Guns Bills and Firearm Laws to Watch in 2026

Why Gun Owners Should Pay Attention to 2026 Gun Legislation

Gun laws change frequently, and 2026 is shaping up to be another important year for firearm legislation across the United States. Several states are considering new restrictions on semi-automatic firearms, magazine capacity and ammunition access. At the same time, federal legislation and voter-approved measures are creating new rules affecting gun owners, veterans and firearm purchases.

Staying informed about these changes is essential. New laws can affect how firearms are purchased, transported, stored and carried. Some proposals would expand assault weapon bans, while others create new permit requirements or extreme risk protection order systems.

Below is a breakdown of gun bills and firearm laws to watch in 2026, including federal provisions already passed and state legislation that could significantly impact gun owners if enacted.

Federal and State Gun Laws and Bills to Watch in 2026

The following table summarizes the most significant federal and state firearm laws and proposed gun bills that could affect gun owners in 2026.

Federal Firearm Legislation Affecting Gun Owners

These federal provisions are already enacted.

One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA)

In May 2025, Congress passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which included provisions affecting firearms, including removing suppressors from certain federal regulatory requirements and reducing associated tax and compliance burdens. The law is now in effect.

Veterans’ Second Amendment Protections

A federal appropriations package passed in late 2025 includes provisions protecting veterans’ firearms rights by requiring additional due process before the Department of Veterans Affairs may report a veteran with a fiduciary to the federal prohibited persons system. These protections are expected to be fully implemented in 2026.

State Gun Laws Taking Effect in 2026

These laws have already passed or have been approved.

Virginia Gun Bills Signed by the Governor

House Bill 217 / Senate Bill 749
House Bill 217 and Senate Bill 749 ban the purchase, sale, manufacture, importation or transfer of certain firearms defined as “assault firearms.” The bills also prohibit the sale or transfer of certain large-capacity ammunition feeding devices and impose a three-year prohibition on purchasing, possessing or transporting firearms for persons convicted of violating the law.

Senate Bill 323 / House Bill 40
Senate Bill 323 and House Bill 40 prohibit the manufacture, importation, purchase, sale, transfer or possession of certain plastic firearms, unfinished frames or receivers, and unserialized firearms. The bills also create penalties for firearms that cannot be detected by common security screening devices and impose additional restrictions on unserialized firearms and unfinished frames or receivers.

House Bill 1525
House Bill 1525 adds exceptions for persons younger than 18 to possess or transport handguns or assault firearms in certain circumstances anywhere in Virginia. It also makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for persons younger than 21 to purchase a handgun or assault firearm anywhere in the state.

House Bill 110 / Senate Bill 496
House Bill 110 and Senate Bill 496 require a person leaving a handgun in an unattended vehicle to securely store it in a locked hard-sided container, including a locked glove compartment or center console. The bills make a violation a Class 4 misdemeanor, with certain exceptions, including for a person who reports the firearm stolen or lost to law enforcement.

House Bill 626 / Senate Bill 272
House Bill 626 and Senate Bill 272 limit the exemption that allows firearms or explosive materials in buildings owned or operated by public institutions of higher education. Under the bills, the exemption would apply only to individuals participating in certain approved educational or organizational activities authorized through the institution’s law enforcement or public-safety unit.

House Bill 229 / Senate Bill 173
House Bill 229 and Senate Bill 173 make it a Class 1 misdemeanor to knowingly possess a firearm or certain other weapons in the building of a hospital that provides mental health or developmental services, including an emergency department or other facility rendering emergency medical care. The bills require notice of the prohibition to be posted at public entrances, provide certain exceptions and allow prohibited weapons to be seized and forfeited.

House Bill 871 / Senate Bill 348
House Bill 871 and Senate Bill 348 require a person who possesses a firearm in a residence where the person knows a minor or prohibited person is present to store the firearm and its ammunition in a locked container, compartment or cabinet that is inaccessible to that person. The bills make a violation a Class 4 misdemeanor and also require dealers to post written notice of the penalty.

House Bill 909
House Bill 909 prohibits most people from knowingly carrying a firearm within 100 feet of the entrance to a polling place and certain other locations used for voting-related and election-related activities. The bill also extends existing polling-place conduct restrictions to locations where in-person absentee voting is available.

These are only a handful of the gun bills passed by the Virginia General Assembly in one of the most sweeping packages of gun laws the Commonwealth has seen in years. We’ve highlighted these because they are among those most likely to have an immediate impact on gun owners. To stay up to date on what has been signed into law, check out “Virginia’s New Gun Laws: What Gun Owners Need to Know in 2026.”

Colorado Gun Laws Taking Effect

Senate Bill 25-003, Firearms Safety Course Eligibility Card Requirement
Beginning August 1, 2026, individuals who want to purchase most specified semi-automatic firearms, including certain rifles and certain handguns with detachable magazines, must first obtain a Firearms Safety Course Eligibility Card. To receive the card, the applicant must complete a background check and a state-approved firearms safety course. This creates a permit-to-purchase requirement for covered semi-automatic firearms.

Ammunition Age and Retail Storage Requirements
Beginning July 1, 2026, the minimum age to purchase ammunition in Colorado increases to 21. The law also requires ammunition to be stored behind a counter or in enclosed displays that require employee assistance for access.

Maine ‘Red Flag’ Law

Question 2, Extreme Risk Protection Order Law
In November 2025, Maine voters approved Question 2, establishing a formal Extreme Risk Protection Order system. The law authorizes law enforcement officers, family members and household members to petition a court for an order temporarily prohibiting an individual from purchasing or possessing firearms if the person is found to pose a significant risk of harm to themselves or others.

Courts may issue emergency orders prior to a full hearing when there is an immediate risk. Orders may be renewed upon further judicial review. The law took effect in 2026 and is enforceable statewide.

Rhode Island Assault Weapon Ban

Rhode Island Assault Weapons Ban Act of 2025 (S 359)
Gov. Dan McKee (D) signed S 359 into law last year. It will take effect on July 1, 2026. The Rhode Island Assault Weapons Ban Act of 2025 restricts the manufacture, sale, purchase and possession of so-called assault weapons. It includes exemptions for firearms lawfully owned before that date.

Gun Control Bills Proposed in 2026 Legislative Sessions

These are proposals, not yet law.

Minnesota Proposed Gun Ban

Assault Weapons Ban Proposal
Lawmakers in Minnesota have announced plans to introduce a bill that would ban assault weapons. The proposal is part of the renewed 2026 legislative session agenda, with supporters framing it as a gun violence prevention measure. Specific bill number and text details are expected as the session progresses.

New Jersey Gun Bills to Watch

Senate Bill S2309
Although New Jersey already has an assault weapons ban, Senate Bill S2309 would expand the legal definition of prohibited assault weapons. Under the bill, semi-automatic rifles, shotguns and pistols with detachable magazines and certain features would fall under the ban with fewer criteria required to trigger prohibition.

Assembly Bill A442
Similar to S2309, Assembly Bill A442 would revise and broaden New Jersey’s existing assault weapons ban definitions, making more semi-automatic firearms meet the criteria for prohibited assault weapons by lowering the number of features needed to qualify.

What These Gun Bills Could Mean for Responsible Gun Owners

The firearm legislation emerging across the country in 2026 reflects several policy trends. Gun owners may see changes ranging from:

• Permit-to-purchase requirements for certain firearms
• Expanded assault weapon definitions
• Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) laws
• Ammunition purchase and storage restrictions

One common trend is the expansion of permit-to-purchase systems. For example, Colorado’s new requirement for a Firearms Safety Course Eligibility Card adds an additional step before purchasing some firearms. Laws like this often require background checks, training or state approval before a firearm purchase can proceed.

Another area seeing increased legislative attention is the definition of “assault weapons.” Several states are proposing bills that would expand or revise how semi-automatic rifles, pistols and shotguns are classified. These proposals typically focus on firearm features such as detachable magazines, folding stocks or magazine capacity limits. If enacted, these changes could affect which firearms may be sold, transferred or newly purchased in those states.

Some states are also expanding the use of Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) or so-called red flag laws. These laws allow courts to temporarily prohibit firearm possession if a person is determined to pose a significant risk to themselves or others. Maine’s newly approved ERPO system is one example.

Legislation affecting ammunition access and purchasing requirements is beginning to appear in several states. Colorado’s increase in the minimum age to purchase ammunition and new retail storage requirements illustrate how firearm regulations may extend beyond the firearms themselves.

Some measures are already scheduled to take effect, while others remain proposals that could advance during legislative sessions throughout the year. Awareness is the first step toward compliance and preparedness. Staying informed about gun laws, firearm legislation and proposed gun control bills helps ensure you understand how new rules may affect your rights and responsibilities.

2026 Gun Law FAQs

What gun laws are changing in 2026?
Several states are considering new firearm restrictions in 2026, including permit-to-purchase systems, expanded assault weapon bans and extreme risk protection order laws.

Which states are proposing assault weapon bans?
Proposals in 2026 include legislation in Minnesota, Virginia and New Jersey.