By Tanya Metaksa
What’s New—2025-National; National Defense Authorization Act : awaits passage in the Senate; State Legislative 2025 Summary—Part II—Missouri through Wyoming.
2025-National
All Trump Cabinet members were confirmed, including Pam Bondi as Attorney General, Kash Patel as FBI Director, and Doug Burgum, a former North Dakota governor, as Secretary of the Interior. Already 43 pro-2A judges have been confirmed. The Veterans Second Amendment Act has been reintroduced.
National Defense Authorization Act
The 65th annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) has been published—the bill defining the budget and policies for the U.S. Department of Defense for Fiscal Year 2026, Section 1062 concerns the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP). If the measure is enacted, the CMP—known for offering surplus M1 Garand rifles and M1911 pistols to the public—could soon begin selling military surplus shotguns as well.
FY 2016’s version included language urging the Secretary of Defense to allow certain service members to carry firearms and permitting the U.S. Army to transfer surplus vintage firearms to the CMP, ending the costly practice of warehousing unused weapons at taxpayer expense. Although the 2016 NDAA authorized the transfer of up to 10,000 surplus .45-caliber M1911 pistols annually, the program was delayed until President Trump took office in 2017, when sales finally began. Those efforts later slowed under the Biden-Harris administration but resumed promptly in 2025 with more efficient processing under the returning Trump administration.
The FY2026 NDAA recently passed the U.S. House of Representatives and now awaits final Senate approval before heading to President Trump’s desk. If signed, the CMP will receive surplus pump-action shotguns—an expansion that would allow citizens to own a tangible piece of American military history.
Shotguns have held a storied place in U.S. military service, earning renown as formidable trench weapons during World War I, when American forces became the only military to deploy them in large-scale combat. The tradition continues today, as manufacturers like Mossberg remain under contract to provide combat shotguns to U.S. troops.
Since 1903, the CMP has played a vital role in promoting firearm safety, marksmanship training, and national competitions. Although subject to congressional oversight, the CMP operates as a nonprofit organization, funding its educational and safety programs in part through sales of surplus firearms. Its 2024 annual report highlights how more than 20,000 surplus firearms were sold last year alone—sales the CMP describes as the “economic engine” driving its mission.
State Legislative 2025 Summary—Part II
Last week, we covered the states from Alabama to Michigan; this week, we continue with Minnesota through Wyoming. No anti-Second Amendment legislation passed in the following states: Mississippi, Ohio
Minnesota: Until June 2025, hunters in Minnesota were not allowed to use rifles for deer hunting. For 80 years, they were restricted to long-standing shotgun-only zones established in the 1940s to help rebuild the state’s deer population. Now that deer numbers are sufficiently high, leading to issues like property damage and deer-vehicle collisions, these shotgun-only zones are seen as outdated and unnecessary. The legislature included a repeal of this law in a new environmental bill that was passed and signed by Governor Tim Walz. On March 6, HF13, a bill to eliminate the Minnesota law that included a duty to retreat, failed with a 66-66 vote. In October, a new special Senate working group on gun violence prevention convened. Finally, just before Christmas, Governor Walz issued two anti-Second Amendment executive orders: the first promotes a statewide educational initiative on firearm storage, Minnesota’s “red flag” laws, and mandates the Department of Commerce to collect data from insurance companies about the financial impacts of gun violence. The second establishes a Statewide Safety Council focused on preventing mass violence, targeted attacks, and domestic terrorism.
Missouri: Although bills to strengthen preemption and permit concealed carry on public transportation were introduced and received votes, no firearm-related bills moved forward to the governor’s desk this session.
Montana: On Thursday, May 8, Governor Greg Gianforte signed House Bill 809 into law, preventing citizens from being affected by local “red flag” laws and any external funding aimed at promoting such policies. The legislature adjourned on April 30.
Nebraska: An amendment to LB150 transferred the state’s background check process for handgun permits to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). LB150 was passed in the final weeks of the session and quickly signed by Governor Pillen. The legislature adjourned in June.
Nevada: On June 3 at 12:35 am, the Democratic legislature adjourned after passing several bills that oppose the Second Amendment. In June, Governor Lombardo vetoed AB105, which bans firearms within 100 feet of polling places; AB245, which denies 18- to 20-year-olds their Second Amendment rights; and SB156, which requires the appointment of a Special Counsel for the Prevention of Gun Violence within the Office of the Attorney General.
New Hampshire: After several anti-Second Amendment bills and a firearms education bill failed in the legislature, Rep. Terry Roy, sponsor of the firearms education bill, vowed to try again in 2026.
New Jersey: In July, New Jersey Firearms Owners Syndicate, NRA-ILA, and CCRKBA united to persuade towns across the state to refund $150 of the $200 application fee for concealed carry permits. During the lame-duck session in December, Democrats passed their anti-Second Amendment bills. S.1425 is presented as targeting gun traffickers; however, it is said to instead threaten compliant firearms dealers by imposing liability if they “reasonably should know” a buyer is prohibited, even though all sales already require background checks at the federal and state levels. The bill passed the Assembly 47–25. A.4975 establishes a new crime for possessing digital instructions to unlawfully manufacture firearms or parts, with harsh penalties, despite an existing law banning the use of such files. A.4978 mandates the Attorney General to collect and report data on shootings that do not result in injuries. A.4981 gives courts up to seven days to decide on pretrial release or detention in firearm cases, which opponents see as a broadening of pretrial confinement authority. These bills are now on Governor Murphy’s desk.
New Mexico: Although the anti-gun Democrats introduced several anti-Second Amendment bills, the only one that passed was HB12. This bill allows law enforcement officers to request extreme risk firearm protection orders based on information obtained during their duties, making law enforcement both the source and the mechanism. It also requires immediate surrender of firearms by those subject to an order, removing the 48-hour grace period. The bill was promptly signed by Governor Lujan Grisham before the legislature adjourned on March 22.
New York: The anti-gun politicians worked hard to pass anti-Second Amendment bills, but they were unsuccessful in 2025. Still, 2026 could revive many of those bills still in progress.
North Carolina: Although the Senate overrode Governor Josh Stein’s veto, the House has been rescheduling veto override votes since July. Updated 12/16 – The House has rescheduled the veto override vote on Senate Bill 50 to Jan. 12.
North Dakota: HB1588 was signed into law on April 23rd. The law enhanced existing Right-to-Carry laws.
Oklahoma: After some corporations and financial institutions threatened to withdraw or restrict services to the firearm industry as a way to push gun control policies outside the legislative process, SB500 was introduced. The bill, signed into law on August 11 by Governor Kevin Stitt, prohibits public entities from contracting with companies unless those companies certify they do not discriminate against firearm-related businesses.
Oregon: After nearly three years of being denied the implementation of Ballot Measure 114, the legislature finally passed a bill, SB243, that incorporates most of the initiative’s language. Governor Tina Kotek signed it in mid-November.
Pennsylvania: Although proponents claim that HB189 is a records modernization bill, Second Amendment supporters argue that it is a “backdoor” registration bill. It was passed by the House Judiciary Committee with a 14-12 party-line vote. Then it was “laid on the table,” meaning it is set aside on the calendar and becomes inactive. However, it can be brought back later by another vote or motion. The legislature operates on a 2-year session and will not adjourn until late 2026.
Rhode Island: SB359, a bill often described as an assault weapons law, was approved by the legislature and signed into law by Governor Dan McKee on June 26. The bill creates a new chapter, Chapter 47.2, to Title 11 of the General Laws, titled “Unlawful Sale of Prohibited Firearms.” It defines various terms related to firearms, including “prohibited firearm,” which covers specific types of semi-automatic shotguns, rifles, and pistols that have certain magazine capacities or features, such as folding or telescoping stocks, grenade launchers, and threaded barrels.
South Carolina: Two bills, HB3872, the Hunting Heritage Protection Act, and H3930, the Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act, passed the House this year and will remain eligible for consideration by the Senate in 2026.
South Dakota: SB100 The South Dakota legislature launched a second wave of Second Amendment legislation in 2025 by passing a series of laws that significantly expand where and how concealed firearms can be carried. SB100 focuses on public higher education campuses, HB 1218 on local government workplaces and certain “gun-free” businesses, and HB1222 on firearms in vehicles on school grounds. SB81 and HB1080 have more limited effects, restricting the use of gun-specific merchant codes and curbing private covenants that restrict gun ownership or use.
Tennessee: On April 22, the Tennessee General Assembly adjourned its 2025 legislative session, sending two pro-gun measures to Governor Bill Lee for his consideration. Senate Bill 1318 / House Bill 1332 – Clarifies that Tennesseans can obtain a concealed handgun carry permit starting at 18 years old. Senate Bill 1360 / House Bill 873 – Shields the firearm industry from civil liability when lawful products are criminally misused by others, aiming to make Tennessee a more attractive state for firearm-related businesses. Governor Lee signed these bills on May 2.
Texas: Governor Greg Abbott recently signed five pro-gun bills into law, demonstrating ongoing support for Second Amendment rights. Abbott, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, Speaker Burrows, and other legislative leaders received praise for their support of firearm rights.
The new laws include:
- HB 1403: Prevents child placement and state agencies from requiring foster parents to disclose firearm inventories and keeps such information confidential.
- SB 706: Expands recognition of out-of-state handgun carry licenses and aligns Texas’ License to Carry (LTC) provisions with its permitless carry laws.
- SB 1362: Protects due process by forbidding Texas from recognizing or enforcing red flag orders unless specifically authorized by state law.
- SB 1596: Removes short-barreled rifles and shotguns from Texas’s list of prohibited weapons, although they remain federally regulated under the National Firearms Act.
- SB 1718: Makes the NRA’s Annual Meetings & Exhibits eligible for the Major Events Reimbursement Program, encouraging the event’s return to Texas to spur economic benefits.
These measures collectively strengthen gun rights protections and promote Texas as a gun-friendly state.
Utah: The Utah Legislature adjourned its 2025 session at the start of March. Several anti-gun bills were defeated, including SB130, a 52-page omnibus gun-control bill.
Vermont: The Senate approved S131, a ban on firearms in Burlington establishments that serve alcohol. Then, Governor Phil Scott announced he would veto the bill, causing it to lose all its momentum.
Virginia: The Democrat-controlled legislature passed two dozen bills in 2025. Republican governor Glenn Youngkin vetoes all of them. Unfortunately, the 2026 legislature is still majority Democrat, and now there is a Democrat governor.
Washington: On Tuesday, May 20, Governor Bob Ferguson signed HB1163, establishing a “permit to purchase” requirement for firearm purchases and transfers in Washington state. The permitting framework is scheduled to take effect on May 1, 2027, contingent on full funding being provided by June 30.
West Virginia: On Friday, April 25, Governor Patrick Morrisey signed two firearm industry protection bills, HB 2067 and HB 3342, into law, with a ceremonial bill signing held on April 28 alongside Second Amendment advocacy groups. HB 2067, the West Virginia Firearm Liability Clarification Act, provides liability protections to firearm industry members against claims resulting from third-party criminal or unlawful misuse of lawfully manufactured or sold products. HB 3342, the Firearm Industry Nondiscrimination (FIND) Act, prevents public entities from contracting with businesses unless they certify that they do not discriminate against firearm-related companies, ensuring that taxpayer funds do not support corporations or financial institutions that deny services to the firearm industry based on political or ideological reasons.
Wisconsin: Governor Tony Evers started 2025 by signing an executive order establishing an Office of Violence Protection. At the end of the year, specifically December, Wisconsin lawmakers introduced Assembly Joint Resolution 112, a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at strengthening protections for the right to keep and bear arms. The measure would require courts to apply strict scrutiny when evaluating any law that restricts this fundamental right. AJR 112 has been referred to the Assembly Committee on Judiciary, with a hearing scheduled for Jan. 7. The Wisconsin legislature carries over bills from odd-numbered years to even-numbered years.
Wyoming: February 20th, HB172, the “Wyoming Repeal Gun Free Zones Act,” passed its second reading in the Senate without any new amendments. On Friday, February 21st, the Senate approved HB172, the “Wyoming Repeal Gun Free Zones Act,” by a 25-6 vote. The House then quickly concurred and passed HB172 as amended. Governor Mark Gordon, who had vetoed a similar bill in a previous legislature, chose to let this bill become law without his signature. His letter, which I found interesting, is available here.
