By Tanya Metaksa
What’s New—Colorado: The House Judiciary Committee passed HB24-1292 on a party-line vote. Idaho: The following bills have been sent to Governor Brad Little for his consideration: SB1291, prohibiting the use of firearm-specific-merchant category codes by payment processors for firearms, ammunition, and components; SB1317, creating a Gadsden flag license plate; and SB1374, prohibiting private groups from restricting Second Amendment rights on public property, unless the event is private; Indiana: NSSF, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, praises Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb’s signing of House Bill 1235; Kansas: While SCR1618 languishes, anti-gun bills are introduced; Maine: The following bills were tabled in the Judiciary Committee: LD2086, redefining “machine guns” to include semi-automatic firearms and firearms’ parts; LD2119, a methodology for Maine citizens to waive their Second Amendment rights; LD2224; red flag law and universal background checks; and LD2238, a three-day waiting period bill; South Carolina: Governor Henry McMaster not content to rest on his laurels after signing the constitutional carry bill quietly, held a signing ceremony for H3594, emphasizing that the law also allows young adults, 18-20 years of age, to carry openly and anyone can carry a firearm inside a vehicle. Tennessee: SB2223, prohibiting the use of firearm-specific-merchant category codes by payment processors for firearms, ammunition, and components, was passed by the Senate. It also passed the House Commerce Committee on a voice vote.
Gun Rights Poll
As of 3-22-24 there is a Gun Rights Straw Poll on the Western Journal webpage. If it is still available check it out!
Federal Legislation
On March 13, 2024, a letter was circulated by the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force and was signed by 138 members of Congress urging the Veterans Administration to ignore the Kennedy amendment that was included and passed in the latest omnibus spending package.
State 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, California, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Rhode Island, Vermont
Colorado: The House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on HB24-1292, a semi-auto ban, where law-abiding gun owners kept the hearing in session for over 12 hours. However, the Committee Chair concluded the hearing with a party-line vote to pass the bill. It now will be considered on the House floor. On March 20, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on SB24-131, legislation to expand the definition of “sensitive places.”
Idaho: The following bills have been sent to Governor Brad Little for his consideration: SB1291, prohibiting the use of firearm-specific-merchant category codes by payment processors for firearms, ammunition, and components; SB1317, creating a Gadsden flag license plate; and SB1374, prohibiting private groups from restricting Second Amendment rights on public property, unless the event is private.
Indiana: Governor Holcomb signed HB 1825. NSSF sent out a press release:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — NSSF, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, praises Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb’s signing of House Bill 1235, legislation that “provides that only the state of Indiana may bring or maintain an action by or on behalf of a political subdivision against a firearm or ammunition manufacturer, trade association, seller, or dealer concerning certain matters.” The bill “prohibits a political subdivision from otherwise independently bringing or maintaining such an action.
The industry members the City of Gary sued are expected to promptly file a motion to dismiss the case based on this new law that became effective immediately upon the Governor’s signature. Lawyers representing the city acknowledged in their testimony opposing the bill that if it were to be enacted it would mean the City of Gary’s lawsuit will be dismissed. The City of Gary’s nearly quarter-century-old frivolous lawsuit against firearm manufacturers seeks to hold them responsible for the criminal actions of unrelated and remote third parties.
Interestingly enough, the Gun Control lobby tweeted their disapproval:
A tweet from Brady United: “Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb just signed a bill into law that is aimed at one thing— ending the most significant legal case against the gun industry in the U.S.
“We should all question what the gun industry is trying to hide. This law is a tragedy.”
Kansas: SCR1618, an amendment to the Kansas Constitution to “recognize the right to bear arms as a fundamental right, has not been brought up for debate by the Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs. Now several anti-gun bills have been introduced: SB548, repealing constitutional carry, SB549, universal background checks; SB550, prohibiting young adults under 21 years of age from purchasing and possessing semi-automatic firearms; and SB551, creates a crime of unlawful storage with criminal penalties.
Maine: During the 2016 Maine Presidential election there was a ballot question that asked the following question:
“Do you want to require background checks before the sale or transfer of firearms between individuals not licensed as firearms dealers, with failure to do so punishable by law, and with some exceptions for family members, hunting, self-defense, lawful competitions, and shooting range activity?”
When Maine citizens went to the polls they voted NO by 51.8% to 48,2%. In only two counties, York and Cumberland did the citizens vote in favor of the referendum. As a result, Maine representatives have realized that background checks on all private sales are not a winning issue.
Given this background, Public Safety Commissioner Mike Sauschuck was testifying before a Judiciary Committee work session on March 21, 2024, when he was asked by the Chair of the Judiciary Commissioner Senator Anne Carney if the governor’s language creates an “alternative” to “requiring background checks on all private sales.” His answer was, “That’s a fair assessment.” This answer is in direct opposition to Governor Mills’ media campaign which has tried to position their proposal as not implementing Universal Background Checks. As a result of this exchange, the Judiciary Committee tabled all gun bills until at least the following week.
Minnesota: Two bills were scheduled to be heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 22, 2024. SF606 requires gun owners to notify loss or theft of their firearms within 48 hours, and SF4312, mandates required firearm storage.
Nebraska: The Education Package LB1329, which had originally removed LB1339, a bill to allow staff and teachers to carry on school property, added it back with Amendment 2831. The entire LB1329 passed on a 40-0, with 9 abstentions.
Pennsylvania: SB67, full inclusion Sunday hunting, has passed the Senate Game & Fisheries Committee 7-4.
South Carolina: Governor Henry McMaster, not content to rest on his laurels after signing the constitutional carry bill quietly, held a signing ceremony for H3594, emphasizing that the law also allows young adults, 18-20 years of age, to carry openly and anyone can carry a firearm inside a vehicle.
South Dakota: Governor Kristi Noem signed SB203, legislation that would allow individuals with enhanced concealed carry permits and carry on school grounds with permission from the principal on March 18. On March 5 She also signed HB1228, allowing hunters to wear fluorescent pink while hunting.
Tennessee: SB2223, prohibiting the use of firearm-specific-merchant category codes by payment processors for firearms, ammunition, and components, was passed by the Senate. It also passed the House Commerce Committee on a voice vote.
