Happy Memorial Day
By Tanya Metaksa
What’s New— Federal Legislation: The One Big Beautiful Bill: Louisiana: HB220 defeated, two bills, HB393 and HB407, passed by overwhelming numbers; Maine: one anti-Second Amendment bill and one pro-Second-Amendment bill to be voted on; Michigan: House Natural Resources and Tourism Committee passed HB4285, initiating the process of teaching hunter education in Michigan schools; Rhode Island: groups supporting Town Council resolutions opposing “assault-weapons” bill in legislature; Texas: SB706 is headed to Governor Greg Abbott for his expected signature; Vermont: Governor Phil Scott (R-VT) announced that he will veto S131, which would change the Burlington City Charter to allow the city to ban firearms; Washington: Governor Bob Ferguson signed HB1163 last week
Federal Legislation: The “One Big Beautiful Bill”
“In the early morning hours of Thursday, May 22,” Dave Workman wrote, “the U.S. House passed a sweeping budget reconciliation package that includes removing firearm suppressors from regulation under the 1934 National Firearms Act, achieving a victory for proponents of the Hearing Protection Act,” For the past 57 years, since President Lyndon Johnson’s administration passing the 1968 Gun Control Act, Second Amendment supporters in the U.S. Congress have been fighting a rear-guard action against Democrat sponsored legislation. Although this is a monumental victory, it still has a long way to go.
The procedures and votes in the U.S. Senate are and continue to be a stumbling block to final passage. The anti-gun lobby, which has millions to throw into the fight, is being activated. Representative Mike Thompson (D-CA) reflected during the legislative debate in the House what we can likely expect to hear from the anti-gun, anti-Second Amendment proponents’ perspective. His argument against the provision to eliminate the suppressor tax, emphasized that it would “make it harder for victims of mass shootings to know where the shots are coming from as they’re trying to run for cover” and emphasized that the change was not about hearing protection but rather about benefiting a segment of the gun industry.
State Legislatures
Alabama, 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.
Louisiana: On May 23, the House voted on three gun-related measures: HB220 was defeated, while two pro-gun bills, HB393 and HB407, passed. HB393, which passed 73-16, clarifies the current law by recognizing the rights of bystanders or spectators to carry a concealed handgun at a parade or demonstration. HB407, which passed with a 71-16 vote, allows non-residents to apply for and obtain a Louisiana Concealed Handgun Permit. Additionally, SB 101 removes gun-free zones from the law to ensure that constitutional carriers and out-of-state concealed carry permit holders with reciprocity in Louisiana can carry firearms in more areas across the state. The bill has passed the Senate and is now before the House.
Maine: Two bills are set to be voted on in both the Senate and House in the coming days. One, an anti-Second Amendment bill, LD1743, allows municipalities in Maine to establish their gun-free zones and has faced bipartisan opposition. The other bill, LD1867, aims to protect the privacy of firearm purchasers and has received support.
Michigan: Last week, the House Natural Resources and Tourism Committee voted to pass HB4285, initiating the process of teaching hunter education in Michigan schools. This bill is now headed to the House floor for a vote.
Rhode Island: A group of Second Amendment supporters in Smithfield, Rhode Island, is working to bring a resolution from the Town Council to oppose the bill banning assault weapons that is under consideration by the General Assembly. Already, 13 municipalities in the State Have passed similar resolutions.
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.
Vermont: Although 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, 2025.
