On Wednesday, March 30, Governor Doug Ducey (R) signed House Bill 2224 into law. HB 2224 prohibits the state and any political subdivision from levying a fee, tax, assessment or other financial encumbrance on the transfer of a firearm between two private parties who are not prohibited under state or federal law. HB 2224 passed the House of Representatives with a 35-23 vote and the Senate with a 19-10 vote. HB 2224 will go into effect 90 days after the Arizona Legislature adjourns.
The fight in Arizona isn’t over yet! Senate Bill 1266, House Bill 2338, House Bill 2446, and House Bill 2524 are all waiting to be scheduled for third and final read. Additionally, Senate Bill 1257 is still waiting to be considered by the House Rules Committee before proceeding in the legislative process. Please contact your state Representative and state Senator in support of these pro-gun bills!
SB 1266, sponsored by state Senator Steve Smith (R-11), would improve the state firearms preemption law to ensure consistency throughout the Grand Canyon State. This would be done by providing a mechanism to declare unlawful regulations null and void in addition to providing penalties for knowing and willful violations by localities. SB 1266 is a much-needed protection that will help law-abiding gun owners ensure they are in compliance with the law. SB 1266 is pending third and final read in the House of Representatives.
HB 2338 would prevent educational institutions from adopting policies that would prohibit individuals from lawfully possessing or carrying a firearm in their vehicle (means of transportation) on a public right-of-way. HB 2338 is pending third and final read in the Senate.
HB 2446, sponsored by state Representative David Livingston (R-22), makes necessary revisions to Arizona’s current definition of a “prohibited weapon” to exclude all firearms or devices that are legally possessed in compliance with the National Firearms Act (NFA). The technical correction made by HB 2446 changes the registration of NFA items from the Treasury Department to the appropriate Federal Agency in order to be compliant with current federal law. HB 2446 is pending third and final read in the Senate.
HB 2524 would create a “Uniform Firearm Transfer Compact.” Under the compact, every state that agrees to the terms would maintain reliably uniform firearm transfer laws to ensure consistency in public policy. This compact would promote a better public understanding of the law, especially for individuals who travel and establish residences among member states. HB 2524 is pending third and final read in the Senate.
SB 1257, sponsored by state Senator John Kavanagh (R-23), makes changes to existing law and expands the list of places where law-abiding gun owners can exercise their fundamental right to self-defense to include some additional public areas where certain security measures are not in place. SB 1257 is pending consideration by the House Rules Committee to determine whether it is proper for consideration on the House floor.
Once again, please contact your state Representative and state Senator in support of these pro-gun bills! Also, please stay tuned to www.nraila.org and your email inbox for further updates on these bills as they progress through the Arizona Legislature.
More Like This From Around The NRA
