By Tanya Metaksa
What’s New—Federal: DOJ issues memorandum: Postal Service ban on shipping handguns violates Second Amendment; Congress: Can they complete all appropriations bills by Jan. 31? Arizona: SB1058, reported out of Rules Committee; Colorado: Senate Bill 26‑004, before the Senate State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Committee on Tuesday, Jan. 27. Senate Committee on Judiciary: passed out SB1069 and SB1069 to the Rules Committee. Maryland: SB30 introduced; South Dakota: SB2, allowing silencers, passed the Senate; Virginia: Full court press on gun control bills; Washington: On Jan. 21, SB5098 passed the Senate on a 29-20 vote. SB6055: On Tuesday, Jan. 27, the Senate Law & Justice Committee will hold a public hearing.
Trump Administration
The NRA-ILA calls it “monumental,” the Buckeye Firearms Association describes it as a “landmark opinion,” and a Hodge Twins post states it is “A Big Win for the 2nd Amendment” and also mentions that the Trump DOJ “just dropped a bombshell.” After a lifetime of being involved in this fight, I would say, “Never in my lifetime would I have believed an administration would do this.”
On Jan. 15, the DOJ issued a memorandum titled “Constitutionality of 18 U.S.C. § 1715“. The document states that the Postal Service’s ban on shipping handguns violates the Second Amendment and “should no longer be enforced.” And it concludes:“…major express services currently forbid all persons from shipping firearms, except for some federal firearms licensees that have private shipping agreements. Thus, unlicensed private citizens face a complete ban on shipping concealable firearms, even though handguns are among the core “arms” protected by the Second Amendment.”
Congress
Congress is attempting to complete all the appropriations bills before the end of January.
State Legislatures
All state legislatures, except Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, and Texas, are in session in 2026.
The following legislatures convened their legislative sessions:
January 20, 2026: Alaska, Utah
Arizona: SB1058, prohibiting payment processors from using firearm-specific merchant category codes for firearms, ammunition, and components, reported out to the Rules Committee.
Colorado: Senate Bill 26‑004, which will broaden Colorado’s “red flag” law by allowing health‑care facilities, behavioral health treatment centers, K‑12 schools, and colleges and universities to ask a court for an extreme risk protection order will be before the Senate State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Committee on Tuesday, January 27.
Senate Committee on Judiciary: passed out SB1069 and SB1069 to the Rules Committee. SB1068, preventing universities, etc. From prohibiting Right-to-Carry permit holders from carrying on campuses. SB1069 removes muffling devices from the prohibited weapons list.
Indiana: Two bills have been passed by their respective committees in the House and Senate: HB1052, which ensures that Indiana treats antique firearms identically to federal law, and SB176, which prohibits local governments from imposing shooting range restrictions more onerous than state law.
Maryland: SB30, A bill to dramatically expand the reach of protective orders to include the confiscation of firearms, was introduced.
South Dakota: SB2, allowing silencers, passed the Senate/
Virginia: The following bills had a hearing on January 23, 2026
House pro-gun bills
- HB101 – Allows for alternate methods of applying for a Right-to-Carry permit
- HB106 – Reduces fees for Right-to-Carry permits
- HB 540 – Allows for exceptions in gun-free zones for female victims of assault.
- HB 623– allow for petitioning the Court for a return of weapon.
- HB 691 – Prevents localities from imposing any ordinance that restricts concealed carry in public places
- HB 696– Removes highway rest stops and government stores from the no carrR
- Restrictive gun bill HB702 – Creates a give-back scheme for the destruction of any firearms surrendered to the state.
Senate: the following bills are before the Senate Courts of Jusice Committee. Many more may also be heard.
- SB 797 & SB 643 – “Permit to Purchase” / Firearm Purchaser License
- Create a firearm purchaser license that most buyers must obtain before buying a firearm from a dealer in Virginia.
- License is issued by the Department of State Police, is generally valid for five years,.
- Applicants must submit fingerprints, complete approved firearms safety training with live fire within the last two years, pass a background check, be at least 21, and pay a fee; issuance can take up to 45 days.
- Private purchasers must also have a valid license verified, and certain temporary uses (like rentals) and out‑of‑state long gun purchases still require the license.
This bill establishes a licensing system that people must complete before they can legally purchase most firearms in Virginia.
- SB 749 – “Assault Firearm” and Magazine Restrictions
- Defines a broad category of “assault firearms,” including many semi‑automatic rifles, pistols, and shotguns based on features such as pistol grips, folding or adjustable stocks, threaded barrels, muzzle devices, detachable magazines, or certain fixed‑magazine capacities.
- Makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor to import, sell, manufacture, purchase, possess, transport, or transfer an assault firearm, with limited exceptions (e.g., law enforcement, military, antiques, manually operated firearms, and firearms manufactured before a specified date).
- Separately restricts magazines manufactured on or after July 1, 2026 that hold more than 10 rounds, effectively banning future sale or transfer of many standard‑capacity magazines.
- Bars individuals under 21 from possessing or acquiring assault firearms and authorizes seizure and forfeiture of firearms and magazines involved in violations.
This bill broadly defines and restricts so‑called “assault firearms” and higher‑capacity magazines, with criminal penalties and forfeiture provisions.
- SB 115 – Concealed Handgun Reciprocity: puts handgun carry reciprocity laws in jeopardy.
These bills expand the number of areas where firearms can be carried.
- SB 173 – Hospitals that providesmental health care.
- SB 272 – Public institutions of higher learning.
- Conduct for members of the firearms industry.
SB 27– Establishes many undefined terms for “conduct” and allows the VA Attorney General to bring civil actions.
Washington: On Jan. 21, SB5098 passed the Senate on a 29-20 vote. The bill prohibits the possession of firearms in parks, government buildings, and locations where “children are likely to be present.” Gov. Bob Ferguson is likely to sign it. SB6055: On Tuesday, Jan. 27, the Senate Law & Justice Committee will hold a public hearing to remove the fee cap on firearm background checks and expanding what the collected fees can be allocated.
