By Tanya Metaksa
HAPPY NEW YEAR
What’s New—2025 Legislative Summary Part I, Legislative Sessions; The following states adjourned with no legislative action on Second Amendment laws in 2025: Georgia-April 4; Idaho-April 4; Indiana-April 24; Kentucky-March 28; Maryland-April 7; Mississippi-April 3; 2026 Pre-Legislative Action-Florida; Carry-over action-Michigan; New Jersey; North Carolina;
State Legislative 2025 Summary (Part I, Part II next week)
The following states are still in SESSION:
Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin
The following states adjourned with no legislative action on Second Amendment laws in 2025: Georgia: April 4; Idaho, April 4; Indiana April 24; Kentucky: March 28; Maryland: April 7; Mississippi: April 3;
Alaska: Although several anti-Second Amendment bills were heard in committee, the legislature adjourned on May 21 without any further action.
Alabama: A hearing on anti-gun bills was held on February 12, but no action was taken, and the legislature adjourned on May 14.
Arizona: Before adjournment on June 27, Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed SB1014, SB1020, SB1143, and SB1705 on public‑safety and law‑enforcement grounds, rejecting the Legislature’s effort to further insulate gun ownership and the firearms industry from regulation and oversight. Her veto messages frame these bills as increasing risks of gun violence, hindering criminal investigations, and unduly restricting local authority.
Suppressors (Silencers) SB1014 would have removed “silencers” from Arizona’s statutory definition of “prohibited weapon,” going beyond current law, which only exempts suppressors possessed in compliance with federal law.
Campus Carry SB 1020 would have barred Arizona’s public universities and colleges from enforcing policies that prohibit concealed‑carry permit holders from carrying firearms on campus or from transporting and storing firearms in locked vehicles.
Merchant Category Codes SB 1143 sought to prohibit governmental entities from using firearm‑specific merchant category codes (MCCs) and from maintaining certain records of firearms or firearms‑related transactions, aiming to prevent what supporters characterized as financial surveillance and discrimination against gun owners and gun‑related businesses. Hobbs vetoed the bill because MCCs are “vital tools” that help law enforcement identify perpetrators, detect gun trafficking patterns, and investigate mass‑casualty threats, and she wrote that Arizona should make it easier, not harder, for law enforcement to catch violent criminals.
Firearm Preemption Enforcement SB 1705 would have strengthened Arizona’s firearm preemption regime by allowing civil penalties—reportedly up to $5,000—against local officials who knowingly enact gun regulations that conflict with state law, thereby putting “teeth” into statewide preemption.
These vetoes continue a broader pattern since 2023 in which Hobbs has rejected Republican‑led firearm bills she characterizes as extreme, including prior efforts to legalize silencers, mandate campus carry, and further shield the gun industry from local regulation and accountability.
Arkansas: On March 5th, the House Insurance & Commerce Committee considered House Bill 1443 and House Bill 1509, two measures addressing firearm financial privacy. House Bill 1443 would establish financial privacy protections for firearm owners and businesses. The two bills were “watered down in the House Insurance and Commerce Committee and then failed in the House. The legislature adjourned on May 5.
Colorado: In 2025, Governor Jared Polis signed one major Second Amendment–related firearms bill, SB25‑00, and one hunting/conservation bill, SB25‑049, plus a proclamation related to wild game donation.
Connecticut: Connecticut House Bill 7042 was signed into law by Governor Ned Lamont on June 10, as Public Act No. 25-43, and became effective Oct. 1. The legislation implements provisions of the Firearm Industry Responsibility Act and addresses firearm permits, eligibility certificates, and self-defense. The law permits civil actions against members of the firearm industry who fail to exercise “reasonable controls” over their products. It is an attempt to nullify the federal PLCAA. The bill was introduced by the Judiciary Committee and passed through both chambers with significant partisan support, sponsored by 28 Democrats and one member of another party. It received a public hearing on March 12, and was reported favorably by the Judiciary Committee. Both chambers passed the bill by May 29, before the legislature adjourned on June 8.
Delaware: Governor JB Pritzker signed both Illinois HB850 and SB8 into law in July 2025. HB850 creates a more transparent and faster process for individuals whose Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) cards are revoked or denied due to a “clear and present danger” determination. The law aims to improve due process for FOID applicants and those appealing denials or revocations.SB8, Known as the Safe Gun Storage Act, it strengthens Illinois’s firearm storage laws by generally requiring firearms to be kept in a locked container or with a trigger or lock device when they might be accessible to a minor, an at-risk individual, or anyone otherwise prohibited from possessing guns.SB 8 also shortens the time to report a lost or stolen firearm from 72 hours to 48 hours and enhances reporting and data collection on lost and stolen guns.
Illinois: Governor JB Pritzker has signed both Illinois House Bill 850 and Senate Bill 8 into law as of July 2025. HB 850 (now Public Act 104‑0010) updates the Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) Card Act so that a person whose FOID card is revoked or denied due to a “clear and present danger” determination must surrender all firearms and submit a detailed firearm ownership form before they can appeal that decision, and they must first exhaust administrative remedies before seeking judicial review. SB8 reduces the time to report a lost or stolen firearm from 72 hours to 48 hours and improves reporting and data collection on lost and stolen guns.
Iowa: Governor Kim Reynolds signs pro-Second Amendment bills into law this legislative session. First, on April 18, she signed HF924, lowering the minimum age for eligibility to 18 to qualify for a Right to Carry permit. SF106, which allowed snowmobilers the right to carry a loaded firearm while on their vehicle, became law on May 6,
Kansas: On April 7, Governor Laura Kelly signed SB137 and HB2052 into law. SB137 authorizes that seized and forfeited firearms seized by the state may be sold to FFL dealers for resale. HB2052 allows holders of provisional licenses (under age 21) to update their license to a standard license upon turning 21 years of age.
Kentucky: The Senate passed SB75, but it died in the House. Kentucky adjourned on March 28.
Louisiana: It was a breath of fresh air for Cajun gun owners when Jeff Landry was inaugurated as Governor on January 8, 2024. Six months later, he signed constitutional carry. Now, in the 2025 legislative session, he continues to support pro-Second Amendment legislation, having signed three pro-Second Amendment bills that took effect on Aug. 1. SB101 enhanced the original Constitutional Carry bill, HB393. Recognizes the rights of bystanders or spectators to carry a concealed handgun at a parade or demonstration, and HB407 allows non-residents to apply for a Louisiana Concealed Carry Permit. The legislature adjourned on June 12.
Maine: Maine’s recent legislative session saw an unprecedented number of firearm-related bills due to a significant federal court decision that declared Maine’s 72-hour waiting period law unconstitutional. Progressive Portland politicians introduced dozens of anti-gun control measures. Pro-gun advocates successfully blocked nearly all gun control proposals while advancing key pro-gun legislation. Three pro-gun bills were successfully signed into law or moved forward in the legislative process.
Pro-gun bills: LD1867 bans assigning specific merchant category codes to firearms, ammunition, and accessories. LD1322 directs the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to expand youth hunting seasons and increase youth hunting initiatives. LD1174 provides liability protections to federal firearm licensees (FFLs) when they enter voluntary firearm hold agreements with veterans and first responders. This protection encourages FFLs to participate in assisting individuals during crisis situations. Governor Janet Mills signed both LD1322 and LD1174 into law, while LD1867 became law without a signature. Six anti-gun bills were successfully defeated.
Passed Anti-Gun Legislation: One anti-gun measure cleared both chambers: LD 1126, known as a “ghost gun bill,” redefines firearms under Maine law to include both finished and unfinished receivers. The bill explicitly mandates that all finished and unfinished frames, receivers, and homemade firearms be serialized by an FFL. However, the bill was not included in the Special Appropriations Table signed by Governor Mills.
Maryland: Several anti-gun bills were introduced, but none were passed. The legislature adjourned on April 7.
Massachusetts: This state has a biennial legislature, and all bills remain active.
Michigan: This state has a biennial legislature, and all bills remain active.
2026 Pre-Legislative Action
Florida: This month, the House Judiciary Committee took an important step for Second Amendment rights by voting 13–7 to advance pro-gun House Bill 133, which aims to restore young adults’ ability to purchase firearms legally. HB 133 now progresses to the full House and will be eligible for a floor vote when the 2026 regular session begins on Jan. 23, 2026, making early outreach to representatives essential. “Remind your representative that Florida’s law-abiding young adults deserve their full Second Amendment rights—vote YES on HB 133. Passing this bill will get the job done NOW!” Although NRA v. Glass is pending before the Supreme Court on certiorari, passing the bill gets it done NOW.
Carry-over actions to 2026
Michigan: HB4980, which would allow filing of a Concealed Pistol License (CPL) application in any county, and HB4284, which would lower the CPL renewal fee from $115 to $30, are on second reading in the House.
New Jersey: During the holiday season, New Jersey’s Democrat-controlled legislature advanced a “lame duck” package of four gun control bills that were a Christmas present to retiring Governor Phil Murphy. It was another attack on Second Amendment rights and a reaction to the Bruen decision. Ir includes S.1425, which unfairly punishes lawful firearms dealers for transfers already cleared by state and federal background checks; A.4975, which criminalizes mere possession of digital files that could be used to manufacture firearms or components illegally; A.4978, which requires the Attorney General to report data on shootings that do not result in bodily injury, seen as a tool to justify future restrictions; and A.4981, which lets courts take additional time—up to seven days after amendment—to decide on pretrial release or detention in firearm cases. New Jersey gun owners need to contact Governor Murphy and ask him to veto all four bills.
North Carolina: The House rescheduled the veto override on SB50 to Janu. 12, 2026.
