By Tanya Metaksa
What’s New—Financial Institutions and Gun Sales: States are introducing legislation to preclude the use of gun store tracking codes; Constitutional Carry bills introduced and moving through legislature: Florida, Nebraska, and South Carolina; California: Hearings are scheduled for SB2 and AB301 in March; Florida: Constitutional carry bill, SB150, passed Criminal Justice Committee; Colorado: HB1219 hearing March 6 and four more anti-gun bills introduced; Connecticut: March 6 hearing in Judiciary Committee on three gun bills; Hawaii: A hearing on SB1230, a post-Bruen bill that expands gun-free zones had a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Several bills are moving in the legislature;.Idaho: The House passed with overwhelming margins bills that prohibit tax dollars from supporting business that boycotts the firearms industry, HB189 and HB190, were passed the House State Affairs Committee; Iowa: HSB173, the House Committee on Public Safety subcommittee recommended Do Pass; Maryland: SB1, a very restrictive state law in response to the Bruen decision, is scheduled for a hearing in the Judicial Proceedings Committee on March 7; Michigan: House Judiciary Committee met on March 1 to consider 11 anti-gun bills. On March 2 the Senate Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety met to consider 11 gun related bills; Mississippi: thefour anti-gun bills which were introduced in the legislature are dead: Montana: HB674 passed House Judiciary Committee with amendment; New Mexico: HB9 has passed the House and has been amended in the Senate Judiciary Committee; Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has threatened a special session on gun proposals after SB171 was tabled in committee 6-3; Nebraska: LB77 is being amended; New York: A5199, excise tax on ammo introduced: Oklahoma: HB1001 passed the State Powers Committee on March 1; Oregon: More anti-gun bills introduced; Washington: HB1143, which has been drastically changed, and HB1240 are awaiting action in House Rules Committee while SB5078 is awaiting a vote on the Senate floor; West Virginia: Gov. Jim Justice signed SB10, the Campus Self-Defense Bill, allowing law-abiding Right-to-Carry permittees to carry on a college campus; Wyoming: SF148, an enhanced preemption law regarding firearms laws, passed the legislature and was signed by Gov. Mark Gordon.
2023 Congressional Activity/Biden Administration
US Congress: Bills preceded by a * are newly added this week.
Pro-gun Bills
H.R. 38 Introduced by US Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) with bipartisan support and 118 original co-sponsors, would protect law-abiding Right-to-Carry permit holders from navigating a patchwork of varying gun control laws when crossing a state line. Senators John Cornyn (TX-R) and Bill Hagerty (TN-R) have introduced the companion bill,
H.R. 53, the Firearm Industry Nondiscrimination (FIND) Act, introduced by US Rep. Jack Bergman (R-Mich). The bill has 55 original co-sponsors. This bill is aimed at financial institutions that discriminate against corporation that manufacture, sell, fix firearms and firearms parts and accessories. This legislation prohibits the Federal Government from entering into contracts with corporate entities that discriminate against a firearm or ammunition industries.
S.163, The SHORT Act, has been introduced by Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS). This bill removes certain short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns and other weapons from the definition of a firearm for purposes of regulation under the National Firearms d(NFA).
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 that 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) was to introduce a companion version of the Assault Weapons Ban.
Financial Institutions and Gun Sales
According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) there has been an effort led by Amalgamated Bank’s CEO Priscilla Sims Brown, credit card companies have created a special tracking code for gun store purchases. Even Bloomberg News, owned by anti-gun Michael Bloomberg, has said this idea wouldn’t work. However Discover Card announced it will be using this code beginning in April. In three states, Mississippi, West Virginia and Florida legislation has been introduced and is under consideration to block the credit card tracking scheme.
State Legislatures/Local communities
Alabama and Florida convene legislative session on March 7, 2023. Florida committees have been meeting and voting on bills for the past weeks and bills are ready to be considered in floor votes on March 7. Louisiana, the last state to convene on April 10.
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 affected. The bills are not yet scheduled in their respective Community and Regional Affairs Committees.
Arizona: 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— AB301, the prohibition on owning body armor, has been amended by the author several times especially adding more exempt professions. On Mar. 2 it was scheduled for a hearing on March 14. 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. Carry permit information: If any California pistol permit applicants are not up to speed on current requirement, show them this letter put online by CRPA attorneys at Michel & Associates. Follow Attorney @MorosKosta on twitter for info on carry permit applications in California. FYI: for those Californians not living in LaVerne, CA you should check out their CCW fee schedule for their gold-plated CCW.
Colorado: HB219, a three day waiting period, is scheduled for a hearing on March 6 at 1:30 PM MST. Other bills introduced include HB1230, an assault weapons ban, SB168, a sue firearms manufacturers, SB169, minimum age for firearms purchase raised to 21, and SB170, add more non-judicial people to the list who can file an Extreme Risk Protection Order to remove a person’s firearms.
Connecticut: Three new gun bills will be before the House Judiciary Committee on March 6: 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 constitutional carry bill, HB543, is now ready to be considered by the House after the legislative session begins on March 7. The Senate companion, SB150, passed 5-3 the Senate Criminal Justice Committee on Feb 20. The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee approved SB214, that would stop the use of the gun store MCC and even fine the credit card companies $10,000 per violation.
Hawaii: The State legislature convened on Jan. 17.Several new bills have been introduced H110/SB234, SB11, SB121, SB122 and SB166. A hearing on SB1230, a post-Bruen bill that expands gun-free zones was held in the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 1. The bill also requires mandatory insurance coverage. HB426, an anti-PLCAA bill, is awaiting a vote in the House. SB882, Hawaii’s answer to the Bruen decision is nothing but a bad copy of NY’s CCIA law as it asks for 3 years of social history (a NY requirement) while HI permits are only good for 1 year. The bill includes increases Right-to-Carry training from 4 hours to 14 hours, requires names of adult family members living in same house, four references and social media accounts. It was introduced on 1/20/23 and passed the first reading on 1/23/2023.
Hawaii—Honolulu: The city of Honolulu held a hearing on Feb. 22 on its revised Bill 57 regarding pistol carrying permits. Although the ratio of comments was 5-1 against enactment the vote to proceed was 6-3. The bill would ban legally permitted guns in so-called sensitive places, like schools, parks, public transportation and government buildings.
Idaho: The House on March 3 passedwith overwhelming margins HB189 and HB190, ensuring that the citizens of Idaho through their tax dollars do not do business with firms that boycott the firearms industry
Illinois: McHenry County commissioners approved a resolution opposing the IL gun ban law (HB5471) on Feb. 21. HB3967, an amendment to the IL Domestic Violence of 1986 Act, would delete the text in the law that is struck out:
| (1) was issued after a hearing |
thus denying the accused his day in court;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 counties 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 of drop off students. A subcommittee of the House Committee on Public Safety recommended Do Pass.
Kansas: The Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs recommended that SB116, a bill to expand access to firearms safety education, do Pass. In past sessions similar bills have been vetoed by Gov. Kelly,
Kentucky: HB153, which invalidates federal firearms bans, has passed the House by a vote of 78-19.
Maryland:SB1, a very restrictive state law in response to the Bruen decision, is scheduled for a hearing in the Judicial Proceedings Committee on March 7. SB113, the “public nuisance” bill is designed to circumvent the federal PLCAA law, and SB86, raising the age to 21 for all long gun purchases, are the subjects of a Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee on Feb. 7. The House companion bill, HB259 had its hearing on Jan. 30. Additionally SB86, raising the age to 21 for all long gun purchases, had a hearing in the House Judiciary on Feb. 1.
Michigan: House Judiciary Committee met on March 1 to consider 11 anti-gun bills:HB4138-Require license or background check for purchase of firearms; HB4139-sentencing guidelines for failure to initiate a background check; HB4140-Exempt Use tax for firearm safety devices; HB4141-Exempt Sales tax for firearm safety devices; HB4142-Update firearms references to pistol in penal code; HB4143-Update firearms references in sentencing guidelines; HB4144-Provide for penalties for storing or leaving a firearm where it may be accessed by a minor; HB4145-Enact injunctions for extreme risk protection order act; HB4146-Prohibit purchase of firearms if individual has an extreme risk protection order; HB4147-Waive court fees for service of process for extreme risk protection order actions; HB4148-Enact sentencing guidelines for making a false statement in support of an extreme risk protection order;
On March 2 the Senate Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety met to consider 11 gun related bills; SB32-Require firearms; license or background check for purchase of firearms; 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; SB79-Update weapons sentencing guidelines reference; SB81-Sales tax exemptions for firearm safety devices; SB82-Use tax exemptions for firearm safety devices; 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; SB86-Service of process for extreme risk protection order actions includes waiving court fees.
Minnesota: According to the MN Gun Owners Caucus 48 Sheriffs are pushing back against the DFL’s anti-gun agenda. The Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee adopted the following bills and re-referred the 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: The House has passed HB1110 (87-26)that would stop the use of the gun store MCC and is expected to pass the Senate quickly. Four anti-gun bills were introduced in the legislature and they all are dead.
Missouri: HB282 and SB224, allowing the carrying of firearms on public transit, have been introduced.
Montana: HB674, creates an optional, enhanced concealed carry permit that will recognize Montanans’ concealed carry permits in five additional states, including WA, MN, NM, SC & DE, passed House Judiciary Committee with an amendment;
Nebraska: AlthoughThe Judiciary Committee has sent LB77, a constitutional carry bill, for a vote in the Legislature, it will need 33 Senators to overcome a filibuster planned against the bill. The bill now has 25 co-sponsors. As a result an amendment allowing the city of Omaha to keep its local ordinance of requiring registration of concealable handguns is being considered.
North Carolina: The House of Representatives passed HB50, repealing the permit-to-purchase state requirement 67-48.
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: According to the Santa Fe New Mexican, Gov. Luhan may call a special session if she does not get her gun bills passed. SB171, banning automatic firearms and other firearms classified under the federal NFA, was tabled in committee 6-3. Bills moving: HB9, a gun owner liability law identical to one from last year has passed the House and was sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee where it was given a Do Pass recommendation with amendments, SB114, expanding permission to carry a handgun, if the persons has a concealed handgun license, into bars, has not yet been considered by the Senate Judiciary Committee. TheHouse Consumer & Public Affairs Committee advanced two bills: HB100, requiring a 14-day waiting period prior to receiving a purchased handgun, and a committee substitute, for HB101 by Andrea Romero (D), that grandfathers in any “banned firearms owned prior to March 1, 2024, but bans the sale of certain semiautomatic rifles, .50 BMG caliber firearms and ammunition, certain magazines, and would require registration of this banned weapons prior to March 1, 2024, or become a felon. Both these bills now go to the House Judiciary Committee. SB116, banning young adults age 18-20 from purchasing or possession any semi-automatic firearm passed the Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee.
New Jersey: All bills carryover into 2023. New bills: 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: New gun bills introduced: A5199, excise tax on ammo;
Oklahoma: 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 owners gun within a 120-day time frame.
North Carolina: Two bills, allowing the carrying of a firearm while attending church, SB41 and HB49, have passed their respective Houses. Hopefully the legislature can override a veto by Gov. Roy Cooper as he vetoed a similar bill in both 2020 and 2021. Rep. Bobby J. Cox has introduced HB3594, a permit less carry bill.
North Dakota: Two pro-gun bills, HB1401, making Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPO) illegal and HB1404, allowing a concealed carry on a college campus, were heard in the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee in January.
Oklahoma: 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: More anti-gun bills introduced: HB2005, a bill to not only stop the manufacture of firearms, it prohibits citizens from owning certain federally unregulated part, HB2006, denies Second Amendment rights to persons between the ages of 18-21; and HB2007, weakens the state’s preemption law. 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: HB2775, would mandate a firearms eligibility license with mandatory training and added fees has been introduced. HB1929, that removes knives and switchblade knives from the prohibited weapons list, that passed the House 202-1 in April 2022, has now unanimously passed the Senate Judiciary Committee. It should now go to the Senate floor for a vote.
South Carolina: HB3594, a constitutional carry bill, passed the House 87-26 on Feb. 23.
South Dakota: SB98, a bill that stops the requirement to be fingerprinted when seeking a renewal of an enhanced permit, has passed the legislature by overwhelming majorities. It now goes to Gov. Kristi Norm.
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: HB225, a bill to require agencies to run a background check on firearms when returning it to the owner and HB226, requiring the Bureau of Criminal Identification to inform local law enforcement when a buyer of a firearm is denied and creating an online process for identifying persons buying or selling firearms have been introduced. Neither of these bills are assigned to committees.
Vermont: A bill,S4, which included banning people under 21 years of age from purchasing semiautomatic firearms, was stripped of that provision during a mark-up session in the Senate Committee on Judiciary. As a result the title of the bill has been changed to “An act relating to a report on criminal justice-related investments and outcomes.” No votes have yet been taken.
S31, a bill to prohibit the open carrying of loaded firearms and prohibits the use of self-defense or defense of others to be used outside the home has been introduced.
Virginia: The Senate passed HB2467, allowing the use of a non-photographic ID in the purchase of a firearm by a 40-0 vote and HB2387, a tax credit of up to $300 towards the purchase of a gun safe, has passed both Houses. Both bills are on their way to Gov. Youngkin. A bill allowing switchblade knives to be carried, HB2298, was amended in the Senate regarding stilettos, and then passed. It will have to go back to the House now
Washington: The following bills are in Rules Committee after being passed in their originating Committee: HB1143, has been amended and is now Second Substitute HB1143. SSHB 1143 would unjustly force free citizens to buy a “Permit to Purchase a Firearm” before they could buy or transfer a firearm each time they go to purchase. Before being granted a permit, the applicant must prove that s/he completed a required training course. Also, s/he must submit an application containing (among other info), the ID number of their permit to purchase, name, address, gender, race and a “…description of the firearm including the make, model, caliber and manufacturer’s number…”. Other bills awaiting more legislative action are HB1240, banning so-called “assault rifles” while SB5078, a state bill to allow lawsuits against firearms manufacturers and dealers has been sent to the Senate floor.
West Virginia: Gov. Jim Justice signed SB10, the Campus Self-Defense Bill, allowing law-abiding Right-to-Carry permit holders to carry on a college campus. SB555 and HB3252, which would ban any credit card company that tracks firearms and ammunition purchases from bidding on state contracts, have been introduced. Both are awaiting committee action in their separate houses.
Wyoming: SF148, an enhanced preemption law regarding firearms laws, is awaiting a vote in the House.
