By Tanya Metaksa
What’s New—Hawaii: SB3196, a long gun ban has been introduced; Idaho: HB415 and SB1291 are both currently before the Senate State Affairs committee; Louisiana: Gov. Jeff Landry has called for a Special Session on Crime. SB1, constitutional carry has been introduced; Minnesota: The legislative session starts on Feb. 12 and HF3570 has already been introduced; Nebraska: LB1269, a stand-your-ground bill, was heard by the Judiciary Committee on Feb. 8; New Mexico: In a session that is scheduled to adjourn on Feb. 15 all bills are being considered and on Feb. 10 the Senate passed an amended HB129 23-18. New York: A bill. S.138A, which requires any firearms safety instructor to be relicensed by the state after December 31, 2026, was passed in the Senate Codes Committee; Pennsylvania: The House Judiciary Committee laid on table (tabled, not moving forward): HB335, HB336, HB777, HB1157 and HB1190; Utah: HB406, banning the use of firearm-related Merchant Category Codes for financial institutions, was passed by the House 51-49 on Feb. 2; Tennessee: SB2223/HB2672, prohibiting the use of firearm specific merchant category codes by payment processors for firearms, ammunition and components are in their respective committees awaiting votes; Virginia: .Firearms bills have been moving in both Houses of the Legislature; Washington: Several bills have died in committee.
Legislation and local communities
States that do NOT hold legislative sessions in 2024: Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, and Texas,
States that are in session: Arizona, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin
Hawaii: SB3196, a long gun ban has been introduced.SB3196 bans ALL semi-automatic rifles with a detachable magazine and if the owner has any spare parts to repair them. It would ban ALL AR and AK pattern rifles as well as many others by name, regardless of features.
Idaho: SB1291, prohibits public contracts with individuals or companies that are boycotting certain industries, including the firearms industry. It is before the Senate State Affairs Committee. HB415, allowing school employees who hold an enhanced Right-to-Carry Permit to carry concealed at school, which passed the House, is before the Senate State Affairs Committee.
Louisiana: Gov. Jeff Landry has called for a Special Session on Crime beginning Feb. 19. SB1, constitutional carry has been introduced.
Massachusetts: On Feb. 2, the Senate passed S2572, which is similar to HD4420, which passed the House in 2023. No hearings were held in the Senate and now this bill goes to a joint committee to work out differences. For a more thorough write-up of this law check out the GOAL webpage.
Minnesota: The legislative session starts on Feb. 12 and HF3570, criminalizing the transfer of “semiautomatic military style assault weapons,” has already been introduced.
Nebraska: LB1269, a stand-your-ground bill, was heard by the Judiciary Committee on Feb. 8. LB925, a bill to stop government discrimination against lawful firearms businesses had a hearing on Feb. 1 before the Committee on Government, Military and Veterans Affairs; no action has yet been taken.
New Jersey: The anti-gun politicians are back with a bill similar to one in 2023 that is aimed at so-called “gun traffickers,” although present law is already being used to halt gun trafficking. S1425 is before the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee on Feb. 8.
New Mexico: Adjournment is scheduled for Feb. 15, at noon. On February 2 the House amended HB129, changing the waiting period from 14 to 7 days for all firearms purchasers even those with Right-to-Carry Permits and then and then passed it 37-33. When this bill reached the Senate a public hearing was held on Feb. 7 where a committee substitute was recommended to Pass. On Feb. 10 the Senate passed HB129 23-18. The following bills: HB27, HB129, and HB137 (all the bills are discussed below) have been passed by the House Judiciary Committee with substitutes and are still waiting for a vote in the full House of Representatives: HB27, an expanded Extreme Risk Protection Act that allow health care professionals and law enforcement to request such orders and immediate seizing of firearms; HB114, allowing lawsuits against the firearms industry; HB127, raising the minimum age for purchase of firearms, ammunition and accessories; and HB137, which is very similar to the GOSAFE Act that failed in 2023. The Senate passed SB5, prohibiting firearms within 100 feet of a polling place with an amended exception and it is now before the House Judiciary Committee. The Senate Judiciary Committee approved SB69, a companion bill to HB127.
New York: A bill. S.138A, which requires any firearms safety instructor to be relicensed by the state after Dec. 31, 2026, is a clever way to de-license NRA instructors. This bill passed the Senate in 2023 and is being promoted again. It was scheduled for the Senate Codes Committee on Feb. 5 and was voted upon with only four nays and sent on to the Senate Finance Committee.
Oklahoma: The legislative session has convened.
Oregon: The legislative session has convened.
Pennsylvania: The House Judiciary Committee considered the following bills: Laid on Table (tabled, not moving forward): HB335, a ban on multi-burst trigger activators; HB336, Banning future sales of “assault weapons;” HB777, Banning “Ghost Guns” parts; HB1157, Mental Health Reporting; and HB1190; banning 3-D printed firearms.
Tennessee: SB2223/HB2672 were introduced with the full support of Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson. This bill would prohibit the use of firearm-specific merchant category codes by payment processors for firearms, ammunition and components. Both bills are in their respective committees awaiting hearings and votes.
Utah: HB406, banning the use of firearm-related Merchant Category Codes for financial institutions, was passed by the House 51-49 on Feb. 2. It has been referred to the Subcommittee for Courts of Justice.
Virginia: House: Bills that have passed the House of Delegates: HB2, so-called “ assault weapons” ban; HB22 ban on auto sears; HB35, firearm safety device tax credit; HB46, a gun owner who is the object of a protective order must turn their guns over to someone living at a different address and at least 21-years-old; HB585, prohibition on home-based firearms dealers; HB797, requires live fire training and incorporates HB318 as well; HB791, ban on pneumatic guns; HB799, fingerprints required by local governments for Right-to-Carry applications; HB797, courses for firearms permits must include live firing; HB1174, age requirement of 21 years of age to purchase “assault weapon and HB1462, penalty for leaving firearm in an unattended vehicle. The following have been re-referred to House Appropriations: HB113, removes the right to own a handgun for a second misdemeanor DWI; HB270, prohibits transfer of large-capacity magazine with a felony conviction; HB319, removes references in law for NRA and US Concealed Carry Association instructors; The following have been re-referred to House Courts of Justice: HB158, mandatory firearm locking devices (that incorporated HB12); HB173, prohibits the manufacture of firearms without serial numbers; HB318, creates a private right of action against gun industry; HB454, bans carry in public higher education building; HB466, tightens the current standard for the recognition of out of state Right-to-Carry Permits. The following are awaiting votes in the House: Reported from House Appropriations with a substitute: HB175, penalties for carrying “assault weapons” in prohibited areas; HB798, those with stalking violations prohibited from purchasing, transporting or possessing a firearm; HB1195, 5-day waiting period; HB351, mandatory firearm locking device for residence storage.
Senate: The following bills have passed the Senate: SB2, so-called “ assault weapons” ban; SB47, prohibits transfers from a prohibited person; SB57, prohibits carrying firearms onto restaurant premises; SB89, prohibits carry of assault weapons in public areas; SB100, prohibits so-called plastic firearms; SB210, prohibition of auto sears; SB273, 5-day waiting period; Passed the Committee on Courts of Justice:: SB44, holding forearms owners liable for unlawful use by minors; The following are awaiting votes in the Senate: SB327, prohibits young adults (age 18-21) from purchasing a firearm; SB515, prohibits the carrying of a firearm in a medical facility; and SB642, expands the types of misdemeanor convictions as precursors to losing Second Amendment rights.
Washington: On Feb. 8 Dave Workman reported that five Washington state gun control measures including bills to require gun owner liability insurance, (SB5963), a permit to purchase (HB1902), a special ammunition tax (HB2238) and a limit on the number of guns someone could purchase …appear to have died in committee.
