Arizona: Pro-Gun Legislation Advances in The Grand Canyon State

As previously reported, Senate Bill 1266, an important bill which would improve Arizona’s current state firearms preemption statute, passed the Senate on Thursday, February 18, with an 18-11 vote.  SB 1266 was sent to the House of Representatives for further consideration where it is currently waiting to be scheduled for a House committee hearing.  Your NRA-ILA will keep you updated on the status of this critical bill as it progresses through the Arizona Legislature.

SB 1266, sponsored by state Senator Steve Smith (R-11), would improve the state firearms preemption law by providing a mechanism to declare unlawful regulations null and void in addition to providing penalties for knowing and willful violations by localities.  SB 1266 is a much-needed protection that will help law-abiding gun owners ensure they are in compliance with the law. 

Senate Bill 1257, sponsored by state Senator John Kavanagh (R-23), makes changes to existing law and expands the list of places where law-abiding gun owners can exercise their fundamental right to self-defense to include some additional public areas where certain security measures are not in place.  SB 1257 is still waiting to be scheduled for consideration by the full Senate.

Last week, two pro-gun bills passed the House of Representatives and will now go to the state Senate for further consideration.

House Bill 2224 would prohibit the state and any political subdivision from levying a fee, tax, assessment or other financial encumbrance on the transfer of a firearm between two private parties who are not prohibited under state or federal law. 

House Bill 2446, sponsored by state Representative David Livingston (R-22), makes necessary revisions to Arizona’s current definition of a “prohibited weapon” to exclude all firearms or devices that are legally possessed in compliance with the National Firearms Act (NFA).   The technical correction made by HB 2446 changes the registration of NFA items from the Treasury Department to the appropriate Federal Agency in order to be compliant with current federal law. 

Additionally, two more pro-gun bills were scheduled for committee hearings and votes last week. 

House Bill 2524, would create a “Uniform Firearm Transfer Compact.” Under this compact, every state that agrees to the terms would maintain reliably uniform firearm transfer laws to ensure consistency in public policy.  This compact would promote a better public understanding of the law, especially for individuals who travel and establish residences among member states.  HB 2524 passed the House Judiciary Committee with a 4-2 vote on February 17. 

House Bill 2338, would prohibit educational institutions from adopting policies that would prohibit individuals from lawfully possessing or carrying a firearm in their vehicle (means of transportation) on a public right-of-way. HB 2338 passed the House Judiciary Committee with a 3-2 vote on February 17. 

Please continue checking www.nraila.org and your email inbox for further updates on these bills as they progress through the Arizona Legislature.