By Tanya Metaksa
What’s New: Department of Justice, DOJ v. California Sheriffs; April 19, 2025-250th Anniversary of the Shot Heard Round the World; Congress: Repealing the Illegal Freedom and Liberty Excises Act, or the RIFLE Act. H.R. 2552 and S.1224 were introduced; Politics: Wisconsin: Unfortunately, the Liberal Democrat candidate won: Arkansas: The House Insurance Committee, by voice vote, failed to pass HB1443; SB25-003 is going to Governor Jared Polis, and more: Florida: On March 26, the House passed HB759, 68-34. This bill lowers the minimum age for purchase of a firearm to 18; Hawaii: HB125 was passed by TheSenate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection; Illinois: SB8, a Safe Gun Storage bill, is moving; Iowa: SF106, a bill to allow law-abiding citizens to carry firearms while operating off-road vehicles, is moving; The Mississippi legislature adjourned; Maine: Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary voted down LD1109, but two other bills still alive; Nevada: More hearings on gun control bills scheduled; North Dakota: HB1588, a firearm carry enhancement bill, has passed the Senate; Oregon: The House Judiciary Committee has delayed the vote on HB3075 and HB3076; South Carolina: Two pro-Second Amendment bills are moving; Tennessee: Pro-gun bills moving, anti-Second Amendment bills defeated; Tennessee: Pro-gun bills moving, anti-Second Amendment bills defeated; Vermont: S131, to allow the City of Burlington to prohibit the possession of a firearm in any property with a license to serve alcohol, is being considered; Virginia: Governor Youngkin’s veto stands; Washington: SB5098, expanding current “gun-free” zones,and HB1163, establishing a permit to purchase requirement for firearms, were cosidered in separate committees; West Virginia: The Crossover deadline was April 2 and two bills, HB2067 and HB3342 have passed the House and are in the Senate; Wisconsin: SB167, allowing school employees who have Right to Carry Licenses to lawfully possess a firearm on school grounds with permission from the school district, was introduced.
Trump Administration
Department of Justice (DOJ) v. California Sheriffs
The announcement of a formal investigation by the Department of Justice into the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department and how it mishandles Right-to-Carry Permit applications must have prompted much cheering at the law firm of California Rifle & Pistol Association President Chuck Michel. These attorneys have been battling for many years with California Sheriff’s and city police departments over the time it takes law-abiding gun owners to get their carry permits. It’s about time the cavalry arrived!
April 19, 2025-250th Anniversary of the Shot Heard Round the World
This posting on X.com should have interested all patriots: CRPA posted this information. “On Saturday, April 19th, 2025, the 250th anniversary of the Shot Heard Around the World will be celebrated across America by modern patriots gathering at select ranges throughout the land to fire that shot again!
Come be a part of history with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Click here to sign up: https://ow.ly/o5B550V0c0b.”
If anyone knows of other planned events in anticipation of the 250th Anniversary of the Shot Heard Round the World, please send info to 4191775Shot@gmail.com, and we will let everyone know.
Congress
Repealing the Illegal Freedom and Liberty Excises Act, or the RIFLE Act. H.R. 2552 and S.1224 were introduced on April 1; this was not an April Fool’s joke. This bill will repeal the federal tax on suppressors and short-barreled rifles. Currently, there are 28 co-sponsors on the House bill and 12 co-sponsors on the Senate bill.
Politics
Wisconsin: Unfortunately, the Liberal Democrat candidate won the Wisoonsin election for the vacant Supreme Court position.
All 50 state legislatures are in session in 2025
Kentucky, Mississippi, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming have adjourned.
Arkansas: The House Insurance Committee, by voice vote, failed to pass HB1443, a bill prohibiting payment processors from using firearm-specific merchant category codes for firearms, ammunition, and components.
Colorado: SB25-003 is going to Governor Jared Polis, who has 10 days to take action. Let him know you want him to veto it! Call Governor Polis’ office at (303) 866-2471 by email at Governorpolis@state.co.us by signing the Colorado State Shooting Association Petition.
Other Bills: SB25-205: A bill requiring state FFLs to request a Firearm serial check on any potential purchase is awaiting a vote in the Senate.
The following have passed both Houses and are being sent to Governor Polis
SV25-1238: Placing restrictions on gun show vendors and organizers.
SB25-1133: Adding age restrictions for ammunition purchases.
Florida: On March 26, the House passed HB759, 68-34. This bill lowers the minimum age for purchase of a firearm to 18. The Senate companion bill, SB920, has not had a hearing in the Senate.On March 28, Monique Miller @RepMoniqueM posted this on X.com: “I just got word that my first bill will be heard on the House floor this Thursday. HB 6025 will protect Floridians’ 2nd Amendment rights in emergencies. Thank you to the Florida @NRA & @GunOwners for supporting this legislation. I look forward to its passage.”
Hawaii: On April 1, TheSenate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection and the Committee on Judiciary passed HB125. It will go to the Senate floor for a vote.
Illinois: SB8, a Safe Gun Storage bill, has passed the Senate Assignments Committee and will be on Second Reading in the Senate on April 4, 2025. This bill expands state requirements for firearm storage and increases penalties if not reported within 5 days.
Iowa: SF106, a bill to allow law-abiding citizens to carry firearms while operating off-road vehicles, including snowmobiles, has passed the House with amendments and will return to the Senate for concurrence.
Kentucky: The legislature adjourned.
Maine: On April 3, the Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary held work sessions, and LD1109, the 10-round magazine ban, received a majority vote of “Ought Not to Pass.” However, two other gun control bills, LD677, the machine gun redefinition bill, and LD1126, a ghost gun ban, were tabled. The committee members need to hear from gun owners and request NO votes if those two bills are brought back up for votes.
Mississippi: The Mississippi legislature adjourned.
Nevada: Ten days ago, a lengthy six-hour hearing on gun control was held, and now more hearings are being scheduled. The Senate Judiciary Committee heard SB347, which requires a police officer who places an individual on a mental health hold to confiscate a firearm(s) owned by that individual. The Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs heard SB156, establishing an Office of Gun Violence Prevention.
North Dakota: HB1588, a firearm carry enhancement bill, has passed the Senate. This bill will enhance the state’s right-to-carry laws. The Senate added an amendment to the House bill, and let your Representative know you want the House to concur with the Senate amendment.
Oregon: The House Judiciary Committee has delayed the vote on HB3075 and HB3076. HB3075 changes Ballot Measure 114, increasing the cost of application fees and extending waiting periods, and HB3076 will require gun dealer licensing run by the state of Oregon.
South Carolina: H.3930, the Second Amendment Financial Privacy Bill, was reported favorably by the House Judiciary Committee and could be voted upon next week in the House. H.3872, the Hunting Heritage Protection Act, passed the House and now goes to the Senate.
Tennessee: This week, the House Criminal Justice subcommittee and the House Civil Justice subcommittee voted to send all pro-gun bills to the full committee and defeated five anti-Second Amendment bills.
Five pro-gun bills:
HB856 changes the standard for the use of deadly force to protect one’s property and family.
HB873 protects firearm industry members from civil liability actions brought due to the unrelated actions of a third party.
HB1189 expands the current handgun permit system by allowing the carrying of long guns in addition to handguns.
HB1332 clarifies that young adults, at least 18 years of age, may obtain a handgun carry permit.
HJR53 amends the Tennessee Constitution, adding that citizens have a right to keep and bear arms.
Five anti-Second Amendment bills: HB596, HB949, HB1231, HB1292, and HB1390
Vermont: The legislature is attempting to pass a bill, S131, to allow the City of Burlington to prohibit the possession of a firearm in any property with a license to serve alcohol. The Vermont Senate Committee on Government Operations held a hearing on this bill on April 3.
Virginia: The legislature could not muster the votes to override Governor Youngkin’s vetoes.
Washington: On April 4, SB5098, expanding current “gun-free” zones,and HB1163, establishing a permit to purchase requirement for firearms, were heard by separate committees. Opponents outnumbered supporters on both bills.
West Virginia: The crossover deadline was April 2. The Crossover deadline is when bills not advanced from the House of Origin are defeated for this session. Two House bills, HB2067, protecting firearms industry companies and personnel from being held liable for third-party misuse of firearms, and HB3342, which would prohibit public entities from entering into contracts with businesses that do not certify they do not discriminate against firearms businesses, have passed the House and are on their way to be considered by the Senate.
Wisconsin: On April 3, SB167, allowing school employees who have Right to Carry Licenses to lawfully possess a firearm on school grounds with permission from the school district, was introduced.
