By Tanya Metaksa
What’s New—State Legislatures: California- the legislature did not attack the gun bills as of yet; Politics: Important August primary election results and well as listing of endorsed candidates.
State Legislatures: Still in session:
States running through to Dec. 31: Michigan, New Jersey, and Ohio. Pennsylvania session runs through Nov. 30.
California: Today, the legislature returns to attack Second Amendment rights, again! These bills have been passed in their originating House and are now waiting for votes in the final House before going to the Governor.
Awaiting a vote on the Senate floor: AB1974. Sold as a “voluntary” gun storage option, this bill gives the state more control over your legally owned firearms. It introduces more paperwork and bureaucracy when you try to retrieve your property, making it more difficult or costly to recover guns that are turned in for short-term safekeeping.
- California Senate Appropriations Suspense File – where finance bills are held before they are voted upon
AB1743 expands the state’s gun-owner data-sharing system, allowing more people to access information in California’s firearms databases. That’s concerning in a state where officials already leaked the personal data of thousands of gun owners and carry permit holders in a major 2022 breach.
- California Senate Appropriation – Hearing was set for August 3, 2026
AB1753 – “Clarifies” Gun Violence Restraining Order rules by including ammunition in the same process used to seize firearms. In practice, it further bolsters red flag laws that have already taken away rights from lawful gun owners while avoiding basic due process. - AB1810 – Grants the California DOJ more authority to remove licensed firearm dealers from the state’s approved list and increases targeted annual inspections. The additional bureaucracy and enforcement could make it easier to force compliant dealers out of business.
- AB2047 – Limits the sale of 3D printers unless they include “firearm blueprint detection algorithms.” This broad restriction on legal technology raises serious concerns about free speech, innovation, and the rights of everyday Californians— including countless STEM teachers and tech professionals who depend on these tools.
In the Assembly Appropriations Committee:
- SB948 significantly expands California’s Firearm Safety Certificate requirements by mandating a minimum four-hour class with live-fire and official instruction starting in 2028. Crime involving guns isn’t caused by a lack of rules, but this bill adds more time and expense for law-abiding gun owners while doing nothing to stop criminals.
- SB1220 creates a new misdemeanor crime that bans guns and results in a 10-year firearm ban for anyone convicted of dealing with a gun that has altered identifying marks or a removed serial number. California already classifies this behavior: as a misdemeanor; this bill just adds another way to lose your constitutional rights over a growing list of lesser offenses.
NC: The legislature met, but no Vote on SB50. The last effort may happen after the election in November.
Remaining Primary Elections Calendar:
July 28 gubernatorial primary election results
August Primary elections:: Alaska, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, Washington, and Wyoming
August 2026 Gubernatorial primary elections
The NRA Political Victory Fund has lined up behind pro‑gun Republican candidates in three states, endorsing Tom Tiffany in Wisconsin, Marsha Blackburn in Tennessee, and Ty Masterson in Kansas. To date, both Ty Masterson and Marsha Blackburn have won their respective primary elections. and assigning each its highest “A+” or endorsement rating.
Kansas gubernatorial primary – August 4
The NRA-PVF has issued an “A+” rating and formal endorsement to State Senate President Ty Masterson in the 2026 gubernatorial primary, He won his election with the Nov. election against Democrat Cindy Holscher.
Tennessee gubernatorial primary – August 6
In Tennessee’s August 6 gubernatorial primary, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn was the endorsed Republican candidate for governor, Winning her primary election.
Wisconsin gubernatorial primary – August 11
The NRA-PVF has endorsed U.S. Representative Tom Tiffany for governor in the August 11 primary and awarded him an “A+” rating, signaling both strong alignment with the NRA’s policy priorities and a record of active leadership on Second Amendment issues. The endorsement release characterizes Tiffany as a “proven champion” of the right to keep and bear arms, emphasizing his congressional record supporting legislation favorable to gun owners and sportsmen.
Winning Endorsed candidates in Primary elections – August 4
Kansas: The following endorsed candidates won their election: U.S. Senator: Senator Roger Marshall; U.S. House: CD-1: Rep. Tracey Mann; CD-2: Rep Derek Schmidt; CD-4: Rep. Ron Estes; State House: District 5-Rep.Courtney Sappington; District 42-Rep. Lance W. Neelly; District 54-Rep. Ken Corbet; District 61-Rep. Francis Awerkamp; District 65-Rep. Shaun Chauncey; District 68-Rep. Nathan (Nate) Butler; District 70-Rep.Greg H Wilson; District 71-Rep. Steven K. Howe; District 72-Rep. Avery Anderson; District 74-Rep. Mike King; District 75-Tyler Coats; District 76-Russel Stukey??; District 85-Rep. Ford Carr; District 85-Rep. Steven Brunk; District 101-Casey Slaughter; District 102-Rep. Kyler Sweely; District 102-Rep. Dawn Wolf; District 116-Rep. Kyle D. Hoffman; District 120-Rep. Adam Smith; District 120-Rep. Mike Storm..
Michigan: U.S. House: CD-1: Rep. Jack Bergman; CD-4: Rep. Bill Huizenga; State Senate: District 24-Doug Wozniak; District 26-Matt Bierlein; District 32-Kim Cole; District 34-Senator Roger Hauck; District 34-Senator Jason Tunney; State House: District 13-Casey Armitage; District 36-Rep. Stephen Carra; District 37-Rep. Brad Paquette; District 39-Rep. Pauline Wendzel; District 67-Rep.Phil Green; District 85-Rep. Bradley Slagh; District 88-Rep. Greg VanWoerkom.
Missouri: U.S. House: CD-2: Rep Ann Wagner; CD-3: Rep Bob Onder; CD-4: Rep. Mark Alford; CD-5: Rick Brattin; CD-7: Rep Eric W. Burlison; State Senate: District 20-Senator Curtis Trent; District 22-Senator Jill Carter; District 6—Rep. Michael Davis; District 62-Bruce Sassmann; District 97-Rep. David Casteel; District 106-Rep. Travis Wllson; District 108-Mike Costlow; District 138-Rep. Burton Whaley; District 139-Rep. Bob Titus; District 140-Rep. Jamie Gragg; District 144-Rep.Tony Harbison; District 145-Rep. Tony Harbison; District 140-Rep.Bryant Wolfin; District 140-Rep. Jeffrey Shawan; District 154-Rep..Lisa Durnell.
Virginia: U.S. House: CD-5-Rep. John McGuire
Washington: U.S. House: CD-3 – John Braun; CD-5 – Representative Michael Baumgartner. State Senate: District 7-Senator Shelly Short; House: District 02 – Pos. 2-Rep. Matt Marshall; District 04-Pos.2-Rep. Rob Chase; District 12-Pos.2-Rep. Mike Steele; District 17-Pos.1-Rep. Kevin Waters; District 19-Pos.2-Rep. Joel McEntire; District 25 -Pos.1-Rep. Michael Keaton; District 25-Pos.1-Rep. Cyndy Jacobsen; District 35-Pos.1-Rep. Dan Griffey; District 39-Pos. 1-Rep. Sam Low; District 39-Pos. 2 Rep. Robert J. Sutherland
Primary election – August 6
Tennessee: Governor: Marsha Blackburn; U.S. House: CD-4: Rep. Scott DesJarlais; State Senate: District 01-Senator J. Adam Lowe; District 03-Senator Rusty Crowe; District 07-Senator Richard M. Briggs; District 17-Senator Mark Pody; State House: District 11-Kenny Cody; District 18-Rep. Elaine Davis; District 23-Rep. Mark Cochran; District 27-Rep. Michele Reneau; District 31-Andy (Andrew) J. Swafford; District 43-Rep. Paul Sherrell; District 44-Rep.William Lamberth; District 65-Rep. Lee Reeves; District 92-Rep. Todd Warner; District 99-Rep. Tom Leatherwood.
Hawaii: there are primary elections on August 8, but there are no candidate endorsements.
Endorsed candidates in Primary elections – August 11
Alabama: Special Primary: U.S. House: CD-1: Rep. Jerry Carl; CD-2: Rhett Marquis; CD-6: Rep. Gary Palmer
Minnesota: Governor & LT Governor: Lisa Demuth and Ryan Wilson: US Senator: Adam Schwarze; CD-1: Rep. Brad Finstad; CD-6: Rep.Tom Emmer; CD-8: Rep. Pere Stauber; State Senate: District 07-Senator Paul Utke; District 10-Nathan Wesenberg; District 19-Senator John R. Jasinski; State House: District 06B-Rep. Josh Hentzeman; District 09B–Rep. Tom Murphy;District 14A-Rep. John Jose; District 17A-Rep. Dawn Gillman; District 20B-Sara Bertschinger.
Wisconsin: Governor-Tom Tiffany; State Senate: District 01-Katie Baney; District 11-Ellen L Schutt; Assembly: District 33-Steve Wicklund;l District 37-Rep. Mark L. Born; District 76-Rep. Chanz J Green.
