Nearly 300 gun or weapons bills have been introduced in state legislatures in 2022 or carried over from last year. Dozens have passed both the House/Assembly and Senate in their respective states and landed on the governor’s desk. We’ve included a list of the pro- and anti-gun and weapons bills in each state that are at the last step of the legislative process before becoming a law. Read on to find out if your state is one of them.
Alabama
On March 10, the House approved House Bill 272, which would allow anyone who is 21 years old or older and legally permitted to carry a firearm to do so without a permit. The bill went to Gov. Kay Ivey (R) and she signed it the same day, making Alabama the 22nd state to allow permitless, or constitutional, carry. The law will go into effect on January 1, 2023.
“Unlike states who are doing everything in their power to make it harder for law abiding citizens, Alabama is reaffirming our commitment to defending our Second Amendment rights,” Gov. Ivey stated. “I have always stood up for the rights of law abiding gun owners, and I am proud to do that again today.”
On April 7, the House approved HB 2. The bill states that an official, officer, employee or agent of the state or political subdivision, when acting in an official capacity, may not enforce or administer or be ordered, directed or compelled to execute or administer “any executive order issued by the president of the United States which limits or restricts the ownership, use, or possession of firearms, ammunition, or firearm accessories by law-abiding residents of the state.” The bill is now in the hands of Gov. Ivey and awaits her signature or veto.
UPDATE (April 21, 2022): On April 13, Gov. Ivey signed HB 2 into law. It will go into effect on July 1, 2022.
Arizona
On July 6, Gov. Doug Ducey (R) signed Senate Bill 1177 into law. The Arizona Department of Public Safety is now required to send out a reminder and renewal applications forms to permit holders 60 days before they expire.
California
On July 12, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed Assembly Bill 1594 into law. It allows individuals as well as the state and local governments to sue gun manufacturers. It will go into effect on July 1, 2023. He also signed AB 2551 into law on the same day.
He previously signed AB 1621 and AB 2571 into law on June 30. AB 311, AB 2156 and AB 1769 reached his desk on July 11.
UPDATE (July 29, 2022): Gov. Newsom signed SB 1327, SB 915, AB 311, AB 1769 and AB 2156 into law at the end of July.
Colorado
On March 21, the Senate approved HB 1086, which would prohibit a person from openly carrying a firearm within any polling location or central count facility, or within 100 feet of a ballot drop box or any building in which a polling location or central count facility is located, while an election or any related ongoing election administration activity is in progress. On March 31, the Senate passed HB 1168, which would authorize a local education provider to offer a hunter education course to seventh-grade students. On March 31, the House approved HB 1257, which would restrict certain felons from possessing a firearm.
All three bills were sent to Gov. Jared Polis (D) and is awaiting his signature or veto.
UPDATE (April 1, 2022): Gov. Polis signed HB 1086 into law on March 30. It will go into effect on May 29, 2022.
UPDATE (April 8, 2022): Gov. Polis signed HB 1257 into law on April 7. It will go into effect immediately.
UPDATE (April 25, 2022): Gov. Polis signed HB 1168 into law on April 21. It will go into effect on August 10, 2022.
Delaware
On June 16, three gun bills head to Gov. John Carney’s (D) desk. SB 6 would ban any magazines that holds more than 17 rounds of ammunition. HB 450 would restrict certain rifles, shotguns and handguns. HB 423 would establish a Firearm Transaction Approval Program (FTAP) to act as the point of contact between an FFL and the federal databases checked by the FBI for purposes of conducting background checks for firearm purchases or transfers.
UPDATE (July 15, 2022): On June 30, Gov. Carney signed all three bills, including HB 451, SB 302 and SB 8, into law. All of the bills, except SB 6, went into effect on the same day. SB 6 will go into effect on August 29, 2022.
Florida
On June 7, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed HB 1421 into law. It addresses school safety and security recommendations made by the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission (MSD Commission).
“Every child needs a safe and secure learning environment,” DeSantis stated. “By signing HB 1421, we continue to build on the many steps we have taken since 2019 to implement the recommendations of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Public Safety Commission, while also making record investments in mental health and school safety.”
It will go into effect on July 1, 2022.
Georgia
On April 1, 2022, the Senate passed SB 319, which would permit constitutional carry in the state. It nows heads to Gov. Brian Kemp (R) who has indicated that he will sign it into law.
Five days later, the House also sent HB 218 to the governor. It would expand weapons carry license reciprocity in the state.
UPDATE (April 12, 2022): On April 12, Gov. Kemp signed both SB 319 and HB 218 into law. Both bills will go into effect immediately.
“SB 319 makes sure that law-abiding Georgians — law-abiding Georgians, including out daughters and your family too — can protect themselves without having the permission of the state government. The constitution of the United States gives us that right, not the government,” he stated. “HB 218 ensures that individuals who are licensed to carry in another state are also authorized to do so here in Georgia.”
Hawaii
On June 3, Gov. David Ige (D) signed HB 2075 into law. It requires physical inspection of firearms under certain circumstances. The new law will go into effect immediately.
Idaho
SB 1262 would protect gun stores, ranges, other entities and residents during a disaster emergency. “This is an essential bill to protect our citizens’ Second Amendment rights,” Rep. Judy Boyle (R-9), one of the bill’s sponsors, declared. “It recognizes the reality that self-defense is an absolutely essential business, and it protects lawful gun owners from illegitimate and unconstitutional seizures under false pretenses by an overreaching government.”
The House approved the bill on February 23. It was signed by Gov. Brad Little (R) two days later. It will go into effect on July 1, 2022.
HB 705 would amend existing law to provide for certain limitations during a state of extreme emergency. Approved by both legislative bodies, the bill was sent to Gov. Little on March 24. He signed it into law the next day. It will go into effect on July 1, 2022.
Illinois
On April 9, the House passed HB 4383. The bill would ban “ghost guns” in the state. The bill now heads to Gov. JB Pritzker’s (D) desk.
UPDATE (May 19, 2022): On May 18, Gov. Pritzker signed HB 4383 into law. You can read his press release here. The new law will go into effect on November 14, 2022.
Indiana
HB 1296 would repeal the law that requires a person 18 years old or older not prohibited from carrying or possessing a handgun to obtain a license to carry a handgun in Indiana. The bill passed both chambers on March 8.
UPDATE (March 22, 2022): Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) signed it on March 21. It will go into effect on July 1, 2022.
Kansas
HB 2456 would permit the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks to issue a lifetime combination hunting and fishing license to any child who is a resident of the state. The bill was approved by the legislature on March 31. It is now in the hands of Gov. Laura Kelly (D).
UPDATE (April 21, 2022): On April 13, Gov. Kelly signed HB 2456 into law. It will go into effect on July 1, 2022.
Kentucky
Sen. Johnnie Turner (R-29) attached an amendment to HB 690 that would allow any attorney employed by the Department of Law or licensed to practice law in the state to carry a concealed weapon at all locations if the attorney holds a license to carry a concealed weapon. The House approved the bill and deliver it to Gov. Andy Beshear (D) on March 30, 2022.
“Licensed attorneys in good standing with the Kentucky State Bar Association should be awarded the same rights and protections as other officers of the court,” Sen. Turner stated.
UPDATE (April 12, 2022): On April 11, Gov. Beshear vetoed HB 690. You can read his veto message here.
Louisiana
On June 18, Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) signed SB 143 (Act 680). The new law will permit military veterans and active-duty troops in Louisiana to concealed carry without permits or a training requirement. It will go into effect on August 1, 2022.
Maryland
The House approved SB 387 on March 29, which would ban “ghost guns.” The bill is now in the hands of Gov. Larry Hogan (R). The governor’s spokesperson said that Gov. Hogan will consider this legislation but “he continues to call on the General Assembly to take action to hold those who use guns to commit violent crimes accountable.”
HB 1021 would prohibit a licensed firearms dealer from conducting business and storing firearms at a location unless the premises on which the licensed dealer operates is equipped with specified security features or outside business hours the licensed dealer locks all firearms stored on the premises in a vault, a safe or a room or building that meets specified requirements. The Senate approved the bill on March 31. It arrived to Gov. Hogan’s desk and is awaiting his signature or veto.
UPDATE (April 8, 2022): On April 8, Gov. Hogan tweeted: “I have informed the General Assembly that I am allowing legislation regarding untraceable firearms [SB 387] to take effect without signature. It is a positive step as we seek to stem the tide of violent crime — but it does nothing to penalize those who actually pull the trigger on firearms.” It will go into effect on June 1, 2022.
UPDATE (April 11, 2022): On April 8, Gov. Hogan vetoed HB 1021.“This legislation was fast-tracked in the Senate, where there was essentially no opportunity for the public to weigh in,” he stated in his memo, “and reasonable amendments that would have made the bill more palatable for the industry and stakeholders were essentially ignored and discarded without meaningful consideration.” However, the General Assembly overrode his veto and passed into into law. It will go into effect on October 1, 2022.
Michigan
SB 11 would require county clerks to continue to process concealed pistol licenses even if the the governor issues or declares a state of emergency or state of disaster. The House approved the bill on March 10.
UPDATE (March 22, 2022): Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) vetoed it on March 21.
New Hampshire
On June 17, Gov. Chris Sununu (R) signed HB 1636 into law. It permits any person not prohibited from possessing a firearm to carry a loaded pistol or revolver on an OHRV or snowmobile. The law will go into effect on June 17, 2022.
New Mexico
HB 68 would increase the penalty for unlawful possession of a handgun. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) signed the bill into law on March 9.
“Every New Mexican deserves to feel safe in their communities — and they are demanding action from their government,” Gov. Grisham stated. “House Bill 68 expands upon the transformational work we’ve done in previous years, strengthening our state’s public safety system and making streets safer in every New Mexico community.”
The effective date of the provisions of Sections 21, 22 and 33 through 35 of the act is July 1, 2022. The effective date of the provisions of Sections 2 through 6 and 7 through 20 of the act is July 1, 2023.
New York
On June 6, Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) signed a package of 10 bills into law in response to the tragic shootings in Buffalo, New York, and Uvalde, Texas. The most notable, S.9458, restricts anyone under the age of 21 from purchasing a semi-automatic rifle. It will go into effect on September 4, 2022.
On July 1, in response to the Supreme Court’s ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen, Gov. Hochul signed S.51001/A.41001 into law. The law will take effect on September 1, 2022.
UPDATE (August 30, 2022): On August 16, Gov. Hochul signed S.687/A.3998 into law. It bans imitation weapons unless they are easily identifiable: they cannot be black, blue, silver or aluminum, and must be colored white, bright red, bright orange, bright yellow, bright green, bright blue, bright pink, bright purple, or be made entirely of transparent or translucent materials. The law will take effect on November 14, 2022.
New Jersey
On June 29, a package of nine guns bills headed to Gov. Phil Murphy’s (D) desk. Some of the measures include regulating ammunition sales, prohibiting certain .50 caliber rifles and more. On July 5, he signed seven of the bills into law.
North Carolina
On July 11, Gov. Roy Cooper (D) vetoed HB 49. The bill would provide that a concealed carry permittee who allows his or her permit to lapse does not have to take another firearms safety and training course upon applying for renewal under certain conditions.
“Requiring sheriffs to waive firearm safety and training courses for those who let their concealed weapons permit lapse,” Gov. Copper declared in his veto message, “is yet another way Republicans are working to chip away at commonsense gun safety measures that exist in North Carolina.”
Ohio
SB 215 would allow permitless carry in the Buckeye State. Gun owners 21 years old or older legally permitted to own a gun would no longer need to obtain a license to carry a concealed weapon. On March 2, the permitless carry bill passed through both the House and Senate and landed on Gov. Mike DeWine’s desk (R). He signed the bill into law on March 14. It will go into effect on June 12, 2022.
UPDATE (June 6, 2022): Gov. DeWine announced that he intends to sign HB 99 into law, which would significantly lower the number of hours of training teachers and school personnel would need to complete in order to carry a firearm.
UPDATE (June 28, 2022): On June 13, Gov. DeWine signed HB 99 into law. It will go into effect on September 12, 2022.
Pennsylvania
HB 979 would provide for better enforcement of Pennsylvania’s current state preemption over local firearms and ammunition regulations. It would do this by amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for limitation on the regulation of firearms and ammunition and, in preemptions, providing for regulation of firearms and ammunition.
The bill hit Gov. Tom Wolf’s (D) desk on January 27. Seven days later, he vetoed it.
“This legislation is an attack on local government who take action to find commonsense solutions to gun violence,” Gov. Wolf stated in his veto message, “and is yet another bill that shows indifference to the safety of Pennsylvanians.” You can read his entire statement here.
Rhode Island
On 21, Gov. Dan McKee (D) signed three anti-gun bills into law. H. 6614A bans magazines that contain more than 10 rounds of ammunition. H. 7457 raises the age to purchase firearms or ammunition to 21. H. 7358A prohibits open carry of loaded rifles or shotguns in public. All three bills go into effect immediately.
South Dakota
Three gun bills have been delivered to Gov. Kristi Noem (R) and await her final approval before becoming laws. SB 195 would give a person who justifiably uses or threatens to use force immunity from criminal prosecution and civil liability. HB 1162 would amend some of the terms used surrounding firearms. SB 212 would revise certain fees collected by the South Dakota’s Office of the Secretary of State.
UPDATE (March 22, 2022): Gov. Noem signed all three bills into law. SB 212 will go into effect on July 1, 2022.
Utah
SB 115 would address the firearm preemption statute in the state. “We are committed to protecting the Second Amendment rights defined in the U.S. Constitution by our founding fathers,” Sen. Chris Wilson (R-25), one of the bill’s two sponsors, stated. He said the most important duty of state legislators is to “preserve Utah’s freedoms, including the freedom to bear arms without unnecessary government interference.” Approved on February 22, the bill is awaiting Gov. Spencer Cox’s (R) final stamp of approval.
UPDATE (March 25, 2022): Gov. Spencer Cox (R) signed the bill into law on March 24, 2022. It will go into effect on July 1, 2022.
Vermont
S. 30 would prohibit the possession of firearms within hospital buildings and increase the waiting period for background checks. Democratic lawmakers claim the bill would close the “Charleston Loophole.” It passed both the House and Senate and was delivered to Gov. Phil Scott (R) on February 16. Despite a spokesperson stating Gov. Scott would consider legislation to close the “loophole,” he vetoed the bill six days later.
“I’m open to a discussion about improving existing law to address the so-called ‘Charleston Loophole,’” Gov. Scott stated in his veto memo. “S. 30 increases that timeframe from three days to an unlimited amount of time without acknowledging that an application expires in 30 days … I believe going from three to effectively 30 days is excessive and unreasonable for law-abiding citizens who wish to purchase a firearm for their own personal safety or for other lawful and constitutionally protected purposes.” You can read his entire memo here.
UPDATE (March 18, 2022): The Vermont Senate committee approved a compromise bill, S. 4, which would change the maximum waiting period to seven days. It was approved by both the Senate and House. It now heads to Gov. Scott.
UPDATE (March 28, 2022): On March 25, Gov. Scott signed S. 4 into law. It will go into effect on July 1, 2022.
Virginia
SB 8 would permit hunting on Sunday on public or private land, so long as it takes place more than 200 yards from a place of worship. The bill passed the House on March 7, and now is in the hands of Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R).
UPDATE (April 6, 2022): On April 5, Gov. Youngkin signed SB 8 into law. It will go into effect on July 1, 2022.
Washington
Four gun bills have landed on Gov. Jay Inslee’s (D) desk. HB 1705 would limit “ghost guns,” including untraceable firearms and untraceable unfinished frames and receivers that can be used to manufacture or assemble untraceable firearms. SB 5078 would prohibit “large-capacity magazines” or rifle and pistol magazines that hold 10 or more rounds. HB 1630 would restriction the possession of weapons in certain locations. HB 1901 would update laws concerning civil protection orders, infringing on firearm rights.
Gov. Inslee has indicated that he plans to sign SB 5078 into law. “I’ve been a long supporter of making sure we don’t have military equipment on our streets, including these high-capacity magazines which have only one purpose, and that’s warfare,” he stated. “We do not need weapons of war on our streets and I’ll be signing that legislation.”
UPDATE (March 23, 2022): Gov. Inslee signed HB 1630, HB 1705 and SB 5078 into law. All three laws will go into effect on July 1, 2022.
UPDATE (April 21, 2022): On March 31, Gov. Inslee signed HB 1901 into law. It will go into effect on July 1, 2022.
West Virginia
HB 4048, also known as the “WV Keep, Bear and Drive with Arms Act,” permits individuals to lawfully possess loaded long guns in their vehicles. The bill arrived at Gov. Jim Justice’s (R) office on March 3. He signed the bill into law six days later. It will go into effect on May 24, 2022.
Wisconsin
AB 518 would permit a non-resident to carry a concealed weapon in the same manner as a Wisconsin licensee if he or she has a valid license issued by another state. It would remove the requirement that the issuing state be on a list maintained by the Department of Justice. AB 495 would allow a permit holder, under certain circumstances, to possess a loaded firearm on school grounds. Both bills were sent to Gov. Tony Evers (D) on April 4, 2022.
UPDATE (April 8, 2022): On April 8, Gov. Evers vetoed both AB 518 and AB 495.
UPDATE (April 21, 2022): On April 15, Gov. Evers vetoed SB 585, which would limit civil liability for firearm, firearm accessory and ammunition manufacturers, distributors, importers, trade associations, sellers and dealers.