Three NRA-Backed Bills Continue to Progress in Arizona

Senate Bill 1469 passed in the House Committee of the Whole and will soon be heard for its third and final reading.  SB 1469 would strengthen the current “Castle Doctrine” self-defense law by broadening the definition of reasonable use of force, including deadly force, to provide greater protection for those forced to defend themselves or family from an attacker.  This legislation is critical to those would-be victims thrust into a life or death situation and would further protect the victim from becoming prosecuted as a criminal.

Please contact your state Representative today and respectfully urge him or her to vote in favor of SB 1469. To find your state Representative and their contact information, please click here.

Yesterday, Senate Bill 1201 passed in the House by a 30 to 20 vote with two absent votes on its third and final reading.  The state Senate also voted to concur with the state House version of the bill and it will now be sent to the Governor for her approval.  SB 1201 would, among other things, remove arbitrary bans across the state on carrying a firearm for self-defense. This pro-gun comprehensive firearms reform measure would make a number of improvements to Arizona’s carry laws.  Most importantly, it would help put an end to “gun free” signs limiting your Right-to-Carry in most currently prohibited places and unsecured buildings.

In the state Senate, House Bill 2645 passed unanimously and will return to the House for its concurrence before going to the Governor’s desk.  This bill is designed to meet the requirements of the federal NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 by enabling persons who have lost their firearm rights because of a mental health-related commitment or adjudication to petition a court to have them restored.  Before granting a petition, the court would have to find that the person is not likely to act in a manner that is dangerous to public safety and that granting the requested relief would not be contrary to the public interest.  This bill will ensure that people who can safely and responsibly possess firearms are not unnecessarily deprived of their rights.

Also, Senate Bill 1467 was recently passed by the state House and sent to Governor Jan Brewer’s desk for approval but has yet to be signed.  If signed into law, SB 1467 will prohibit an educational institution from adopting or enforcing any policy prohibiting the possession of a concealed weapon or regulating the lawful transportation or storage of a firearm.  This self-defense reform bill would only enable those legally allowed by state and federal law to carry a firearm on a college or university campus to do so, ending the arbitrary boundaries where a person can lawfully carry a firearm for self-defense.  However, this legislation does not prevent colleges or universities from prohibiting the carrying a firearm inside campus buildings.

SB 1467 still awaits Governor Brewer’s approval and has until Monday, April 18, to get signed.  It is very important that you contact Governor Jan Brewer TODAY and respectfully urge her to sign SB 1467 into law before Monday’s deadline and sign SB 1201 when they reach her desk.  Click here to e-mail the Governor or call her at (602) 542-4331.