By Tanya Metaksa
What’s New—Constitutional Carry bills introduced and moving through legislature: Nebraska: LB77 passed the Third reading and is on its way to Gov. Jim Pillen; South Carolina: There are two constitutional carry bills in the legislature: HB3594 and SB109. HB3594 has passed the House and is currently inthe subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee which held a hearing on April 5 and amended it with more gun owner friendly amendments; Alabama: The House Judiciary Committee passed HB234, a bill to make the possession of “trigger activators” a felony—on April 12 a second reading was held in the House; Arizona: Gov. Hobbs vetoes three more pro-gun bills; California: Three gun bill hearings this week; Colorado: The House Judiciary Committee voted 8-5 to postpone HB1230, an assault weapons ban, indefinitely, but two committees are holding hearings on more gun bills; Hawaii: Conference committee members for SB1230 have been appointed; Michigan: 8 anti-gun bills passed in the legislature and awaiting Gov. Whitmer’s signing and 10 more bills have passed on House and are in the second House committees; Missouri: The House passed HB282, allowing the carrying of firearms on public transit, and is before the Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee; Nevada: The Assembly passed AB355, prohibiting anyone less than 21 years of age from possessing a firearm on April 21; Oklahoma:SB721, clarifies the training requirements, has passed the Senate and the House Public Safety Committee has recommended DO PASS; Tennessee: The regular legislature adjourned Sine Die, but a Special Session on Guns is probable. SB494/HB395 passed the legislature and was sent to Gov. Bill Lee; Texas: HB2837, a bill to prevent the use of a firearm specific banking code, has been reported out of the Committee on Pensions, Investments and Financial Services. Washington:The legislature has passed SB5078, a bill to bankrupt the firearms industry in Washington, HB1143, a bill requiring proof of training prior to firearms’ purchase, and HB1240, an assault gun ban bill. All three now go to Gov. Inslee and HB1240 will become law immediately once it is signed.
State Legislatures/Local communities
Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New Mexico, South Dakota, Utah, West Virginia, Virginia and Wyoming have adjourned sine die
Alabama: The House Judiciary Committee passed HB234, a bill to make the possession of “trigger activators” a felony.
Alaska: HB61 and its companion bill SB63 were introduced in a bipartisan effort to get this concept passed into law. The bills prevent the prohibition, regulation, or seizure of citizens’ Second Amendment rights during a declared State of Emergency unless all forms of commerce are effected. HB61 passed the Community and Regional Affairs Committees or March 22 by 4-1 and was referred to the State Affairs Committee. In the Senate Community and Regional Affairs Committees there was no recommendation for SB63 but it was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee more than a month ago.
Arizona:
democrat Gov. Katie Hobbs is busy with her veto pen: After vetoing SB1096, a bill to discourage discrimination against the firearms industry, she also vetoed SB1331, allowing parents of a child who is a student at a public school to carry on school grounds, and SB1428, that would have prevented localities from banning gun shows.
California—New gun bills keep being introduced in California and three committees are holding hearings this week. 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: The House Judiciary Committee voted 8-5 to postpone HB1230, an assault weapons ban, indefinitely.The following four bills SB168, a sue firearms manufacturers, SB169, minimum age for firearms purchase raised to 21, SB170, add more non-judicial people to the list who can file an Extreme Risk Protection Order to remove a person’s firearms, HB169, raising the minimum age for purchase, and HB1219, a three-day waiting period, passed both houses of the legislature are awaiting Gov. Polis’ signature. The Senate Committee on State, Veterans & Military Affairs passed SB279 banning custom firearms, so called “ghost guns.” On April 25 the Senate Committee on Local Government & Housing will hold a hearing on HB1165, a bill that allows counties to ban shooting on private property.
Connecticut: Three gun bills were heard by the House Judiciary Committee and they all have had substitute language added: HB6667, Gov. Ned Lamont’s gun ban bill, 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.
Florida: The Senate passed SB214, that would stop the use of the gun store MCC and even fine the credit card companies $10,000 per violation by a vote of 27-11.
Hawaii: Gun bills are passing in Hawaii with lightning speed. On April 11 HB426 passed in the House 21-3 and went to Gov. Josh Green, who is expected to sign it. Todd Yukutake of the Hawaii Firearms Coalition said this bill will result in Hawaii firearm stores, gunsmiths, and manufacturers getting sued due to criminal use of their legally sold firearm products. This bill continues to advance through the legislature and is likely to pass. SB1230, a post-Bruen bill that expands gun-free zones and requires mandatory insurance coverage, was amended and then passed in the House. The Senate disagreed with the Houses amendments. House conference committee members have been appointed.
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.
Iowa: HF654, originally numbered HSB173, allowing adults who are licensed to carry firearms to drive onto school grounds to pick up or drop off students, was passed by the House 62-37 and was attached to SF543 that has already passed the Senate Committee on Judiciary.
Kansas: DemocratGov. Laura Kelly vetoed HB2304, a bill to strengthen firearm safety education in the schools. HB2412, eliminating fees for Right-to-Carry permits, was passed by the House on March 29 by a vote of 91-33. It is now before the Committee on Federal and State Affairs. Attorney General Kris Kobach has stated his support for the bill.
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: Awaiting Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s pen: SB83, a bill toenact extreme risk protection orders—April 19the Senate concurred with House amendments 20-17; 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.
The following bills were passed in the Senate on March 16 and referred to 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 on March 16 and they are currently referred to the House Committee on Judiciary: 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. House Bills 4145-4148, enabling “red flag” confiscation, are currently before the Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety Committee
Minnesota: The Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee adopted the following bills and re-referred them to House Ways & Means: HF396, a safe storage bill requiring locking devices to be included in every firearm transfer, HF14, a background check bill, HF15, a “red flag” bill, and HF601, requiring the reporting of stolen or lost firearms within 48 hours.
Missouri: The House passed HB282, allowing the carrying of firearms on public transit, and is before the Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee.
Montana: 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: LB77, a constitutional carry bill, passed the Third reading and is on its way to Gov. Jim Pillen. When Gov. Pillen signs this bill Nebraska will be 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 April 21.
New York: Another anti-gun bill has been introduced—S5902, requiring proof of liability insurance prior to issuing a carry permit. More gun bills: 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 owner’s gun within a 120-day time frame.
Oklahoma: The following bills have passed the House: 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. Other bills: SB721, clarifies the training requirements, has passed the Senate and the House Public Safety Committee has recommended DO PASS. Both SJR9, adding an OK Second Amendment to the OK Constitution, and HB1001, a bill to lower the age a citizen can carry a firearm, failed to meet the crossover deadline of 3/15/23 and are dead for the session.
Oregon: HB 2005 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 is scheduled for a vote on the House floor on May 2; then would be prioritized in the Senate and not need to be approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee. 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. SB393, that most of the members of the committee do not know what it does, appears to be a shell bill that Sen. Floyd 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 to the Rules Committee per the order of the Speaker—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
Pennsylvania: Another bill, HB465, banning the carrying 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 on March 14.
South Carolina: There are two constitutional carry bills in the legislature: HB3594 and SB109. HB3594 has passed the House and is currently inthe subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee which held a hearing on April 5 and amended it with more gun owner friendly amendments.
Tennessee: The regular legislature adjourned, but a Special Session on guns is probable. SB494/HB395 passed the legislature and was sent to Gov. Bill Lee.
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 reported out of the Committee on Pensions, Investments and Financial Services.
Vermont: The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on H230, “an act relating to implementing mechanisms to reduce suicide,” on April 6, no action to date. 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 7 business days.
Washington: The legislature has passed SB5078, a bill to bankrupt the firearms industry in Washington, HB1143, a bill requiring proof of training prior to firearms’ purchase, and HB1240, an “assault weapon” ban. All three are now awaiting signature by Gov. Jay Inslee and HB1240 will become law immediately once it is signed.
