By Tanya Metaksa
What’s New—Biden Administration: new rule expanding who must become a firearms dealer; Alabama: HB289/SB281 are awaiting votes in their respective Houses;Colorado: HB24-1292, the “assault weapons” ban, is up for final passage in the House, and HB24-1270, mandates the purchase of liability insurance before purchasing and carrying a firearm in the state, is being considered for second reading; Hawaii: SB3196, firearms restrictions, is dead for this session; The Idaho legislature has adjourned; Louisiana: SB419, is before the Senate Local and Municipal Affairs Committee; Maine: Bills are awaiting votes; Nebraska: LB1329, the Education Package, which includes some provisions of LB1339, the school employee carry bill, has passed the Unicameral Legislature. It now goes to Governor Pillen for his signature; Tennessee: HB2762/SB2223 now goes to Governor Bill Lee.
Biden Administration
On April 10, 2024, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives announced a new rule expanding the definition of who is or can possibly be a federal firearms dealer. According to miragenews.com:
“Today, the Biden-Harris Administration is announcing a new rule that will save lives by reducing the number of firearms sold without background checks. This final rule implements the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act’s expansion of firearm background checks-the only significant expansion of the background check requirement since then-Senator Biden helped shepherd the Brady Bill over the finish line in 1993. This action is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s strategy to stem the flow of illegally acquired firearms into our communities and hold accountable those who supply the firearms used in crime.”
Dave Workman on thegunmag.com reported that Republican Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis or North Carolina will be introducing a “resolution of disapproval’ to stop the implementation of this rule.
Politics-2024
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, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Rhode Island, Vermont
Alabama: HB389/SB281, Prohibiting the use of firearm-specific-merchant category codes by payment processors for firearms, ammunition, and components, have passed their respective committees and are now going to the floor of the respective houses.
California: On April 10, Chuck Michel (@CRPAPresident on X, formerly known as Twitter) tweeted the following about SB1160:
“Breaking: SB 1160 was “gut and amended” today so this ultimate gun owners’ nightmare bill that would have registered and taxed every single gun every single year is dead for this session. Thanks to CRPA and GOC for fighting so hard to rally opposition against this horror. Video about what the bill would have done: Surprising Decision: Mandatory Firearm Registration Withdrawn.” See video here.
Colorado: According to the Colorado State Shooting Association (@CSSA1926) HB24-1310, is officially dead. Votes were scheduled on April 14: HB24-1292, the “assault weapons” ban, final passage, and HB24-1270, liability insurance for gun owners, second reading.
Hawaii: The Hawaii Firearms Coalition tweeted on April 5:
“Honolulu, HI – April 5th 2024 – The Hawaii Firearms Coalition, a leading advocate for the rights of gun owners in Hawaii, today announced the cessation of SB3196, marking a significant victory for Second Amendment proponents across the state. SB3196, which sought to impose further restrictions on firearms possession and use, will not move forward in the legislative process, effectively rendering the bill dead for the current legislative session.”
Idaho: The Idaho legislature has adjourned.
Louisiana: SB419, designating the entire French Quarter of New Orleans as a so-called “gun-free zone” for those who do not have a concealed carry permit has been introduced, and is before the Senate Local and Municipal Affairs Committee with no movement this week.
Maine: The following bills could be voted by either/or/and the House and Senate in the coming days:
LD1696, a bill that would get around the federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA); LD2224, a Universal Background Check bill, similar to the proposal that was voted down in the past elections, LD2086, redefines machine guns to include semi-automatic firearms by adding parts, has been. tabled temporarily in the Senate. LD2283, replacing the current so-called “Yellow Flag” law with a “Red Flag” law that could lead to many lawful gun owners becoming felons, is still in the Committee on Judiciary as it had a divided report.
Maryland: The Maryland legislature has adjourned.
Nebraska: LB1329, the Education Package, which includes some provisions of LB1339, the school employee carry bill, has passed the Unicameral Legislature. It now goes to Governor Pillen for his signature
Tennessee: HB2762, providing financial privacy for gun buyers, has passed the House 75-17 while the companion bill SB2223 passed the Senate earlier. HB2762/SB2223 now goes to Gov. Bill Lee.
