Legislation
Governor Hochul Highlights Increased Support for Gun Safety Legislation
New York Governor Kathy Hochul is garnering support from local law enforcement for proposals to strengthen the state's gun laws. District attorneys, county sheriffs and police chiefs joined Hochul to discuss their shared backing of measures that would further restrict firearm access and ownership.
Virginia Poised to Ban Sale of Assault Weapons
The Virginia General Assembly has passed legislation that seeks to ban the sale and production of assault weapons, as well as prohibit carrying them in public. The bill, which is now headed to Governor Glenn Youngkin's desk, is part of a broader package of gun regulations.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife Implements New Semiautomatic Firearm Safety Program
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is preparing to implement a new state firearms safety program requiring training and permits for semiautomatic firearm purchases, set to launch August 1, 2026.
Virginia Legislature Advances Major Gun Regulation Bills in Democratic-Led Session
Virginia's Democratic-controlled legislature has advanced 18 gun regulation bills since January 2026, with 12 already clearing both chambers. The effort marks a significant shift in the state's historically permissive firearms policy.
Texas Officials Address Firearms in Domestic Violence Following Recent Tragedy
A murder-suicide in San Antonio has renewed focus on the link between domestic violence, firearms access, and prevention policy, with both Democrats and Republicans proposing responses including a state taskforce.
Georgia Lawmakers Debate Silencer Legalization as Gun Safety Bills Face Stalemate
Georgia lawmakers are debating proposals to legalize firearm silencers while separate gun safety bills have stalled in the state legislature, reflecting competing legislative priorities.
Georgia Lawmakers Debate Silencer Legalization as Gun Safety Bills Stall
Georgia lawmakers are divided over a bill to remove restrictions on firearm silencers, with the debate occurring as other gun safety measures face obstacles in the legislative process.
Virginia Democrats Pass 12 Gun Restriction Bills, With More Pending
Virginia's Democratic-controlled legislature has passed 12 bills restricting gun rights this year, including an assault weapons ban. Gov. Abigail Spanberger has 10 bills awaiting her decision while two more await enrollment.
Florida Proposes College Staff as Armed Campus 'Guardians' in Latest Campus Safety Debate
Florida lawmakers are debating a bill that would permit trained college staff members to serve as armed 'guardians' on campus, representing one approach to campus security as the legislature nears the end of its 2026 session.
Georgia Lawmakers Debate Silencer Legalization as Gun Safety Bills Stall
Georgia lawmakers are debating a controversial proposal to legalize firearm silencers, even as the state's gun safety legislative efforts have stalled in recent sessions.
Georgia Lawmakers Weigh Silencer Legalization as Gun Safety Measures Stall
Georgia legislators debate silencer legalization while gun safety bills face delays, reflecting ongoing tensions in the state where gun violence claims over 2,000 lives annually.
Virginia Democrats Pass 12 Gun Restriction Bills in 2026 Legislative Session
Virginia's Democratic-controlled legislature has advanced 12 bills restricting gun rights, including a proposed assault weapons ban, as the state moves toward becoming the 11th with such restrictions.
California Courts Now Consider Gun Restriction Violations in Custody Decisions
A new California law effective January 1, 2026, allows courts to consider violations of firearm restrictions as a factor when determining child custody in domestic violence divorce cases.
Colorado Implements New Gun Safety Training Program as Regulations Expand
Colorado is rolling out a new gun safety education program for semiautomatic firearm purchases, with public meetings scheduled to explain the requirements as advocates on both sides of the debate voice concerns.
Louisiana 2026 Legislative Agenda Includes Major Campus Gun Policy Bills
Louisiana lawmakers are considering multiple bills in the 2026 session that would reshape campus gun laws, as part of a broader legislative agenda addressing workplace safety, criminal justice, and regulatory oversight.
Connecticut Governor Lamont Proposes Ban on Convertible Handguns
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont is seeking legislation to ban sales of handguns that can be converted into automatic weapons, targeting what supporters say are weapons susceptible to illegal modification.
Florida Legislature Unanimously Passes Bill Enhancing Penalties for Repeat Domestic Violence Offenders
The Florida House and Senate unanimously approved legislation to strengthen penalties for individuals with multiple domestic violence convictions, addressing growing concerns about repeat offenders and victim safety.
Minnesota Gun Safety Bill Co-Written by Students Stalls in House, Heads to Senate
A Minnesota gun safety bill co-authored by high school students has advanced from the House following a lockdown drill at Edina High School in December 2025. The measure now faces consideration in the state Senate.
Minnesota Student-Co-Authored Gun Safety Bill Advances to Senate After House Stall
A Minnesota gun safety bill co-authored by students who experienced active shooter drills advances to the Senate, representing youth-driven advocacy on school safety.
Utah Legislature Approves Campus Gun Policy Banning Open Carry While Easing Concealed Carry Rules
Utah's legislature has given final approval to legislation reshaping gun policies on college campuses, banning open carry while making it easier for eligible individuals to carry concealed weapons.
Utah Legislature Advances Campus Gun Policy Overhaul, Banning Open Carry
Utah's legislature cleared a proposal to reshape campus gun policy by banning open carry while streamlining concealed carry procedures at colleges, reflecting broader state debates over campus security approaches.
Hawaii Lawmakers Push to Increase Use of Lethal Means Safety Law for Crisis Situations
Hawaii lawmakers are seeking to improve awareness and utilization of a lethal means safety law that allows temporary firearm removal for people in mental health crises, recognizing the law remains underutilized due to limited public knowledge.
Hawaii Lawmakers Consider Red Flag Law as Awareness Efforts Expand
Hawaiian legislators are examining extreme risk protection order legislation, with advocates noting a lack of public awareness about existing emergency intervention tools available to remove firearms during mental health crises.
Wyoming Second Amendment Protection Act Passes Legislature Despite Law Enforcement Opposition
Wyoming's Second Amendment Protection Act cleared both chambers of the Legislature despite widespread opposition from state police agencies and sheriffs concerned about impacts on domestic violence and firearm removal protocols.
Federal Court Upholds Connecticut's Gun Safety Laws Restricting Open Carry and Handgun Purchases
A federal court upheld Connecticut's gun safety laws restricting open carry and limiting handgun purchases to three per 30-day period, blocking a legal challenge filed by plaintiffs seeking to overturn the regulations.
Colorado Advances Gun Control Bills Targeting 3D-Printed Firearms and Barrel Sales
Colorado lawmakers have moved forward with legislation to ban 3D-printed firearms and impose new restrictions on gun barrel sales, advancing measures aimed at closing perceived loopholes in existing regulations.
West Virginia Senate Panel Advances Bill to Ease Domestic Violence Gun Prohibitions
The West Virginia Senate Judiciary Committee advanced legislation that would allow individuals accused of domestic violence to retain firearms under certain circumstances, alongside a separate measure on machine gun sales.
U.S. Supreme Court Upholds Maryland's Gun Seizure Law for Felons
The Supreme Court has declined to overturn a Maryland state court ruling that permits gun seizure from individuals sentenced to two years or more in prison.
U.S. Supreme Court Upholds Maryland's Gun Seizure Law for Convicted Felons
The U.S. Supreme Court declined to overturn Maryland's law allowing gun seizure from individuals convicted of crimes carrying sentences of two or more years, marking a significant validation of state-level gun restriction authority.
New Bipartisan Coalition Develops Gun Policy Package for Wisconsin and Beyond
A newly formed national group bringing together gun rights supporters and gun control advocates has developed a package of firearms laws they believe could pass in Wisconsin and other states, seeking middle ground in polarized gun debates.
Bipartisan Coalition Seeks Common Ground on Wisconsin Gun Policy
A new national group bringing together gun rights supporters and gun control advocates is proposing a package of legislation aimed at finding legislative consensus on gun policy, with hopes of advancing the agenda in Wisconsin and other states.
Wyoming Senate Panel Advances Bills to Allow 18-Year-Olds to Carry Firearms on University Campuses
A Wyoming Senate committee has forwarded multiple bills that would permit freshmen and other 18-year-olds to carry concealed weapons on University of Wyoming campuses, opening a new debate over campus firearm policies.
Virginia Advances Safe Storage Legislation as Part of Gun Violence Prevention Package
Virginia lawmakers advance safe storage and gun violence prevention legislation, with bills emphasizing the importance of securing firearms in households with children.
Utah Legislature Rejects Safe Firearm Storage Bill HB 80
Utah's legislature rejected House Bill 80, which would have established the state's first safe firearm storage law. Supporters argue the measure represents common-sense policy to prevent gun violence.
Maine Joins 21 States as Red Flag Law Takes Effect
Maine's new extreme risk protection order law, approved by voters in November 2025, became effective on February 21, 2026, expanding the state's gun safety measures and joining the growing list of states with similar legislation.
Colorado Legislation Targets 3D-Printed "Ghost" Guns and Firearm Dealers
Colorado lawmakers are advancing multiple gun control bills targeting 3D-printed "ghost" guns, firearm barrels, and dealer regulations in response to growing national concerns about untraceable weapons.
New Hampshire House Rejects Red Flag Law Proposal During Mental Health Crisis Interventions Debate
New Hampshire's House of Representatives voted to reject a bill that would have created extreme risk protection orders allowing courts to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed a danger during mental health crises.
New Jersey Gun Crime Laws Impose Criminal Penalties for Unsafe Firearm Storage
New Jersey law imposes criminal penalties on adults who allow minors under 16 to access loaded firearms that are not properly stored. The statutes establish strict liability requirements for firearm owners.
Michigan Red Flag Law Orders Surge to Over 400 in 2025
Michigan's extreme risk protection order law saw a significant increase in usage, with 407 orders issued in 2025 compared to approximately 307 the prior year, according to the state's annual judicial report.