By Tanya Metaksa
What’s New—Constitutional Carry bills introduced and moving through legislature: Florida: The constitutional carry bill, HB543, passed the Senate on a 27-13 vote on March 30 and now goes to Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has been supportive; Nebraska: LB77 passed the legislature on March 30; California: The Assembly and Senate Public Safety Committees pass three new anti-gun bills; Colorado: The following four bills SB168, SB169, SB170 and HB169 passed both houses of the legislature; Georgia: adjourned; Hawaii: Honolulu-Bill 57-passed the City Council on a 6-3 vote and on March 31 Mayor Rick Blangardi signed it. HB984, had a vote on the bill deferred until April 6 and HB426 was passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 30; Idaho: HB295, prohibit credit card companies from using a firearms-specific code, passed the legislature and goes to Gov. Brad Little; Kansas: HB2304, a bill to strengthen firearm safety education in the schools, has passed the legislature. In the past Gov. Kelly has vetoed similar bills. HB2412, eliminating fees for Right-to-Carry permits, passed by the House; Kentucky: adjourned; HB153, which invalidates federal firearms bans, has passed the legislature and has become law without Gov. Anthony Beshear’s signature; Maine: hearing on gun bills April 3; Maryland: SB1, a very restrictive state law in response to the Bruen decision, passed the Senate 31-16; and a hearing was held by the Judiciary Committee on March 29; Minnesota: County Sheriffs opposing DFL gun bills:79 County Sheriffs are now pushing back against the DFL’s anti-gun agenda—up from 76 a week ago.. Missouri: SB224, passed the House Emerging Issues Committee; Montana: The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on HB674 and HB659; New York: S5902, requiring proof of liability insurance prior to issuing a carry permit, has been introduced and is in Codes Committee; North Carolina: The legislature passed SB41, Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed it and the legislature OVERRODE the veto in three separate votes; Oklahoma: 10 House bills and 1 Senate bill have passed their respective houses; Oregon: Five anti-gun bills are moving in the legislature—four in the House and one in the Senate; South Dakota: adjourned and Gov. Kristi Noem signed SB98; Virginia: Gov. Youngkin also signed HB2298, allowing switchblade knives to be carried; Washington:in executive session the Senate Committee on Law & Justice passed HB1240, a gun ban bill, and HB1143, a bill requiring proof of training prior to firearms’ purchase—they are both in Senate Rules Committee.
2023 Congressional Activity/Biden Administration
US Congress: Bills preceded by a * are newly added this week.
New Pro-gun Bills
*H.R. 1614, Range Access Act, increase national outdoor recreation opportunities (shooting ranges) on BLM land.
Anti-gun bills
S.173 A safe storage law, named “Ethan’s Law” was introduced by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Chris Murphy (D-CT), penalizing any adult that allows a minor, less than 18 years of age, to gain possession of a firearm. The bill’s storage requirements are onerous and the penalties include forfeiture of the firearm, jail time and fines. Rep. Rosa DeLauro) D-CT01) is submitting a companion bill, but no bill has yet been submitted.
H.R.584, Stop Online Ammunition Sales Act of 2023, has been introduced by Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ). Rep. Coleman was endorsed in 2022 by Michael Bloomberg’s Everytown organization. All sellers of ammunition would be licenses and required to confirm identity of the buyer in person with a photo ID. And all purchases of more than 1000 rounds would be required to be reported to federal, state and local law enforcement.
H.R.715: Brian Fitzpatrick, a Republican Representative from PA who voted for the 2022 Assault Weapon ban in Congress, has now authored HR715 that would implement a gun registry. HR715 has 180 cosponsors.
S.1522, with 43 co-sponsors on Feb 1. Senators Diane Feinstein (D-CA) and the two Democrat Senators from CT,Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal, announced the introduction of two anti-gun bills: The S.25, Assault Weapons Ban, and S.14, the Age 21 Act. Congressman David Cicilline (D-R.I) introduced a companion version of the Assault Weapons Ban, H.R. 698.
State Legislatures/Local communities
Louisiana, the last state to convene—April 10, 2023; Georgia, Kentucky, New Mexico, South Dakota, Utah, West Virginia, Virginia and Wyoming have adjourned sine die
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 on March 22.
Arizona: SB1096, a bill to discourage discrimination against the firearms industry, was vetoed by Gov. Katie Hobbs. The Senate has passed both SB1331, allowing parents of a child who is a student at a public school to carry on school grounds, and SB1109, removing suppressors from prohibited weapons category.
California—At the end of March the Assembly Public Safety Committee passed AB455, prohibited persons’ list expanded with added new misdemeanors, and the Senate Public Safety Committee passed SB2, that circumvents Bruen by adding new criteria for carrying a firearm, and SB368, a bill against firearms dealers. AB36, a person subjected to a protective order from possessing a gun will remain subjected to that order for three years “after” the order has expired. SB8, firearms liability insurance, has been amended to delete the civil liability section. AB97, banning unserialized firearms, passed the Public Safety Committee on March 7 by an 8-0 vote. AB301, the prohibition on owning body armor, has been amended by the author several times especially adding more exempt professions and on March 14 passed the Committee on Public Safety 6-2. SB2, which failed in the final minutes of the 2022 legislature, a revision of the carrying permit law, is being revived and pushed by Gov. Newsom. It currently has a hearing scheduled on March 28 before the Senate Committee on Public Safety.
Colorado: The following four bills SB168, to 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. But each bill was amended in the second house of passage so they all must return to the originating house for either concurrence on amendments or a conference committee. Since it took for full days to get them passed concurrence is the likely outcome. There are still two more bills, HB1165, prohibiting discharge in neighborhoods with at least 35 dwellings per square mile, and HB1230, banning “assault weapons”, that the anti-gun Democrats want to get passed. Additionally, there is talk of a bill banning ghost guns as well. Connecticut: Three gun bills were heard by the House Judiciary Committee and they could be considered at any time: 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.
Delaware: The legislature refusing to allow public comment or debate passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 12, declaring “gun violence” and “public health crisis” in both Houses. It now goes to Governor Carney, who is expected to sign it.
Florida: The constitutional carry bill, HB543, passed the Senate on a 27-13 vote on March 30 and now goes to Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has been supportive. SB150, passed 5-3 the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee on March 9 and is on 2nd reading in the Senate. 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.
Georgia: The Georgia legislature has adjourned.
Hawaii: SB1230, a post-Bruen bill that expands gun-free zones and requires mandatory insurance coverage, is awaiting votes in the House. HB984, expanding gun free zones, had had a vote on the bill deferred until April 6 and HB426, allowing frivolous lawsuits against firearms manufacturers and sellers, was passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 30. Honolulu-Bill57-passed the City Council on a 6-3 vote and on March 31 Mayor Rick Blangardi signed it.
Idaho: SB1173, expanding legally protected options for self-defense, and HB295, prohibit credit card companies from using a firearms-specific code have passed the legislature. They now go to Gov. Brad Little.
Illinois:HB3238, possession, sales, transfer of armor plate, body armor or military helmet would be illegal; 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, has been introduced.According to a county map of Illinois on Twitteronly 2 county sheriffs have said they would enforce HB5471, the comprehensive “assault weapons” ban signed by Gov. Pritzker.
Iowa: HSB173, allowing adults who are licensed to carry firearms to drive onto school grounds to pick up or drop off students. A subcommittee of the House Committee on Public Safety recommended Do Pass and the bill has been renumbered as HF654.
Kansas: HB2304, a bill to strengthen firearm safety education in the schools, has passed the legislature. In the past Gov. Kelly has vetoed similar bills. HB2412, eliminating fees for Right-to-Carry permits, was passed by the House on March 29 by a vote of 91-33. Attorney General Kris Kobach has stated his support for the bill.
Kentucky: HB153, which invalidates federal firearms bans, has passed the legislature and has become law without Gov. Anthony Beshear’s signature. The Kentucky legislature has adjourned.
Maine: Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety is holding a hearing on gun bills on April 3. The following bills will be included: LD22, an antique gun bill that is different from federal statutes; LD60, a three-day waiting period after purchase of a firearms; and LD168, requiring background checks on all firearms sales.
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: SB1, a very restrictive state law in response to the Bruen decision, passed the Senate 31-16 and is scheduled for March 29 before the House Judiciary Committee. The bill was amended to remove some of the egregious “sensitive places”, but President Mark Pennak of Maryland Shall Issue stated, “It is still unconstitutional in its sweep to include multiple places as sensitive places.”
Michigan: The House passed the Senate’s 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; and SB82-Use tax exemptions for firearm safety devices with amendments on March 22. The Senate on March 23 voted to concur with the House amendments and that package now goes to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. After voting for the storage requirement package, the Senate then passed three House bills: 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. Those additional bills are also headed to Gov. Whitmer’s desk. The following bills were passed in the Senate on March 16; 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. Finally, the Senate passed 3 extreme risk protection acts on March 16 and they are currently referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary: SB83-Enact extreme risk protection order act; 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.
Minnesota: According to the MN Gun Owners Caucus 79 County Sheriffs are now pushing back against the DFL’s anti-gun agenda—up from 76 a week ago. 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.
Mississippi: Afterthe House passed HB1110 (87-26)that would stop the use of the gun store MCC it was amended and passed in the Senate and was returned to the House for concurrence, the House declined to concur and a conference was requested.
Missouri: HB282 and SB224, allowing the carrying of firearms on public transit, were introduced. The House Emerging Issues Committee passed HB282.
Montana: HB674, creates an optional, enhanced concealed carry permit that will recognize Montanans’ concealed carry permits in five additional states, and HB659, give Right-to-Carry permittees and 30-day grace period in renewing permits, were both before the Senate Judiciary Committee for a hearing last week.
Nebraska: All three sequential votes needed to pass LB77, a constitutional carry bill, were successful and it now goes to Gov. Pete Ricketts.
New Hampshire: On March 16 three anti-gun bills were defeated on the House floor: HB76, a three-day waiting period, HB444, banning the carrying of firearms at polling places, and SB247, repealing NH’s limited liability law for the firearms’ industry.
New Hampshire: The House defeated the following bills: HR8, a resolution urging Congress to pass an “assault weapons” ban, HB158, banning so-called armor piercing ammunition, and HB191, allowing state agencies to destroy voluntarily surrendered firearms.
New Mexico: Adjourned. All bills with the exception of HB9, a gun owner liability law signed by Governor Luhan Grisham on March 14, did not pass through the legislature before adjournment on March 18, 2023. Although during the session Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham threatened to hold a special session on firearms if she did not get her gun bills passed, in a press conference after adjournment, she said, she would continue to battle on crime legislation. And she made no apologies for her battle against guns.
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.
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.
North Carolina: The General Assembly put several bills together and passed SB41, a bill that expanded carrying on school property, repeal pistol purchase permits, and launch a safe storage awareness initiative that Gov. Roy Cooper wasted no time in vetoing, has survived THREE VOTES and the VETO is OVERRIDDEN!
Oklahoma: The following bills have passed the House during the last week of March: HB1404, removing prohibition of transport of firearms on a boat; HB2051, recognizes self-defense on private property; HB2139, authorizes school boards to allow Right-to-Carry permittees to carry on school property; HB2155, allows appeals in cases of self-defense; HB2218, a bill to stop any taxpayer funding of businesses that discriminate against the firearms industry; HB2644, allows persons to carry, transport and store firearms in locked vehicles; HB2645, clarifies the carry exemption for certain areas; HB2645, allows self-defense on municipal spaces; HB2737, removes the prohibition against 45-caliber firearms on Right-to-Carry permits; HB 2646, clarifies showing of licenses to law enforcement; HB2647, prohibits civil actions against the firearms industry; and SB721, clarifies the training requirements SJR9, adding an OK Second Amendment to the OK Constitution,introduced in the Senate is in the Senate Rules Committee. HB1001, a bill to lower the age a citizen can carry a firearm, has been introduced by Rep. Jim Olsen (R) and passed the State Powers Committee on March 1.
Oregon: Three anti-gun bills promoted by Gov. Tina Kotek and Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum had hearings before the House Judiciary Committee; HB2005, a comprehensive anti-home built firearm bill was passed on March 30 and referred to Ways and Means Committee; and both HB2006, prohibiting citizens 18-21 years of age from possessing semi-automatic firearms, and HB2007, weakening Oregon’s firearms preemption law are scheduled for votes on April 3. SB551, requiring schools to provide information on “secure storage of firearms”, has votes scheduled for April 4. 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 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. The Judiciary Committee has hearing dates scheduled for March 14 and March 29, but only HB001 was recommitted to the Judiciary Committee on March 14.
South Carolina: No change since last week. HB3594, a constitutional carry bill, passed the House 87-26 on Feb. 23 and is in the Senate Committee on Judiciary.
South Dakota: The legislature adjourned on March 27, 2023. Gov. Kristi Noem signed SB98, a bill that stops the requirement to be fingerprinted when seeking a renewal of an enhanced permit.
Texas: HB2837, a bill to prevent the use of a firearm specific banking code, has been introduced. HB1623, banning possession & transfer of firearms with removable magazines bigger than .22 has been introduced.
Utah: Adjourned. Two bills that flew under our radar, HB226, and HB461, were signed by Gov. Spencer Cox recently. HB226 sets up a state database to check is a gun was reported as stolen and if the seller of the firearm has a valid concealed carry permit. HB461 allows firearms confiscated at an airport to not always be confiscated.
Virginia: The Virginia legislature has adjourned. The following bills have passed the legislature and Gov. Youngkin has signed them: HB2467, allowing the use of a non-photographic ID in the purchase of a firearm on March 24;HB2387, a tax credit of up to $300 towards the purchase of a gun safe; HB1422,allows a USCCA course to the list of training requirement for carry permits; HB2298, allowing switchblade knives to be carried; and HB2449, protecting Virginia CHP information.
Washington: On March 24 House Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee had scheduled an executive session for SB5078, an anti-firearms industry bill. The Senate Committee on Law & Justice passed in executive session HB1240, an assault gun ban bill, and HB1143, a bill requiring proof of training prior to firearms’ purchase and sent then to the Senate Rules Committee.
West Virginia: Adjourned
Wyoming: Adjourned. Gov. Gordon signed SF120, a bill returning gun rights to non-violent felons five years after completing their sentence.
