By Tanya Metaksa
What’s New— Federal: Consolidation of ATF and DEA proposal; Reconciliation v. Recission; Alaska: The Alaska legislature adjourned; California: CRPA President Chuck Michel posted on x.com; Florida: Gov. DeSantis signs HB6025; Louisiana: The Senate Judiciary C Committee voted to advance House Bill 289; Illinois: A bill that turns due process on its head, HB850, has passed the House, and The House passed SB8: Louisiana: The Senate Judiciary C Committee voted to advance House Bill 289; Maine: LD 820, “Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine to Establish the Right to Hunt and Fish” passed the House by a vote of 93-51; Oregon: SB243, the bill was changed by a 23-page amendment merging four anti-gun bills into a comprehensive, horrendous bill, has passed the Senate; Texas: the legislature has passed five pro-Second Amendment bills; Vermont: Governor Phil Scott (R-VT) announced that he will veto it S131; Washington: Governor Bob Ferguson signed HB1163 last week, which will establish a “permit to purchase” requirement before the purchase and transfer of firearms.
Federal
Gun Owners of America, in a tweet on x.com, that states, Merging is NOT abolishing, it’s a DANGEROUS Trojan Horse, has said that this language has been inserted in the federal budget:
“To most successfully, effectively, and efficiently continue the fight to eradicate the designated cartel FTLs and see to eliminate violent crime, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) will be incorporated into the DEA, addressing both drug and gun crimes. This transition will be initiated in FY2026 and achieve efficiencies in resources and case deconfliction.”
Mark W. Smith, Second Amendment attorney (@FourBoxesDiner on X.com and the Four Boxes Diner on YouTube.com), has uploaded a commentary on this Trump administration proposal. He acknowledges the administration is framing the merger proposal as a strategy to combat international drug and gun crimes more effectively. Yet, he, too, is very skeptical, but is withholding his final verdict. Understanding the ways of D.C., there will be many legislators and others debating it during the consideration of the FY26 budget.
Reconciliation v. Recission
Mark W. Smith, Second Amendment attorney (@FourBoxesDiner on X.com and the Four Boxes Diner on YouTube.com), has uploaded his explanation of Elon Musk’s reported departure from the Trump administration and the fate of the so-called “DOGE cuts.” He is trying to counter the liberal media’s attempt to confuse the public about Elon Musk’s leaving DOGE and what will happen to the DOGE-inspired cuts in spending. Because the subject is complicated, the liberal media have been conflating two legislative processes to create confusion: the reconciliation process, which is how the “Big Beautiful Bill” is being developed, and the DOGE cuts, both real and proposed.
The reconciliation process, used for the Big Beautiful Bill, allows Congress to pass budget-related measures (like tax cuts and changes to mandatory spending) with a simple majority in the Senate, bypassing the filibuster. However, reconciliation cannot be used to cut discretionary spending—the category where most DOGE cuts fall. DOGE cuts require separate legislation, such as a rescissions package or appropriations bill, because they target discretionary spending, not mandatory programs. The legislative process, whether at the federal or state level, can be confusing and arcane. Smith urges patience because he believes the Republicans in Congress know they must implement both tax reforms (the Big Beautiful Bill) and Doge cuts, which will be included in appropriations bills or as a rescissions package.
State Legislatures
Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming have adjourned.
Kansas and Maine are in recess.
Alaska: The Alaska legislature adjourned.
California: CRPA President Chuck Michel posted on X.com: “The removal of suppressors from the NFA is a huge win, but it does NOT lift the ban here in California. CRPA’s challenge to the ban, Sanchez v. Bonta, needs your help to repeal that ban once and for all!
“CRPA continues its fight for lawful suppressor possession in California throughout ongoing litigation in Sanchez v. Bonta, which we hope will be influenced by the bold actions of Congress.”
Florida: Gov. Ron DeSantis signs HB6025 that protects Second Amendment rights during a state of emergency.
Illinois: A bill that turns due process on its head, HB850, has passed the House. This bill requires individuals whose FOID card has been revoked to submit a form disclosing all firearms and surrender them to law enforcement. The House also passed SB8, expanding mandatory storage laws, which now goes to anti-gun Governor Pritzker.
Louisiana: The Senate Judiciary C Committee voted to advance House Bill 289, to enhance and strengthen protections for firearm and ammunition industry members in Louisiana. HB 289 now goes to a vote in the Senate.
Maine: The Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary, Sen. Anne Carney (D-Cumberland), one of the most anti-gun state politician is working diligently to deny the passage of LD208 and LD1203 both designed to eliminate the 72-Hour waiting period before a firearm’s purchase, by scheduling them for another “work” session and committee vote. At that committee session, consideration of the bills was tabled. On May 29, LD 820, “Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine to Establish the Right to Hunt and Fish,” passed the House by a vote of 93-51.
Massachusetts: As a result of legislation passed in 2024, the Executive Office of Public Safety is seeking public input. For further information on how you can help, contact GOAL.
New Hampshire: SB54 has been amended to include a firearms safety program in New Hampshire elementary schools. The vote should have been on 5/31/2025 in the Senate.
Oregon: SB243, the bill was changed by a 23-page amendment merging four anti-gun bills into a comprehensive, horrendous bill, has passed the Senate. The Oregon Firearms Federation had this to say after the Senate passage: “Today, all Senate Republicans showed up to provide the quorum the Democrats needed to pass SB 243, Oregon’s latest gun ban. Words cannot express the magnitude of the ignorance and stupidity showcased by most of the floor speeches.”
Texas: After several attempts to pass a bill recognizing valid out-of-state carry permits, SB706 is headed to Governor Greg Abbott for his expected signature. Additionally, the legislature passed four more pro-Second Amendment bills: SB1362, prohibits the recognition or enforcement of red flag laws unless specifically authorized by Texas law; SB1596, removes short-barreled rifles and shotguns from Texas’ prohibited weapons list; HB1403, removes the regulation that required foster parents to supply an inventory of firearms; and HB3053, prohibits municipal governments from sponsoring weapons buy-back programs. Gov. Abbott is expected to sign these bills.
Vermont: S131, which changes the Burlington City Charter to allow the city to ban firearms, passed the legislature. Governor Phil Scott (R-VT) announced that he will veto it.
Washington: Governor Bob Ferguson signed HB1163 last week, which will establish a “permit to purchase” requirement before the purchase and transfer of firearms. The permitting system will take effect on May 1, 2027, if fully funded by June 30 of this year.
