livingston v. Ballard:
This is a lawsuit against the state of Hawaii’s “de facto ban on all manner of carry by ordinary citizens.” It was filed in March 2019.
Anderson v. City of Pittsburg:
This lawsuit challenges the Pittsburgh ordinance that bans the carrying of magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition based on Pennsylvania’s firearms preemption statute.
Duncan v. Becerra:
challenges Section 32310, which states that persons not only cannot use magazines holding 10 or more rounds, but cannot “keep property they lawfully acquired.” On Mar. 29, 2019 Judge Benitz invalidated the 10-round limitation on magazine capacity, by ruling “California Penal Code section 32310 is hereby declared to be unconstitutional in its entirety and shall be enjoined.” However, as of Apri 5, the restrictions against magazines that hold 10 or more rounds are back in place. “For those persons who have manufactured, imported, sold or bought” such magazines between March 29, 2019 and 5:00 pm April 5, 2019 the injunction remains in place. History of the case: On June 13, 2017 a motion for a preliminary injunction was filed and on June 29 Federal Judge Benitez, granted the injunction stating, “If this injunction does not issue, hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of otherwise law-abiding citizens will have an untenable choice: become an outlaw or dispossess one’s self of lawfully acquired property. That is a choice they should not have to make. Not on this record.” The decision was appealed to the United State Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. On July 17, 2018 that Court affirmed Federal Judge Benitez’s suspension of the enforcement of this law. The Court also sent the case back to Judge Benitez to rule on the law itself. It is very likely that California will appeal his decision back to the full Ninth Circuit which has been hostile to Second Amendment cases. Given that judicial history this case is likely to be appealed to the US Supreme Court.
People of the State of Illinois, Appellant, v. Vivian Brown, Appellee. Appeal, Circuit Court:
In Feb. 2018 the Circuit Court of the Second Judicial Circuit, Illinois, found that the requirement to have a Firearms Owner ID card in order to legally possess a firearm in the home for self-defense was unconstitutional. Several motions to reconsider were filed and the Court denied the motion to reconsider on Oct. 16, 2018. The state of IL appealed to the IL Supreme Court on Nov. 11, 2018. Two extensions have been granted with the March 2019 being the final one that ends on April 26, 2019. If the IL Supreme Court upholds this decision the only remaining appeal by the State of Illinois would be to the US Supreme Court.
Soto v. Bushmaster:
The Connecticut Supreme Court in a divided 4-3 ruling allowed the Soto v. Bushmaster case to proceed. This case was brought by the survivors and representative of the students massacred in 2012 at Sandy Hook Elementary School. The families of nine of the victims and a teacher filed a lawsuit in Dec. 2014 against Remington, the distributor and the gun dealer that sold the AR15 to Adam Lanza’s mother. A hearing was held on Feb. 22, 2016 on Remington’s motion to dismiss the case. On Oct. 14, 2016 Judge Barbara Bellis dismissed the case ruing, “This action falls squarely within the broad immunity provided by PLCAA.” PLCAA is the federal law that gave limited immunity to firearms manufacturers from frivolous lawsuits that were initiated to bankrupt the industry. However, it did allow for exceptions such as marketing products that are defective or being in violation of a marketing law “causing the plaintiff’s injuries.” This latter exception is what 4 of the 7 CT Justices used to allow the case to proceed. The CT Unfair Trade Practices Act (CUTPA) prohibits “unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices in the conduct of any trade or commerce.” The plaintiffs alleged the advertising used military language and symbols to appeal to potential school shooters and violent criminals. Bushmaster/Remington, the defendants, has the option of appealing this decision to the US Supreme Court. But this case has re-opened the door to more litigation against the firearms industry. The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) issued a statement that said, “The majority’s decision today is at odds with all other state and federal appellate courts that have interpreted the scope of the limited exception, which is contrary to legislative text, canons of statutory interpretation and the legislative history of the PLCAA.”
Pullman Arms, Inc.; Guns and Gear LLC; GRRR! Gear, Inc.; and National Shooting Sports Foundation, Inc., v. Maura Healey, AG for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts:
This case was brought by 3 firearms dealers and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) after Attorney General Healey in July 2016 issued an enforcement notice that included firearms which were alleged “copies or duplicates” of prohibited firearms. The lawsuit was filed in Sept., 2016 and Healey moved to dismiss Jan. 2017. March 14, 2018 the US District Court, District of Massachusetts denied Healey’s motion allowing the Plaintiffs to proceed that “the Enforcement Notice is unconstitutionally vague and that it deprived Plaintiffs of property without due process.” As another case on this matter is in state court, Healey again moved to stay this case on the basis of the state court case. On Mar. 8, 2019 District Judge Timothy S. Hillman, denied Healey’s motion to dismiss.
New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. The City of New York:
The US Supreme Court (SCOTUS) has agreed to hear this case that deals with the fundamental right to travel with a firearm. NY City law currently only allows a city resident to take a handgun outside her home to visit a shooting range within the city limits. Now the NY State legislature is promoting a law they hope would make this SCOTUS case moot—S.6151. See State legislation—New York.
Damien Guedes, et al v. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, et al:
As a result of the DOJ rule concerning “bump” stocks a lawsuit has been filed by bump stock owner Damien Guedes and Firearms Policy Coalition, Firearms Policy Foundation and the Madison Society Foundation to seek a preliminary injunction to stop the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) from enacting the ruling. The plaintiffs argue that
- A “Bump” stock is NOT a “machine-gun” and 2. Acting Attorney General Matthew Whittaker is not legally the “acting” Attorney General.
Peña, et al. v. Acting CA DOJ Bureau of Firearms Chief Martin Horan:
This case was/is a challenge to the California Handgun Roster Microstamping Requirement. On Dec. 28, 2018 attorneys Alan C. Gura, the lead attorney on the Heller case, and Donald Kilmer filed a petition for Supreme Court review in a federal Second and Fourteenth Amendment lawsuit challenging the State of California’s handgun roster and “microstamping” laws. The Calguns Foundation, an institutional plaintiff in the case, is joined by Second Amendment Foundation and four individuals. A copy of the petition for certiorari can be found at https://www.calgunsfoundation.org/pena.
State Legislation
All 50 state legislatures are in session in 2019.
As of July 1, 2019 the following states have adjourned: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming.
California:
Beginning July 1, 2019 all ammunition transactions are subject to a background check with a federally compliant REAL ID, plus a “spot background check” at a cost of $1, and all hunters must use non-lead ammunition. On June 28, 2019 The Ventura County Fairgrounds held a meeting on “Gun Show Policy.” After a long discussion of the B&L productions, inc. et al.v. 22nd district agricultural association, et al. decision, the Board voted to continue to allow gun shows with existing contracts, but will make decision about future gun shows at some time in the future. During the week of June 23, 2019: The Senate passed AJR4 encouraging Congress to pass Background Checks Act of 2019. The Senate Appropriation Committee passed AB893, prohibit sale of firearms and ammunition at Del Mar Fairgrounds after Jan 1, 2021; the Senate Public Safety Committee passed AB879, mandating the state require firearms parts be sold/transferred through a licensed parts dealer, and rescheduled AB1297, removing the maximum fee limit that a local government can charge for an application for a Right-to-carry application, for a July 2 date; and the Assembly Public Safety Committee passed SB61, make all firearms purchases subject to a one-gun-a-month limit and deny citizens under the age of 21 the ability to purchase center-fire semi-automatic rifles; and SB172, expanding the penalties for not storing firearms according to the current law; it rescheduled SB120, increase the penalty for violation of firearms transportation statutes to include a 10-year prohibition on firearms ownership to July 9. Previously the Senate Public Safety Committee passed AB12, extending Gun Violence restraint order duration from one year to five years; and AB61, expanding those persons who can file “gun violence restraining orders,” while the Assembly Appropriations Committee passed SB220, increasing mandatory storage requirements for licensed firearms dealers. SB220 heads for the Senate floor joining AJR5, encouraging Congress to use California as a model for gun legislation. On May 28 the Assembly passed AB1669, raising the DROS fees added to the cost of a firearm’s purchase. The following bills have been passed by the Assembly and Senate Appropriation Committees before their deadlines: AB284, keep the jr. hunting license; AB18, a $25 excise tax on the purchase of a firearm; AB688, mandatory storage requirements for firearms in vehicles; AB1064, allowing local governments to further restrict licensed firearms dealers; AB1254, prohibit bobcat hunting, trapping or taking;. In April the Assembly passed AB12, extend Gun Violence restraint order duration from one year to five years. In March the Senate governance and finance Committee passed SB281, prohibit sale of firearms and ammunition at a facility controlled by 1-A Agricultural Association (Cow Palace) after Jan 1, 2021;
Colorado:
The Colorado legislature has adjourned. Gov. Jared Polis signed HB19-1177, “red flag” legislation, allowing the seizure of firearms without due process.
Connecticut:
The Connecticut legislature has adjourned. Gov. Ned Lamont signed: HB7218, that mandated storage of firearms in a securely locked box if minors (under the age of 18) were able to gain access and the made the violation a class D felony, HB7219, mandating any personally manufactured firearm must have a state-issued serial number that is engraved onto the firearm, and HB7223, mandating the storage of an unattended hand gun in a locked safe in a motor vehicle.
Delaware:
SB68, banning the most commonly owned semi-automatic firearms, SB70, banning any magazine that holds more than 16 rounds of ammunition, and SB82, (a replacement for SB69) requiring training and a permit to purchase a firearm in Delaware are awaiting action in the Senate Executive Committee. HB63, a mandatory storage bill with draconian requirements for the gun owner, passed 22-19 in the House on Mar. 26.
Florida:
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB5, that included an amendment ensuring that amendments to the Florida constitution are supported by Florida residents. According to the Tallahassee Democrat “the bill will soon require people gathering petitions to register with the state and live in Florida, effectively eliminating a sort of cottage industry that specializes in crafting constitutional amendments and guiding them through the referendum process. It also forbids paying canvassers by how many voter signatures they gather.” SB7030, expanding the Guardian program to allow trained teachers to be armed, has passed the legislature and was signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. Ban Assault Weapons Now!, an organization by survivors of mass shootings in Orlando and Parkland, announced June 10 that it had obtained 103,000 signed petitions. This number should allow a Florida Supreme Court review of the proposed ballot question, a first step in the process of being put on the 2020 ballot.
Georgia:
The Georgia legislature has adjourned. SB72, repealing hunting prohibition in Wildlife Management Areas, passed the legislature and has been signed by Gov. Brian Kemp.
Hawaii:
The Hawaii legislature has adjourned. Gov. David Ige signed HB720, mandatory firearms theft/loss reporting, SB1466, establishing Gun Violence Protection Orders without due process, and SB600, raising the minimum age for bringing a firearm into the state to 21.
Illinois:
SB1966, adding many more restrictive provisions to the FOID cards and giving bureaucracy almost unlimited powers, passed the House 62-52. It now goes back to the Senate for consideration. Other bills under consideration: SB337 will create an electronic firearms transfer form that will lead to an electronic firearms registry. HB1467, to require the registration of all ammunition sales; SB107, a comprehensive ban on firearms and accessories; HB174, set requirement for reporting of firearms loss or theft; HB888, require FOID applicants to list social media accounts; revoke FOID cards if guns are reported lost in 3 incidents in 2 years; and HB892, ban firearms that include modern materials. SB44, a bill with just a title, by Sen. Michael Hastings, has just had an amendment (Senate Amendment 1 to SB44) added to have State Police designate “gun liaison officers” that would have the authority to seize Firearm Owner Identification Cards (FOID) and then seize all ammunition and firearms.
Kansas:
The Kansas legislature is adjourned.
Kentucky:
Constitutional carry becomes effective July 1.
Louisiana:
The Louisiana legislature has adjourned.
Maine:
The Maine legislature has adjourned. All gun control measures were defeated. Gov. Janet Mills signed LD79, An Act to protect Shooting Ranges.
Michigan:
HB4434, deducting the penalty for those that forgot to renew their Right-to-Carry Permits to a civil fine rather that a felony, passed the House 90-19.
Missouri:
The Missouri legislature has adjourned.
Nebraska:
The Nebraska legislature has adjourned.
Nevada:
Gov. Steve Sisolak signed AB291, an omnibus anti-gun bill that repeals firearms preemption statutes, criminalizes firearms modifications, and allow localities to establish gun-free zones. On Feb. 15 Gov. Steve Sisolak signed SB143, requiring background checks on private gun sales.
New Jersey:
The legislative passed A1016/S101, requiring gun shops to sell “smart” guns, and it now goes to Gov. Phil Murphy for his consideration. He is expected to sign it. Other bills that were passed by the Assembly Judiciary Committee include: A3696, mandatory storage of firearms, A5452, requiring training to get a Firearms Identification Card(FID); A5453, further criminalizing the transfer of firearms to disqualified purchasers; A5453, criminalizes the purchase and possession of firearms and ammunition by prohibited persons; and A5455, regulating the sale of handgun ammunition.
New Hampshire:
On June 27 HB564, criminalizing the carrying of guns in cars on school property, was approved by the House. Earlier the House concurred with the Senate on supporting HB109, banning the private transfer of firearms; HB514, a 7-day waiting period before taking possession of a purchased firearm; and HB696, allowing for seizure of firearms without due process. These bills now go to Governor Chris Sununu.
New Jersey:
AB1016/S101, mandating that firearms dealers offer “smart guns” for sale was passed by the legislature. It now goes to anti-gun Gov. Phil Murphy who is expected to sign the bill. The Assemby Judiciary Committee held a hearing and then on June 13 passed a series of anti-gun bills: A3696, mandatory storage requirements; A5452, requires mandatory training to obtain a Firearms ID card (FID) and renewal every 4 years; A5455, requires electronic reports of firearm information and regulates the sale of ammunition.
New York:
In an attempt to moot the New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. City of New York before the US Supreme Court the Senate Codes Committee has passed S.6151, legislation that gives New York City the authority to “authorize” where New Yorkers can take their firearms. The following bills passed the NY legislature along party lines—Democrats voting in favor and Republicans, for the most part, voting against: NY S2857A, requiring firearms owners to carry $1 million dollars of liability insurance; S.1414/A763, banning the 3-D printing of firearms; S2374/A2690, extends current waiting period after a NICS check comes back inconclusive from the current 3-days to 30-days; S2448/A2684, an expansive bump stock ban; S2450/A2686, mandatory storage law; and S2451/A2689, establishes an Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPO).
North Carolina:
The NC Wildlife Resources Committee (WRC) will be holding public hearings regarding Sunday hunting. In 2017 the legislature legalized Sunday hunting, but the WRC has yet to propose rules to enable Sunday hunting.
Ohio:
HB178, a constitutional carry bill, was approved in the House Federalism Committee. In the past year 69,375 new carry licenses and almost 100,000 renewals were issued.
Oklahoma:
HB2597, a constitutional carry bill, was signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt.
Oregon:
The Oregon legislature adjourned June 30. The Oregon Senate Minority Caucus was successful in stopping both the passage of an environmental measure and SB978 that included the
-1 Amendment, an omnibus gun control package that includes parts of HB2551, mandatory and restrictive firearm storage requirements, increased Right-to-Carry permit fees and other restrictive provisions.
Pennsylvania:
The Senate passed SB147, allowing Sunday hunting, by an 36-14 vote. SB531, enhancing the Pennsylvania preemption laws, passed the Senate Local Government Committee 7-4 on April 30, 2019.The City of Pittsburgh has passed several ordinance that would ban so-called “assault weapons,” ban magazines with a capacity of 10 rounds or more, and allow the seizure for firearms from those deemed too dangerous to own them. The Senate Game and Fisheries Committee passed SB147, allowing Sunday hunting by an 8-3 vote.
Rhode Island:
The Senate Judiciary Committee voted to send S84, banning undetectable firearms, to the full Senate for a vote, while the hearing for S595, a bill to make firearms dealers report to the state police all firearms transfers, was postponed.
South Carolina:
The South Carolina legislature has adjourned.
South Dakota:
Constitutional carry is NOW the law.
Tennessee:
Gov. Bill Lee signed HB1264/SB705, setting up a less cumbersome and less expensive Right-to-Carry system.
Texas:
The Texas legislature has adjourned. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on May 24, 2019 issued an opinion that was requested by Sen. Donna Campbell regarding current Firearms Preemption Law in Texas. He ruled the the proposed San Antonio City Council proposed ordinances restricting where gun stores could be located would be prohibited by current Texas firearms preemption statutes. Gov. Greg Abbott signed HB302/SB19, protecting the Second Amendment rights of tenant to possess firearms in their residential units and HB1387 removes the cap on the number of school marshals that may be appointed per campus. In June Gov. Abbott also signed: HB121, provides a legal defense for Right-to-Carry Permittees that unknowingly enter establishments that ban firearms; HB1143, limiting how school districts may regulate firearms stored in private vehicles on school grounds; HB1177, closes loopholes in current “wrongful exclusion” law to allow carrying a firearm during a declared state or local disaster; HB1791, closes a “loophole” that allowed governments and agencies to restrict Right-to-Carry Permit holder from government buildings; HB2363, modified the current firearms storage requirements in foster homes; HB3231, making firearms preemption rules apply to counties as well as cities; SB535, allowing places of worship to decide if they want to allow Right-to-Carry Permittees to exercise their Second Amendment rights; SB741, prohibiting property owners’ associates from infringing on Second Amendment rights; and SB772, making it more difficult to institute civil lawsuits against businesses that do not post “guns not allowed” signage.
Vermont:
Gov. Phil Scott vetoed S.169, which contains parts of S22, creating a 24-hour waiting period for the purchase of a handgun and includes the fixes—S1, S2, S3 and S13—to last year’s magazine ban.
Virginia:
Gov. Ralph Notham has called the legislature back into session on July 9 to deal with “gun violence” following the Virginia Beach shooting tragedy.
Washington:
I-1639The Department of Labor and Industries released a new draft of lead rules for ranges, which are burdensome for shooting ranges throughout the state. More meetings are expected to be held to discuss the proposed regulation. The Department of Licensing held a public hearing on June 4 to set the fee required by I-1639 requirement to process firearms transfer. This fee would be in addition to any other fees charged the purchaser. The Washington legislature has adjourned. Gov. Inslee signed four anti-gun bills: HB1465, requiring Right-to-Carry permittees to undergo a state background check on handgun purchases instead of the instant NICS check from the FBI; HB1786, expanding protective order firearm seizures without due process; SB5027, expanding Washington’s existing Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPO) to include minors and others in a household with due process; SB5181, removing Second Amendment rights for those admitted to a 72-hour mental health evaluation for six months even if the individual is not subsequently involuntarily committed. Also Gov. Inslee signed HB1934 into law, allowing military members who are stationed or assigned out-of-state to renew their CPL by mail.
Wisconsin:
The new Democrat governor, Tony Evers, is already working on gun control measures.
