Arizona: Revised Committee Hearing Schedule

The House Judiciary Committee hearing which was scheduled for tomorrow, March 9, has been canceled.  Senate Bill 1266, the state firearms preemption bill, was scheduled to be considered by the committee in this hearing.  The committee has not rescheduled the hearing at this time, but please stay tuned to www.nraila.org and your email inbox for further updates about SB 1266. 

As previously reported, SB 1266, sponsored by state Senator Steve Smith (R-11), would improve the state firearms preemption law to ensure consistency throughout the Grand Canyon State.  This would be done 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.  

House Bill 2446 and House Bill 2524 are both still on the Senate Government Committee’s agenda and will be considered tomorrow at 2:00pm. 

HB 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. 

HB 2524 would create a “Uniform Firearm Transfer Compact.”  Under the 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. 

Once again, please stay tuned to www.nraila.org and your email inbox for further updates on these bills as Arizona Legislature’s 2016 session progresses.