On Tuesday, Governor Jan Brewer vetoed House Bill 2729, legislation that would have allowed concealed weapons in public buildings that lack adequate security measures. The Senate voted 19 to 11 in favor of the bill on April 12 and the state House passed the bill by a 37 to 21 vote on March 6.
HB 2729, sponsored by state Representative David Gowan (R-30), would have amended various sections of the Arizona Revised Statutes to remove the current prohibition on entering a public establishment or attending any public event while carrying a weapon on one’s person. Instead it would have provided for regulation of firearms and ammunition on public property only if specific criteria were met.
The NRA believes that this issue needs to be addressed. We have and will continue to work with the Legislature, Governor and all interested parties toward a legislative solution in 2013.