By Tanya Metaksa
What’s New—Constitutional Carry: South Carolina: S109 advances to a floor vote in the Senate; Colorado: SB279 banning custom firearms, so called “ghost guns” and was passed in the House and it now goes to a Gov. Jared Polis, who is expected to sign it. Florida: The Florida legislature has adjourned. The legislature passed SB214, that would stop the use of the gun store MCC and even fine the credit card companies $10,000 per violation. It was signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on May 12. However, HB1543 was not passed in the Senate before adjournment. Maine: On May 10 the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee held a work session: LD626 and LD1166 were not voted out. The Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee is holding work sessions on on May 16 and May 17 on several gun bills; Minnesota: SB2909, the omnibus gun control bill that contains both red flag gun confiscations and universal background checks, is currently in conference committee between the House and Senate versions; Missouri: With the clock winding down towards adjournment, the Senate has not yet voted on HB282; Minnesota: After a week of negotiations the Senate passed SF2909, a 522 omnibus public safety bill containing red-flag gun confiscation and universal gun registration, on a party-line vote. The House has adjourned until May 15, so there will not be a vote until then at the earliest; The City of St. Paul—A proposed Ordinance 23-33 mandating safe storage with a locking device or in a safe, is expected to be voted on this coming week. Rob Doar, vice president of the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, says the mayor’s initiative, given his own missing weapons is hypocritical. He also contends state statute doesn’t permit cities to pass such regulations and that it isn’t likely to work anyway. “My gut is that they don’t actually plan on enforcing this,” he said. “It’s for the headlines;” New York: SB5602, makes “unlawfully possess[ing] with intent to sell twenty or more firearms” punishable by up to life in prison; Tennessee: A Special Session on Guns has been announced by Gov. Bill Lee beginning on August 21, 2023 “to strengthen public safety and preserve constitutional rights; Texas: HB2744, restricting Second Amendment rights for adults aged 18-20, has passed the House Committee on Community Safety
U.S. Congress
House of Representatives
The House Judiciary Committee: Under the Chairmanship of Rep. Jim Jordan the House Judiciary Committee voted to advance H.J. Res. 44, a resolution to disapprove of the BATFE’s rule on pistol braces. A hearing was held on April 26 where BATFE Director Steve Dettelbach testified before Congress and when asked about the pistol brace rule by Senators he stated that the rule actually “clarifies” the intent of the agency. If H.J. Res 44 does not pass gun owners should expect ruthless enforcement by the agency.
State Legislatures/Local communities
The Louisiana legislature has begun.
Alabama: The House Judiciary Committee passed HB234, a bill to make the possession of “trigger activators” a felony.
Alaska: HB61, passed the House 26-12 on May 3. It is now before the Senate Judiciary Committee. California—New Gun bills keep being introduced in California and three committees are holding hearings this week. All bills have not been voted upon as of May 1. Monday-the Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee is hearing AB28, adding an excise tax of 11% on all firearms, firearms precursor parts and ammunition. Tuesday—the Assembly Public Safety Committee is hearing AB36, increasing the time a person subjected to a protective orders from possessing a gun to three years “after” the order has expired; AB732, expands current federal law regarding the relinquishing of firearms upon conviction of a prohibiting offense; AB733, prevents state and local government selling surplus firearms, ammunition and body armor; and AB1420, adds a requirement for firearms purchasers to list email address on state DROS forms and increases inspections of firearms dealers. Wednesday—Senate Insurance Committee will be hearing SB8, firearms liability insurance. A hearing was held before the Assembly Public Safety Committee on AB574, an over-the-top bill aimed at ensuring that whenever a person purchases a firearm that they certify, subject to a felony conviction, that they know where all their firearms are stored.
Colorado: SB279 banning custom firearms, so called “ghost guns” and was passed in the House and it now goes to a Gov. Jared Polis, who is expected to sign it.
Connecticut: Three gun bills were heard by the House Judiciary Committee and they had substitute language added: HB6667, Gov. Ned Lamont’s gun ban bill is a comprehensive anti-gun bill that includes one gun a month, safe storage, prohibits open carry, ghost guns, carrying a loaded gun in a vehicle, and large capacity magazines, increases training requirements, and more, HB6816, microstamping ammunition, age to purchase raised to 21, and bans body armor, and HB6817, clarifying a person’s right to own, possess or carry a firearm.
Delaware: SB2, the permit to purchase bill that includes a state-mandated training course, have a background check and be approved by the federal Homeland Security Department, and submit to fingerprinting, was introduced on April 19 and passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on April 26. It was then passed by the Senate 15-6. It was then substituted with Senate Substitute 1 for SB2 that extended the time a handgun qualified purchaser permit was valid from 180 days to 1 year, changed the scheduling of a Superior Court hearing within 15 days rather than 21 days, and extended the implementation timeline from 6 months from date of enactment to a maximum of 18 months. The bill now returns to the House Judiciary Committee which has 12 legislative days from May 3 to hear the bill again.
Florida: The Florida legislature has adjourned. The legislature passed SB214, that would stop the use of the gun store MCC and even fine the credit card companies $10,000 per violation. It was signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on May 12.
Hawaii: The Hawaii legislature has adjourned.SB1230, a post-Bruen bill that expands gun-free zones and requires mandatory insurance coverage, was passed and now goes to Gov. Josh Green.
Illinois:HB3238, possession, sales, transfer of armor plate, body armor or military helmet would be illegal, and HB1231, requiring banks, pawn shots, grocery stores and gas station in cities of more than 2 million to have an armed security guard during hours of operation, have been introduced.
Louisiana: SB212, a red flag bill had a hearing on May 2.
Maine: On May 10 the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee held a work session: LD626 and LD1166 were not voted out.The Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee is holding a work session on May 17 at 10:AM for LD 22, impede transfer of firearms to prohibited persons, LD60, require a 72-hour waiting period after the sale of a firearm, LD168, background checks, LD551, firearms discharge, LD582, penalties for firearms possession, LD943, prohibition of maintaining firearms records by shipping companies, LD924, enhance penalties for maintaining firearms records by shipping companies, LD624, strengthening Maine law concerning the creation of a gun registry; LD1011, require gun owners to report a stolen or lost firearm within 72 hours of knowing or should have known the gun was missing; and LD1340, ban “rapid fire modification devices” which includes many more than just bump stocks. LD1560, strengthening Maine’s “Stand Your Ground Law.”
Massachusetts: HB2334, sets up an illegal firearm tracking and tracing task force and a Mass firearms ID card would be required to go to a gun show, is before the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security.
Maryland: Although the legislature has adjourned they passedSB1, very restrictive legislation in response to the Bruen decision, HB824, increasing application fees for carry permits, and SB858, increases the age of a minor from 16 to 18 years of age for requiring firearms’ storage.
Michigan: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed: the package of storage requirement bills: SB79-Update weapons sentencing guidelines reference; SB80-the penalties for improper storage; SB81-Sales tax exemptions for firearm safety devices; SB82-Use tax exemptions for firearm safety devices with amendments; HB4138-Require license or background check for purchase of firearms; HB4142-Update firearms references to pistol in penal code; and HB4143-Update firearms references in sentencing guidelines. Awaiting Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s pen: SB83, a bill toenact extreme risk protection orders—April 19the Senate concurred with House amendments 20-17;
The following bills were passed in the Senate and the House Committee on Judiciary sent them to the House floor without amendments; SB84-Prohibit purchase of firearms if individual has an extreme risk protection order; SB85-Guidelines for making a false statement in support of an extreme risk protection order; and SB86-Service of process for extreme risk protection order actions includes waiving court fees. The following bills were passed in the Senate and are currently awaiting action in the House Committee on Judiciary SB76-Update references to pistol in penal code; SB77-Weapons; firearms; update references in sentencing guidelines; SB78-Adding penalties for storing or leaving a firearm accessible to a minor. The Senate passed 3 extreme risk protection acts and they are currently referred to the House Committee on Judiciary.
Minnesota: SF2909, the omnibus gun control bill that contains both red flag gun confiscations and universal background checks, passed out of conference committee between the House and Senate versions. After a week of negotiations, the Senate passed this 522 omnibus public safety bill containing red-flag gun confiscation and universal gun registration, on a party-line vote. The House has adjourned until May 15, so there will not be a vote until then at the earliest;The City of St. Paul—A proposed Ordinance 23-33 mandating safe storage with a locking device or in a safe, is expected to be voted on this coming week. Rob Doar, vice president of the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, says the mayor’s initiative, given his own missing weapons is hypocritical. He also contends state statute doesn’t permit cities to pass such regulations and that it isn’t likely to work anyway. “My gut is that they don’t actually plan on enforcing this,”he said.“It’s for the headlines.”
Missouri: With the clock winding down towards adjournment, the Senate has not yet voted on HB282. Senate majority leader Cindy O’Laughlin can be reached at 573-751-7985.The House passed HB282, allowing the carrying of firearms on public transit, and on May 4 it was passed by the Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee.
Montana: The Montana legislature has adjourned. The Senate passedHB659, give Right-to-Carry permittees a 30-day grace period in renewing permits, on April 13 and then on April 14 it also passed HB674, creates an optional, enhanced concealed carry permit that will recognize Montanans’ concealed carry permits in five additional states, both by a 45-5 vote. The bills now go to Gov. Greg Gianforte.
Nebraska: Gov. Jim Pillen signed the constitutional carry bill and Nebraska is the 27th state to pass a constitutional carry bill.
New Jersey: Bills introduced: A4557 will be upgrading the crime of manufacturing firearms from second to first degree. A4717, requiring psychological evaluation and in-home inspection as prerequisite to purchase firearms. S3003/A4502, expands sensitive places and S2847/A4369 prohibits possession of body armor.
Nevada: The Assembly passed AB355, prohibiting anyone less than 21 years of age from possessing a firearm on and AB354, prohibiting the possession of a firearm on the grounds of any educational institution and in a car parked on such grounds. Both were heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee on May 5 and have been given a Do Pass. SB171, expanding the “prohibited persons” categories, passed the Assembly Judiciary Committee on May 5.
New York: Another anti-gun bill has been introduced—SB5602, makes “unlawfully possess[ing] with intent to sell twenty or more firearms” punishable by up to life in prison. Introduced: A5199, excise tax on ammo; AB1892, requiring the posting of signage when the rate of “gun violence” in a particular area exceeds the national rate was introduced;SB430, prohibiting live ammo on a film production set and SB929 that would limit the sale “ammunition for assault weapons” to “two times the capacity” of the owners gun within a 120-day time frame; S5902, requiring proof of liability insurance prior to issuing a carry permit.
New Jersey: After a recent shooting incident AG Matthew J. Platkin, announced, “I remain committed to getting guns out of homes and off our streets.” NJ’s top cop couldn’t be clear in his anti-gun position.
North Dakota: The North Dakota legislature has adjourned.
Oklahoma: Governor Kevin Stitt signed both SB978, the boat carry act, and HB1789, a bill to clean up the constitutional carry law. SB721, clarifies the training requirements, has passed the Senate and the House Public Safety Committee has recommended DO PASS.The following bills are in the Senate Public Safety Committee: HB1404, removing prohibition of transport of firearms on a boat; HB2051, recognizes self-defense on private property, HB2645, clarifies the carry exemption for certain areas, and HB2737, removes the prohibition against 45-caliber firearms on Right-to-Carry permits; HB2139, authorizes school boards to allow Right-to-Carry permittees to carry on school property, is currently before the Senate Education Committee;the following bills are in the Senate Judiciary Committee: HB2155, allows appeals in cases of self-defense, HB2644, allows persons to carry, transport and store firearms in locked vehicles;and HB 2646, clarifies showing of licenses to law enforcement; HB2647, prohibits civil actions against the firearms industry in currently before the Rules Committee.
Oregon: HB 2005 A has now become HB 2005-B, the bill promoted by Gov. Tina Kotek and Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, now includes the old HB2006, prohibiting citizens 18-21 years of age from possessing semi-automatic firearms, and the old HB2007, and was passed 35-24 on the House floor on May 2 and now goes directly to the Senate floor for a vote. SB348, a bill that makes it almost impossible to purchase a firearm and is liable to become a felon, if they own a magazine for a firearm, has passed the Senate Judiciary Committee and is currently before Joint Committee on Ways and Means. SB393, that most of the members of the committee do not know what it does, appears to be a shell bill that Senator Prozanski can put any anti-gun proposal into and is in Senate Judiciary Committee. Bills awaiting action: SB551, requiring schools to provide information on “secure storage of firearms”. The Judiciary Committee without recommendation referred HB2572, creates a new definition for civil disorder which is defined as unlawful paramilitary activity and allows for civil action against persons engaging in the paramilitary activity to the Rules Committee per the order of the Speaker.
Pennsylvania: Another bill, HB465, banning the carrying of of any weapon including baseball bats to a public demonstration has been added to the following introduced bills: HB335, making an “accelerated trigger activator” a prohibited weapon; HB336, banning the sale or “assault weapon” and exempting current owners; HB337, requiring a 72-hour waiting period for firearms purchases; HB338, requiring the reporting of lost or stolen firearms within 72 hours; HB355, requiring the destruction of any recovered firearms that cannot be returned to their lawful owners within 120 days; HB226, concerning sale or transfer of firearms, introduced by 10 Democrats. HB001 was recommitted to the Judiciary Committee.
South Carolina: Constitutional carry, HB3594, has passed the House and the companion bill, S109,advances to a floor vote in the Senate.
Tennessee: A Special Session on Guns has been announced by Gov. Bill Lee beginning on August 21, 2023 “to strengthen public safety and preserve constitutional rights”
Texas: The House Select Committee on Community Safety held a hearing on gun bills and passed several favorable to gun owners. HB2837, a bill to prevent the use of a firearm specific banking code, has been placed on the General Calendar of the House.
Vermont: H230, “an act relating to implementing mechanisms to reduce suicide,”has passed both the House and Senate and now goes to Gov. Phil Scott. The bill enables an extreme risk protection order to be issued against a firearms owner as well as a waiting period for the transfer of a firearm between 72 hours and seven business days.
